Brisbane hopes the lopsided AFLW conference system will work in its favour ahead of AFLW finals

Despite winning just two games for the season, two-time AFLW grand finalist Brisbane is poised to capitalise on the controversial conference system in the face for the semi-finals.

Sabrina Frederick-Traub in action against Geelong.

Two-time AFLW grand finalist Brisbane is poised to capitalise on a lopsided conference system – and has no intention of apologising.

Despite sitting on the wrong end of 2-3 record, the Lions and Round 6 opponents Carlton remain in contention to secure top spot in Conference B and could conceivably earn a home preliminary final at the expense of current leader Geelong, should the Cats falter in its final two matches.

Two wins would see Brisbane (eight points) round out the regular season at 4-3 and earn at least a place in the finals, regardless of Geelong’s form.

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In contrast, inaugural AFLW premiers Adelaide, newcomers North Melbourne and Fremantle have already posted four wins apiece from their opening five games, and the trio are currently engaged in a dogfight for the two available finals positions in Conference A.

The five teams in Conference A have posted 17 wins across the opening five rounds compared to just eight in Conference B, with Brisbane in position to make the most of the imbalance ahead of Sunday’s vital away match against conference rivals Carlton.

But in-form Lions midfielder Ally Anderson was making no apologies for exploiting the lopsided nature of the conference system.

Jacqui Yorston looks for an option down field against Geelong.

“You’ve got to not think of it as one whole ladder,” she said.

“It’s two different conferences and there have been a lot of crossover games, so there are going to be an uneven amount of wins.

“Personally, I barely look at the ladder – I just focus on my own footy and the team’s footy and moving forwards together.”

Moving forwards will be key for a Lions side still smarting from their 27-point loss to Geelong last Saturday and Anderson knows a better game is needed to keep their finals dream alive.

“I’m someone that really dwells on games and thinks about every single aspect but for me to move on, I have to do that – I have to tear apart the game and that way I can look forwards to the next week,” Anderson said.

“(But) I think we’ve been really good at bouncing back from losses this season.

“After a loss, we’ve really wanted to come back and play together and reconnect with each other, so I think that’ll be really important this weekend, that reconnecting with each other.

“(Carlton) are doing really well at the moment. Obviously they’ve won a few games in a row so they’ll be up and about and we’ve just got to figure how we’re going to play our game and not fall into their game.”

Originally published as Brisbane hopes the lopsided AFLW conference system will work in its favour ahead of AFLW finals