The Brisbane Lions host the Melbourne Demons in the AFLW grand final in the unusual location of Springfield in Queensland. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2:40pm (AEDT).
Separated by the slimmest of margins come season’s end, the number one and two ranked teams have advanced successfully through the finals and now meet in the last match of the AFLW season.
The Lions will enter the contest as favourites, yet the Demons have compiled yet another fine season and will be inspired by club legend Daisy Pearce, in what could well be her final game.
After a season where 18 teams competed for the first time, it is no surprise that Brisbane and Melbourne will fight for the trophy. Both teams are stacked with immense talent. TheLions have climbed the mountain previously, yet Melbourne will be looking for its first piece of AFLW silverware.
In Round 4, it was the Lions who reigned over the Dees, yet revenge will be on the minds of a team determined to repeat the performance that saw them beat Brisbane in the preliminary final of the first 2022 season.
Ally Anderson and Emily Bates will bring all their class and poise to the contest for the Lions, whilst Tayla Harris and Pearce will have to be influential for the Demons, should they be able to cause an upset and beat a quality Brisbane team on home soil.
Elsewhere, Jesse Wardlaw looks a potential match-winner in the forward line for the Lions, with Kate Hore hoping for a similarly profitable day in front of goal for the Demons. Both teams will enter the match with unchanged line-ups from their preliminary final triumphs.
Tickets for the match sold out in quick time and a capacity crowd will be cheering on the Lions, in the hope of a second premiership for the club. Emotion will be riding high and Melbourne’s back end of the season suggests they could well cause the Lions a few problems and create what could turn into a classic encounter.
Prediction
Only a fool would tip against Brisbane heading into a grand final in their own backyard and after another superb table-topping season. There will be moments where the Dees challenge, yet the overall class and precision of the Lions will see them reign across four-quarters, with goals aplenty along the way.
Lions by 22 points.
Venue: Brighton Homes Arena, Springfield, Queensland
First Bounce: Sunday 27th November 2022, 2.40pm (AEDT)
TV: Channel 7, Fox Footy
Streaming: 7 Plus, Foxtel Go, Kayo Sports
Betting: Brisbane $1.45 Melbourne $2.85 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Brisbane
B: S.Campbell 20 P.Monahan 11
HB: B.Koenen – C 3 N.Grider 10 J.Ellenger 5
C: O.O’Dwyer 9 E.Bates 1 S.Conway 12
HF: C.Hodder 21 D.Davidson 14 I.Dawes 17
F: J.Wardlaw 30 G.Bodey 15
Foll: T.Hickie 2 C.Svarc 25 A.Anderson 18
I/C: K.Lutkins 13 D.Heslop 23 T.Smith 31 M.Pauga 27 R.Svarc 29
Emerg: L.Pullar 24 Z.Farquharson 22 S.Webb 4
Melbourne
B: L.Birch 9 T.Gillard 17
HB: S.Heath 30 M.Gay 3 S.Goldrick 23
C: S.Lampard 8 T.Hanks 5 B.Mackin 31
HF: A.Bannan 16 K.Paxman 4 K.Hore 10
F: D.Pearce – C 6 T.Harris 7
Foll: L.Pearce 15 O.Purcell 2 E.West 11
I/C: M.Chaplin 13 C.Sherriff 18 L.Mithen 14 E.Zanker 29 M.Fitzsimon 24
Emerg: C.Wilson 20 J.Ivey 19 M.Caris 21
Wes P
Roar Rookie
Yeah thrilling. 19pts v 15 and Stuart Thomas posting into a Netherland. I'm so excited
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Thrilled for Daisy and the other Melb players incl. Tayla Harris. Against the odds win.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
It's a very Red n Blue year.
The Hulk
Guest
It’s not all doom and gloom for the Victorian Liberal Party. Their team just got up.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Today was Melbourne's and the narrative around Daisy Pearce, along with the sheer determination showed on the field, saw the better team win. Plenty to think about for Brisbane, as favourites, they were outplayed and humbled on the biggest stage of all. FInal Score Brisbane Lions..……………………...2..3...15 Melbourne Demons...………………2..7...19
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the game, it was a treat to bring it to you. Emotional scenes in Springfield. Even Homer would be in tears! Brisbane Lions..……………………...2..3...15 Melbourne Demons...………………2..7...19
Stuart Thomas
Expert
What a brilliant win for the Demons, against the odds and on the road. Daisy Pearce very emotional after the win and that seems like the perfect moment to sign off as a pioneer in Australian football. Brisbane Lions..……………………...2..3...15 Melbourne Demons...………………2..7...19
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The defensive pressure of the Demons simply shut down the attack of the favoured Lions, with the locals only managing two goals for the game and none after quarter-time. Brisbane Lions..……………………...2..3...15 Melbourne Demons...………………2..7...19
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME The Melbourne Demons are AFLW champions and Daisy Pearce finally has what she deserved. Brisbane Lions..……………………...2..3...15 Melbourne Demons...………………2..7...19
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME The Demons have won the grand final!!!!!! The clock runs out of time for the Lions after the Demons dominated the final three terms of what was a tough and brutal game. Brisbane Lions..……………………...2..3...15 Melbourne Demons...………………2..7...19
Stuart Thomas
Expert
15' Bannan looking for the goal off the deck, the ball is eventually rushed for a point. Brisbane Lions..……………………...2..3...15 Melbourne Demons...………………2..7...19
Stuart Thomas
Expert
14' The Lions go around the outer side yet cannot find a target and the Demons have a free in the back half. Brisbane Lions..……………………...2..3...15 Melbourne Demons...………………2..6...18
Stuart Thomas
Expert
14' Zanker's kick is good but punched over the line for a point. Brisbane Lions..……………………...2..3...15 Melbourne Demons...………………2..6...18
Stuart Thomas
Expert
13' Hore marks for Melbourne and game management is key here. She hits Zanker 35 out from goal. Brisbane Lions..……………………...2..3...15 Melbourne Demons...………………2..5....17
Stuart Thomas
Expert
12' Sherriff takes the mark after a mad minute on the near wing. Melbourne now find West, she kicks inside 50. Brisbane Lions..……………………...2..3...15 Melbourne Demons...………………2..5....17
Stuart Thomas
Expert
11' Hore and Birch do well on the near side before Mackin is caught with it. Brisbane Lions..……………………...2..3...15 Melbourne Demons...………………2..5....17
Stuart Thomas
Expert
10' Brilliant tackling by West in midfield. The Demons just keep turning up and the Lions are caught holding it in defence. Brisbane Lions..……………………...2..3...15 Melbourne Demons...………………2..5....17
Stuart Thomas
Expert
9' Birch kicks long and then Harris marks on the near wing for the Demons. Brisbane Lions..……………………...2..3...15 Melbourne Demons...………………2..5....17
Stuart Thomas
Expert
9' Paxman is down and in awful trouble. A brief pause before she leaves the field. Brisbane Lions..……………………...2..3...15 Melbourne Demons...………………2..5....17
Stuart Thomas
Expert
9' Brisbane now with some space on the open side. The kick inside 50 is poor and the Demons can smell the finish line. Brisbane Lions..……………………...2..3...15 Melbourne Demons...………………2..5....17