AFLW finals: Brisbane Lions defeat Geelong 38-34, secure GF berth

With such close games, the officiating in AFLW finals has come further under the microscope, with calls to fix one facet of the league that could marr next week’s grand final.

Jon Ralph, Ed Bourke, Callum Dick and Elliot Turner

7 min read

November 26, 2023 - 5:51PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

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Former Carlton AFLW coach Daniel Harford has called on the AFL to introduce a goal review system for this weekend’s grand final after Geelong’s preliminary final loss was marred by a spate of borderline umpiring calls.

Geelong’s brave finals charge came up short as the Cats were on the wrong end of at least three umpiring calls in the final minute of a four-point loss to the Lions in Brisbane.

Brisbane’s opening goal to livewire forward Courtney Hodder was potentially touched and yet with no budget for goal line technology the major stood despite strong Geelong protests.

North Melbourne coach Darren Crocker says he would be disappointed if the Grand Final was decided by “human error.”

The last three finals including the Kangaroos’ thrilling preliminary final win over the Crows have all been decided by less than a kick, and have not come without controversy over officiating.

The first goal of the Lions’ win was not able to be reviewed. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Crocker suggested he would like to see the AFL’s score review system implemented in the Grand Final if the league had “the ability” to bring the technology to Ikon Park next Sunday.

“I must admit when I was watching the game last night on the tele and potentially the first goal that Brisbane got … I said to my wife and daughter, ‘I wonder when the AFL might actually bring in a review system’,” Crocker said.

“All I can say is that it would be disappointing to actually lose a Grand Final due to the fact that there’s a human error, when potentially they’ve got the ability to put things in place to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

In the frantic final minutes Geelong’s Chloe Scheer had claims for a free kick after being pushed in the back at half forward, before Hodder dumped Claudia Gunjaca in a dangerous tackle but was not penalised.

As the seconds ticked down Geelong star Nina Morrison seemed to have won a clear free kick for holding the ball when Ally Anderson threw the ball clear.

Umpires have to pay this as holding the ball in the last minute with the game on the line https://t.co/2zGOSLsmb7 pic.twitter.com/ABw8u3j2E6
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) November 25, 2023

The decision was not paid, then after Morrison won a holding the ball decision with five seconds on the clock time was called by the umpire but instead the clock continued running and the siren blew.

The AFL clarified on Sunday that the Cats had been offered a shot on goal but given the distance from goal had declined to take up that option.

The league said teammate Rebecca Webster, who had had tried to take advantage ahead of play but been denied the chance, was the player who was offered the shot at goal instead of Morrison.

Webster had kicked the ball away to the wing as the final siren sounded in frustration, but was then offered the shot at goal by the umpire.

Harford told the Herald Sun on Sunday he could understand why budgetary decisions in the early years of the AFLW had prevented a goal review system.

But he said it made sense for all finals given the need for equality in the women’s game.

“They won’t do it, but if we are fair dinkum about this competition it needs to happen,” he said.

“They should do it for the grand final. We understand the restrictions because of the level of investment and some of the venues where games are hosted. But they should do it for a grand final, and in fact all finals, really. It just makes sense.”

Cat Chloe Scheer wipes tears after her team's defeat. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

The AFL on Sunday said there were no plans to introduce goal-line technology for the grand final which will see North Melbourne host Brisbane.

Earlier in the contest Geelong star and AFLPA president Patrick Dangerfield had taken to X to bemoan the lack of holding-the-ball free kicks.

“Any danger of rewarding the tackler …” he posted.

In a match with 157 tackles only 22 free kicks were paid – 12 to 10 in Geelong’s favour.

But the Cats would feel any of those decisions could have helped them march into their first AFLW Grand Final in their short history.

Geelong AFLW coach Dan Lowther was not asked about the umpiring decisions but paid tribute to his players after their finals run, which included knocking off reigning premiers Melbourne.

“It’s still very raw. I am frustrated but immensely proud of the girls in the way they travelled and prepared. It was five weeks of a Geelong brand of footy and they are really disappointed but it’s good to see the girls moving into a ‘pre’ pre-season again knowing we are challenging the teams above us which is what we are after.”

‘Magician’ Starcevich pulls latest trick with Lions’ GF berth

He went to Ireland for O’Dwyer and Aspley for Mullins.

Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich finds talent in his backyard and abroad and moulds it into something magical.

The magician’s latest act on Saturday night, delivering a heart stopping preliminary final triumph over Geelong, was another proof of concept.

Is there a better coach in the competition? This time next week we will be closer to knowing the answer.

While the rest of the footy world questioned how and why the Lions would possibly contend this year without three wantaway All-Australians, Starcevich and co got to work.

Brisbane went into this season as the third-youngest team in the competition. They entered Saturday night’s prelim with five changes from the loss to Melbourne in last season’s decider.

Jennifer Dunne was plucked from Gaelic Football and planted into the Brisbane backline.

The Lions are into yet another AFLW grand final. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Poppy Boltz was targeted 12 months ago and only added in April. She, too, a retooled midfielder turned defender.

Ellie Hampson was unwanted by the Suns but welcomed at the Lions.

Lilly Postlethwaite was the forgotten talent returned from injury and injected into the attack.

And Charlie Mullins. Forced to watch and wait last season but unleashed on the competition this year to great effect. Her first prelim final was fantastic.

Then with the game in the balance, the Lions lost their spearhead. Dakota Davidson went down with injury. Their best avenue to goal, gone.

Then the Cats hit the front. Weaker teams would have faltered. But the Lions found a way. As they have done so many times before.

It was the moment Starcevich had prepared for all season. Veteran defender Shannon Campbell had been tried in attack at times throughout the campaign and the coach pulled his lever with 10 minutes to go.

The vice-captain answered the call. Campbell’s goal with five minutes to run restored the Lions’ lead and from there they held sway.

(L-R) Sophie Conway, Jade Ellenger, Breanna Koenen and Tahlia Hickie celebrate. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Head of Women’s Footy, Breanna Brock, believes what makes the Lions so resilient is their years of living on the road. For seven seasons they played without a home.

When that home was built last year it still felt foreign. But Brighton Homes Arena became a fortress on Saturday night.

The call came early in the week for fans to flock to Springfield and it was on their shoulders the Lions roared into the decider.

In the pre-season captains’ poll nobody picked them to feature at the pointy end.

Now they are into a record fifth AFLW grand final.

Lions roar into AFLW GF, but will forward star be there?

Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich is unsure whether star forward Dakota Davidson will be fit for next Sunday’s AFLW grand final.

Davidson went down with a knee injury late in the third quarter of the four-point preliminary final win over Geelong and did not return to the field.

The key forward, who was celebrating her 50th AFLW start and could be named in the All-Australian side on Monday, was in tears on the bench as her teammates ran out for the final quarter at Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday night.

“She’s in good spirits,” Starcevich said.

“She was walking around OK. She was jogging out to the group – a little proppy. We will just have to wait and see what comes of that.”

Hoping for the best for Dakota Davidson â¤ï¸#AFLWFinals pic.twitter.com/gXsahNgdZh
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) November 25, 2023

Davidson had two goals and five score involvements – both game-highs – before the injury.

If she does miss the decider it will be a massive blow to the Lions, who have leant on her presence and passion up forward this season.

Davidson entered the match averaging a touch under two goals per game.

“Absolutely it will hurt (if Davidson cannot play). She’s a big part of what we do,” Starcevich said.

“If she’s there she’s there, if not we find a way to restructure and come up with a combo that works.”

When Davidson went down Starcevich called upon vice-captain Shannon Campbell to fill the void.

He sent the reliable defender into attack and Campbell saluted with the match-winning goal just over five minutes from the finish.

Davidson has been a force for the Lions all year. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

The veteran had spent time up forward this season as Starcevich planned for such a scenario.

“You never know when you’re going to need these little things that pop up in games,” the coach said.

“Just to have those little moves up your sleeve just in case and tonight was the just in case moment to throw Shannon forward.”

If Adelaide defeats North Melbourne in the second prelim on Sunday the Lions will host the Crows at Brighton Homes Arena next weekend.

If the Kangaroos make it through to their first AFLW grand final they will play host to the Lions, who are into a record fifth decider in eight seasons.