In a thrilling AFLW finals showdown, the Brisbane Lions roared to a surprising 13-point victory over the Melbourne Demons, marking their first-ever win against Melbourne in the finals and securing a spot in the preliminary round. But here's the twist: it wasn't an easy ride for the Lions!
The game, held at Princes Park, saw the Lions trail early on, but they mounted a remarkable comeback, outscoring the Demons 9-4 after quarter-time. The final score, 9.2 (56) to 6.7 (43), doesn't quite reveal the drama that unfolded.
Melbourne suffered a significant setback when their star forward, Eden Zanker, was forced to exit the game due to a collision in the first half. Zanker, a prolific scorer with 22 goals this season, including a four-goal haul last week, was a huge loss. And this is where the game's narrative took an unexpected turn.
The Demons' scoring woes became evident, with only Kate Hore and Tayla Harris finding the net in the initial half. But the third quarter brought a shift in momentum as Brisbane took control, scoring three goals to Melbourne's one. The turning point came just before the siren, as Brisbane's Dakota Davidson set up Ellie Hampson for a crucial snap, extending their lead to 14 points.
Melbourne fought back with a goal from Ryleigh Wotherspoon, but the Lions responded with consecutive majors from Ally Anderson and Lily Postlethwaite, sealing their fate. The Lions' resilience and ability to capitalize on Melbourne's misfortune proved decisive.
Now, Brisbane advances to the preliminary final, while Melbourne must regroup for an elimination semi-final against the winner of Adelaide vs. St Kilda. Will the Lions' momentum carry them all the way? And can Melbourne recover from this setback? The AFLW finals series promises more excitement and controversy as the competition heats up!
