Brisbane Lions storm to victory over Melbourne in wild conditions
BRISBANE overcame wild weather and women’s football powerhouse Melbourne to claim a dramatic 15-point upset victory and a slice of history in the AFLW.
BRISBANE overcame wild weather and women’s football powerhouse Melbourne to claim a dramatic 15-point upset victory and a slice of history in the AFLW.
The ecstatic Lions battled through howling wind, a lightning strike, driving rain and the Daisy Pearce-led Demons at Melbourne’s Casey Fields to complete a successful opening round for the inaugural competition that attracted over 50,000 spectators across four games.
Schoolteacher and former Australian touch football representative Kate McCarthy sealed the 4.1 (25) to 1.4 (10) win for Brisbane with a late goal after earning a 50m penalty.
Earlier in the day on Twitter, McCarthy, 23, revealed she would be playing with a pacemaker, writing: “I think today I may be the first person to play an AFL match with a pacemaker. Don’t let anything hold you back! #metalheart’’.
The tweet was trending nationally by the time the teams took to the field in extremely difficult conditions that would have tested the best men’s sides.
Melbourne led by three points at quarter-time despite having a strong wind at their backs as Brisbane defended stoically.
Lightning forced the teams from the field with three minutes left in the second quarter but goals either side of the break to Shannon Campbell and Sabrina Frederick-Traub handed Brisbane a two-point lead at halftime.
Brittany Gibson won a free kick with a swarming tackle and converted in front of goal to extend Brisbane’s lead in the last term before McCarthy locked away the four premiership points.
Lions captain Emma Zielke said her side was overcome with emotion.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling. We’ve worked so hard over this pre-season. I’m just so proud of the girls’ effort today,’’ she said.
“It means the world to us. This mob, they are so, so dedicated.’’
The clash got the royal seal of approval from two of the biggest names in the game’s history.
AFL and Melbourne icon Ron Barassi was present at the coin toss while fellow legend and Brisbane board member Leigh Matthews tweeted before the game: “Full credit to AFL, launch of AFLW has been brilliant marketing, the players joy is infectious and the aspirational aspect is a winner’’.
Brisbane play their second match against Fremantle in WA on Sunday.
Originally published as Brisbane Lions storm to victory over Melbourne in wild conditions
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