Collingwood Magpies vs Brisbane Lions: Lions miss finals chance

The Collingwood Magpies have had to wait until the final day of the 2019 AFLW season, but they have picked up their first victory, getting the better of the Brisbane Lions by six points at Princess Park.

For the Lions, it was a must-win game if they were to play finals footy, and despite dominating the second half in both possession and territory, they couldn’t find enough quality opportunities, or get their kicking accuracy right to come over the top of a gallant Magpies defensive effort, led by Ash Brazill.

Brazill was incredible at the back, after the lead in the first half was set up by Sarah D’Arcy, who finished with over 20 disposals and a couple of goals to boot.

Final score
Collingwood Magpies 3.7 (25)
Brisbane Lions 2.7 (19)

Match preview:

The Collingwood Magpies and Brisbane Lions will clash on the final day of the AFLW season at Princess Park, with the visitors still a chance at making the finals. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2:05pm (AEDT).

While the AFLW conference system has been criticised more than anyone would care to think about, the Lions may be thanking their lucky stars if they can somehow get a victory today on the road.

They have won just two of their six games so far, but come into today’s game with eight points, fourth in their conference and just four points behind the second-placed Geelong Cats.

Given their percentage is already better than that of Geelong, who lost heavily to the GWS Giants on Friday night, any victory would allow them to jump up the table and qualify as the second-best team in Conference B.

That’ll be easier said than done though, despite the troubles of Collingwood throughout the season.

Brisbane were thumped last time out against Carlton, and some of their defence this season has been quite poor, conceding the second-most points in the competition on average.

Of course, their defence really shouldn’t be given much of a workout today though, and as long as they travel okay, they will come in as heavy favourites.

Collingwood are yet to win a game this season, sitting right down the bottom of the AFLW ladder. Their defence hasn’t been terrible, but their attack has been, only averaging a tick under 26 points per game, which is just not going to get the job done.

They have shown few signs of improvement either, and while they take on a Brisbane side without a great track record at the back, the Lions are solid in the middle of the ground, and if that continues to be the case, they could run up a fair score today, particularly given they should be ruthless as they hunt for a spot in the finals.

Predicition
The Lions might be away, but the hapless Collingwood will crash to a winless season as Brisbane streak away during a determined second-half effort.

Lions by 14.

Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match from 2:05pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.

Game information

First bounce: 2:05pm (AEDT)
Venue: Victoria Park
TV: Live, Fox Footy 504 and 7Mate (Adelaide, Brisbane only)
Online: Live, Foxtel app, Foxtel now, Kayo Sports, AFL live pass
Betting: Magpies $2.40, Lions $1.52
Umpires: Giles Lewis, Gabby Simmonds, James Strybos

Collingwood Magpies
B: 6. Jordyn Allen, 22. Sophie Casey, 18. Ruby Schleicher
HB: 5. Emma Grant, 12. Stacey Livingstone, 10. Ash Brazill
C: 8. Brittany Bonnici
HF: 34. Darcy Guttridge, 16. Katie Lynch, Maddie Shevlin
F: 7. Sarah Rowe, 4. Sarah D’Arcy, 41. Kristy Stratton
FOLL: 1. Sharni Layton, 17. Stephanie Chiocci, 13. Jaimee Lambert
INT: 11. Eliza Hynes, 23. Lauren Butler, 25. Mikala Cann, 32. Georgia Gourlay, 46. Sarah Dargan
EMG: 31. Jordan Membrey, 15. Erica Fowler

Brisbane Lions
B: 17. Natalie Grider, 20. Shannon Campbell, 1. Emily Bates
HB: 5. Sam Virgo, 13. Katie Lutkins, 8. Emma Zielke
C: 25. Jacqui Yorston
HF: 16. Lauren Arnell, 29. Jade Ellenger, 27. Jessy Keeffe
F: 23. Jess Wuetschner, 4. Sharni Webb, 9. Kate McCarthy
FOLL: 14. Sabrina Frederick-Traub, 18. Alexandra Anderson, 3. Breanna Koenen
INT: 10. Paige Parker, 19. Emma Pittman, 15. Nat Exon, 33. McKenzie Dowrick, 30. Jesse Wardlaw
EMG: 32. Lauren Bella, 7. Jordan Zanchetta

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Scott Pryde

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Scott has penned over 3000 articles and is one of The Roar's longest-serving writers, covering a wide range of sports. When he isn't writing about sport, you'll find him umpiring at the cricket, or on the hill at Kogarah supporting the Dragons.