Brisbane Lions booked their place in the big dance next week as they overcame the Geelong Cats by four points in an enthralling, fast-paced preliminary final contest but injuries may cause a Grand Final heartbreak.
Dakota Davidson suffered a knee injury late in the third term and may miss next week’s Grand Final clash against Adelaide or North Melbourne.
The Lions came out of the blocks hot, kicking the opening goal within the first minute of the match, with flashy forward Hodder snapping out of the pack.
They kept the travelling Cats scoreless in the opening term and O’Dwyer was brilliant all game, amassing 21 disposals, four tackles and a goal in well-rounded performance from the midfielder.
The Cats fought back, key forward Jacqueline Parry booting two as the best forward on the ground.
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Both teams traded goals as the pressure ramped up in front of the parochial Brisbane crowd, the home side taking a five-point advantage 4.2 (26) to 3.3 (21), heading into the major break.
Prespakis was the best for the cats, the star midfielder showcasing her ability to consistently win the ball, as she has done all year, finishing the final with 21 disposals.
Her efforts were not enough to book a place in the Grand Final as the Lions snatched the victory 6.2 (38) to 5.4 (34), to book their place in their fifth AFLW Grand Final.
The pressure cooker, hotly contested match was everything we’d expect from finals footy and the Lions will hope to take their winning form into the Grand Final next week against either North Melbourne or the Adelaide Crows.
INJURY HEARTBREAK
Dakota Davidson was crucial up forward and booted two goals to help give her side the victory.
Her knee injury late in the third term saw her take a seat on the bench and not return for the rest of the match.
A defeated looking Davidson may tragically not play a part in next week’s Grand Final in an all too familiar tale of Grand Final heartbreak.
Isabel Dawes was epic for the lions with a whopping 12 tackles and 21 disposals and Anderson found a lot of the ball too, gathering 16 possessions.
CATS FLIP THE SCRIPT
Cats goal sneak Moloney gave Geelong the lead early in the final term with a clever snapping goal, as the crowd grew nervous.
The travelling underdogs came for the fight and it took a Mullins crafty snap late in the last term to seal the victory.
Jacqueline Parry was solid up forward with two majors and also helped set up several chances for the travelling cats.
Chloe Scheer was also courageous, booting a goal and contributing despite suffering a hairline fracture only two weeks ago.
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LIONS 2.1, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2 (38)
CATS 0.1, 3.3, 4.4, 5.4 (34)
GOALS
Lions: Davidson 2 O’Dwyer, Mullins, Hodder, Campbell.
Cats: Parry 2, Scheer, Scott, Moloney
