AFLW Grand Final: Brisbane Lions defeat North Melbourne by 17-points
Kangaroos coach Darren Crocker has rued his sides final quarter collapse, after Brisbane scored 24 unanswered points in a thrilling AFLW Grand Final. Follow all the reaction and celebrations from Ikon Park.
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It wasn’t meant to be Brisbane’s season. If any team was to slide in 2023, it was the Lions after losing four of their best players and enduring the pain of a third grand final loss.
When star forward Dakota Davidson went down clutching her knee and sobbed on the sidelines in the third quarter of the preliminary final, the premiership bid appeared over once again.
But it was Davidson, possibly playing through a significant injury, who turned the game in the final term as the Lions came home with an almighty surge against North Melbourne to claim their second AFLW premiership.
It was the Lions’ league record fifth Grand Final and all that experience was on show as Davidson, who had just three disposals to the final break, took a pair of clean overhead marks and coolly delivered two set shot goals to set off an emphatic four-goal final term.
Captain Bre Koenen was in the thick of everything in the 17-point win, starting at halfback and preventing what could have been a significant early deficit as the Roos and star midfielder Jasmine Garner threw the kitchen sink at the Lions.
Koenen was unflappable in defence but may have had even more influence after moving into the midfield to curtail Garner, laying four tackles in a huge final term before topping it off with the final goal, a superb finish from the forward pocket which was only the third of her career.
Brisbane had to play almost the entire final quarter without All-Australian winger Sophie Conway after she was sent for a concussion test and ruled out for 20 minutes, but it didn’t matter after Davidson’s goals re-energised her teammates and sent them home with a wet sail.
GARNER BREAKS DEADLOCK
Who else but Jasmine Garner to fire the first shot of the Grand Final? After a frantic 16 minutes where the ball zipped through the middle of the ground but neither side gave itself a clean shot at goal, the superstar midfielder drifted forward at just the right moment – and didn’t let the Lions off the hook.
A wayward exit kick from the Lions fell into the lap of Taylah Gatt at half-forward, and the teenager showed tremendous composure to spot Garner in the corridor and hit her on the chest 40 metres out.
It required a huge kick but Garner, who also booted the first ever AFLW goal at the same ground, thumped it through at half-post height to put the Roos on the board.
CAPTAIN INSPIRES LIONS
North Melbourne could have forced its way to a significant lead in the first half after smashing the Lions 22-8 in clearances, but Bre Koenen was a brick wall across half-back and repelled everything that came her way.
Along with Nat Grider (four marks, 10 intercepts), the Lions skipper controlled the airways in their defensive half with a game-high five marks to the main break, denying the Kangaroos talls any easy shot at goal.
Koenen took over the captaincy from Emma Zielke after the 2021 flag and has spoken openly about her struggles adapting to the role – the huge individual performance under pressure showed exactly why she was given the reins.
ROOS’ BRUTAL BLOW
The Kangaroos wouldn’t have made the Grand Final without Jenna Bruton’s stellar second half against Adelaide, but they were left without her after only three minutes when the star half-forward landed awkwardly chasing a bouncing ball and immediately called for trainers.
Bruton was unable to put any weight through her right leg and was carried off the ground, ruled out only moments later with the Roos saying she had a suspected ruptured Achilles.
KANGAROOS 1.0, 2.2, 4.3, 4.3 (27)
LIONS 0.0, 2.1, 3.2, 7.2 (44)
BOURKE’S BEST Kangaroos: Garner, Riddell, M King, O’Loughlin, Kearney, Rennie. Lions: Koenen, Grider, Dawes, Anderson, Hodder, O’Dwyer.
GOALS Kangaroos: Garner 2, Shierlaw, O’Loughlin. Lions: Davidson 2, Hampson 2, Mullins, O’Dwyer, Koenen.
INJURIES: Kangaroos: Bruton (foot). Lions: C Svarc (knee).
UMPIRES Clamp, Adams, Nippress
CROWD 12,616 at Ikon Park
FLAG ‘RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR NOSES’: CROCKER
Disappointed North Melbourne coach Darren Crocker says his side couldn’t maintain its brand of football in the final quarter as the more experienced Brisbane ran over the top with four unanswered goals.
Crocker said the Kangaroos would learn from the Lions’ emphatic final quarter performance and was confident his players would rally after coming close to “climbing the mountain” as they had set out at the start of the finals series.
He still viewed the season as a step forward but rued a cluster of missed opportunities, particularly in a dominant first half as the Lions managed to keep within a point at the main break.
“There’s got to be disappointment, we spoke about climbing the mountain and we’ve taken so many steps forward … even at three quarter time, to put ourselves in a position to win that game, win our first ever AFLW premiership, we were right there, but just couldn’t finish the job,” Crocker said.
“I think the whole day, Brisbane just took their opportunities more than we did. We controlled large parts of the game, we controlled the front half game, inside 50s were heavily weighted our way, but I just felt that a few times when they went forward they took their opportunities.
“In tight games and grand finals like that, to be able to take your opportunities is a pretty important factor.”
Crocker said the message to his troops when up by seven points at the final break was to continue playing the same way, but the Roos were ground to a standstill as Brisbane found another gear.
“We wanted to continue to play ‘Northball’, I thought the third quarter was really strong for us, and we wanted to play (like that) in the last … our vision was right in front of our noses at that stage,” he said.
“We’d put ourselves in a really strong position … but unfortunately Birsbane came, they took a couple of opportunities early, scoreboard pressure then makes you have to change a few things.
“We had to try to push to win the game, and that opened us up a little bit defensively later in the game, which allowed them to score a few goals.”
Crocker praised “unflappable” star midfielder Jasmine Garner after she took charge early to boot the first two goals following a second controversial umpire snub in the league best and fairest count.
“Jas just fronts up, she’s so unflappable with all the media and hype about the awards night, she just moved on, ‘what do I need to do to help the team win this week?’,” he said.
“She’s so team-focused, and everything she does is just to try to help her team, and that’s what we love about her.”
LIONS COACH ASKS, ‘DID YOU LIKE OUR FOOTY?’
Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich has revealed he had even more in mind than just a second flag when the Lions arrived in Melbourne this weekend for their shot at grand final redemption.
Starcevich was hell-bent on delivering a more attractive style of play for fans than in the previous grand final loss, and thought his team held up its end of the bargain as they roared back into the contest with an electric four-goal final term on Sunday.
The seasoned coach said more so than last year’s loss to Melbourne, the quality of play in the four-goal grand final had “grated on him” more than the result.
Starcevich said his Lions side have a more important job than pursuing premierships while the competition remains in its infancy.
“A seven goal to four (match), that’s a much better outcome than what we had last year when we were two goals each,” he said.
“I know we lost the (season seven grand final), but it sort of grated on me a little bit that we put on not such a good spectacle.
“I hope the general punter likes our style of footy, because we’re in a phase now where we’ve got to get people watching.
“We’re lucky to have won it this year, and that’s great, but the bigger task for us and AFLW generally is to get people watching, and there’s a lot of attractive footy getting played this year which is really good … I hope we’re doing our bit.”
Starcevich said his side had been “very resilient and strong” against good opposition in the finals series, but again refused to buy into the “narrative” that the Lions had been up against it this season because of the departure of a quartet of star players.
Emily Bates and Greta Bodey joined Hawthorn, leading goalkicker Jesse Wardlaw went to St Kilda and star defender Kate Lutkins called time on her career, but Starcevich said the sweeping changes to the Lions’ list were never explicitly addressed with his players.
“It’s probably something we’ll reflect on a little bit later, I reckon. It gets talked about a lot … but for us it’s a distraction more than anything else,” he said.
“From our point of view, it was just onwards with what we’ve got, try to find the best combo, bring new people in … the new people ended being very grateful for their opportunities, and I won’t go as far as saying rusted-on Lions players, but I think winning a flag helps.”
Starcevich said he was proud of key forward Dakota Davidson’s match-winning two-goal cameo in the final term after having no impact up until the final break.
“I did say to (Davidson) before the game that it’s unlikely a key forward is going to dominate a grand final, because that hasn’t happened for yonks, but it was terrific that she hung in the game and didn’t get frustrated,” he said
“She’s normally clunking a few early in the game and getting everyone up and about, that’s how she normally rolls. Today was more about perseverance and waiting for your opportunities.”
Recap the thrilling Grand Final below.
3QT: NORTH MELBOURNE 27 V BRISBANE 20
Just as the tide appeared to be turning Brisbane’s way, North Melbourne found another gear and tackled relentlessly in its forward half to produce two quick goals before three quarter time.
The Roos are in the box seat with a seven-point lead heading into the final term but Brisbane has shown it can score quickly and at one stage held a five-point lead during an electric term.
A quick chain of handballs resulted in Irishwoman Orla O’Dwyer running into goal to put the Lions in front, but the Roos managed to arrest the visitors’ momentum and hit back in the final three minutes.
North captain Emma Kearney had just six disposals to halftime but stepped up at a crucial moment when the ball was stuck on the city wing midway through the third term.
Kearney was twice asked to put her body on the line and did so without hesitation, winning two free kicks a minute apart from each other and creating a chain from halfback that resulted in a set shot goal for Kate Shierlaw.
After two near misses earlier in the term, Alice O’Loughlin nailed her opponent holding the ball 30 metres out from goal and made no mistake with her set shot to take the Roos closer to a maiden AFLW flag.
HT: NORTH MELBOURNE 14 V BRISBANE 13
Both preliminary finals were decided by less than a kick and the Grand Final looks headed that way as well after Brisbane fought back with two goals to reduce the margin to a single point at the main break.
The Lions have struggled in the territory battle but were able to muster repeat forward entries for the first time this match early in the term, and were rewarded with a quick kick out of a pack by Charlotte Mullins bouncing through for a goal.
Garner answered back at the other end, with a small scuffle igniting after she was awarded a free kick for a hold and Lions defenders appeared to accuse the star of exaggerating the contact.
The Roos superstar booted her second, but her side was punished after she went to the bench along with captain Emma Kearney following the goal.
With their All-Australian duo both off the field at the same time, the Lions again pumped the ball inside 50 and eventually found a target, with Ally Anderson finding Ellie Hampson 30 metres out for a second goal.
QT: NORTH MELBOURNE 6 V BRISBANE 0
A long bomb from Jasmine Garner has broken a 16-minute deadlock to give North Melbourne an early lead in the AFLW Grand Final, but the Roos face a steep task after losing one of their most important players.
Half-forward Jenna Bruton has been ruled out of the game with a foot injury after she landed awkwardly in pursuit of a loose ball in just the third minute of the match.
After firing her side into the decider with a career-best 28 disposals in the preliminary final, Bruton was carried off the field by Kangaroos trainers, unable to put any weight on her right leg.
It took the player voted by coaches and her peers as the competition’s best, Garner, to break through in a tense opening term where the ball moved quickly from end to end but neither side was able to create a meaningful chance.
Taylah Gatt was able to find Garner with a short kick to 40 metres out after capitalising on a wayward exit from the Lions, and the star midfielder delivered for her side with a booming set shot which sailed through for a six-point lead at the first break.
INJURY ALERT: BRUTON HELPED FROM THE FIELD
North Melbourne has been dealt a huge blow in just the third minute of the AFLW Grand Final with star half-forward Jenna Bruton carried off by trainers after suffering a serious leg injury.
Bruton was unable to put weight on her right leg after landing awkwardly chasing a loose ball, and immediately called for assistance.
The 28-year-old went down to the rooms after managing to balance on her right leg and attempt some calf-raise like exercises, suggesting a potential calf or Achilles issue.
Minutes later she was ruled out for the game.
Bruton was the driving force behind the Kangaroos’ win over the Crows in the preliminary final with a 13-disposal, three-tackle third quarter.
North Melbourne coach Darren Crocker will have a major headache restructuring his forward line if one of his best contested ball players is unable to return to the field.
G-FLIP ROCKS AFLW GRAND FINAL
Australian rocker G-Flip has set Ikon Park alight ahead of the AFL Women’s grand final.
Flanked by two former Lions in Sabrina Frederick and Jesse Wardlaw - now at Collingwood and St Kilda respectively - drummer and singer G-Flip delivered a handful of tracks to get the sold-out stadium pumping with plentiful daytime fireworks and other pyrotechnics.
Conditions couldn’t be better at the ground, with no breeze and just a few clouds overhead.
North Melbourne isn’t hiding its ambition at claiming its maiden premiership - and potentially becoming the first expansion side to win the AFLW flag - declaring “Our time is now” on the team banner.
FINAL TEAMS CONFIRMED
KANGAROOS:
Backs S.Wright 17 J.Ferguson 20
Half Backs E.Shannon 11 E.Kearney – C 9 E.O’Shea 14
Centreline T.Gatt 8 M.King 23 L.Pullar 24
Half Forwards B.Eddey 3 J.Bruton 35 A.O’Loughlin 6
Forwards K.Shierlaw 33 T.Randall 16
Followers E.King 60 J.Garner 25 A.Riddell 7
Interchange N.Bresnehan 12 T.Craven 5 A.Smith 15 K.Rennie 26 N.Martin 28
LIONS:
Backs P.Boltz 15 J.Dunne 8
Half Backs B.Koenen – C 3 N.Grider 10 S.Campbell 20
Centreline O.O’Dwyer 9 I.Dawes 17 J.Ellenger 5
Half Forwards L.Postlethwaite 6 D.Davidson 14 S.Conway 12
Forwards T.Smith 31 C.Hodder 21
Followers T.Hickie 2 C.Svarc 25 A.Anderson 18
Interchange P.Monahan 11 E.Hampson 7 R.Svarc 29 C.Mullins 28 M.Pauga 27
FANS DESCEND ON IKON PARK
LIVINGSTONE DEFENDS GF GROUND CALL
Outgoing AFL women’s football boss Nicole Livingstone has defended the league’s decision to play today’s premiership decider at “heartland venue” Ikon Park.
The game, which will house 13,800 people, sold out within three hours, prompting calls to move the game to AFL-owned Marvel Stadium - or that it should have been scheduled there in the first place.
But Livingstone disagreed on Sunday.
“The connection to community as you’re building something new, and in particular WBBL and the AFLW are relatively new products in the marketplace,” she said on ABC Offsiders.
“I feel and I think the AFL as well with the strategy we’ve had is that a smaller venue and packing that out is creating a great atmosphere. It’s also creating a fear of missing out as well - people are desperate to get there.”
Livingstone said Women’s players would have to wait “until you get the crowd to match the venues” for games to be played at bigger stadiums.
More than 53,000 people attended the 2019 AFLW grand final at Adelaide Oval, but Livingstone said she believed people had “changed the way they consume sport” in the wake of the Covid pandemic.
“Maybe not AFL or men’s sport, but certainly women’s sport needs to continue to build its audience,” she said.
“We have committed to that.”
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