Grand Final Recap
On Sunday, Ikon Park in Melbourne played host the the AFLW’s seventh Grand Final in league history. The matchup featured the local North Melbourne Kangaroos facing off with the favoured Brisbane Lions.
The match was a slow burn to begin with. As is expected in a Grand Final, both teams were playing extremely hard and physical not allowing an inch to opposing ball carriers. For the first 15 minutes of the opening quarter the ball was largely kept in the midfield of the pitch with neither team getting a clean shot at goal.
It was North Melbourne who finally was able to break through thanks to Jasmine Garner who put through a goal from 40 metres out. Her blast was the only score of the opening quarter as North Melbourne led 6-0 heading into the second.
Quarter number two saw some more action with North Melbourne scoring a behind early to stretch the lead to seven only to have Brisbane immediately counter back with their first goal of the match.
The teams would stay close with both putting through a behind and a goal before the quarters end as North Melbourne, in search of their first Premiership, led 14-13 at halftime.
Coming out of the locker rooms North Melbourne again had an early chance but were only able to come away with a behind. Shortly after, Brisbane took their first lead of the day as Orla O’Dwyer put the ball through after some quality team play.
Brisbane quickly tacked on a behind, but their excitement was short lived as North Melbourne scored two goals in quick succession to jump back in front 27-20.
It seemed that we were destined for a Grand Final that would inevitably come down to the final minutes and perhaps one of the last kicks. But Brisbane had other plans.
The Lions took their game to another level in the final frame and overwhelmed the typically stout Kangaroos defense.
They struck quickly off the foot of Dakota Davidson to get within one then took the lead just five minutes later with Davidson’s second of the match.
They continued their dominant play never really allowing North Melbourne the opportunity to regain the lead as the Lions would put through two more before the matches end to take the 44-27 win.
Brisbane Claims Second Premiership
The Grand Final victory for Brisbane marks the second time in the sports seven season history that the Lions are AFLW Premiers. With that, they join Adelaide who have three titles as the only AFLW clubs with multiple Premiership flags.
The win also prevents the club from falling to just 1-4 in Grand Finals as they are now 2-3, with those five championship appearances being the most of any team in the league.
Breanna Koenen receives Best on Ground Honours
Brisbane’s Breanna Koenen was honoured with the Best on Ground award for her spectacular Grand Final play. The captain was paramount to the Lions victory with a hand in each and every part of the match today.
She began the match at halfback doing well to thwart to Kangaroo attack before eventually switching to a midfield role in which she commanded the pitch and everyone on it.
Then, to top off her great match, she scored the Lion’s final goal which put the outcome of the game beyond a shadow of a doubt as her Lions came out on top.
