Brisbane Lions reach AFLW Grand Final with 35-point win over Carlton

Ruby Svarc produced the best game of her AFL career, booting four goals to launch Brisbane Lions into another AFLW decider against powerhouse North Melbourne.

A stunning six-goal salvo in the premiership quarter has delivered the Brisbane Lions into a fourth-consecutive AFLW grand final after thumping Carlton by 35-points at Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday night.

Trailing by three points at quarter-time the Lions piled on 10 goals to four thereafter to signal their premiership intent ahead of next Saturday’s season decider against North Melbourne.

Carlton entered the preliminary final full of confidence after trouncing Hawthorn in the semi-final a week earlier and having previously dispatched the Lions on their home deck in Round 3.

And the Blues were first on the scoreboard through Dayna Finn (two goals, 23 disposals) after some slick ball movement through the middle of the ground landed in the winger’s lap.

Brisbane dominated the territory battle in the first quarter but failed to capitalise – headlined by Tayla Smith’s pluck-and-shot from the ruck which sailed out on the full from directly in front.

A quick-fire double to unlikely goal scoring hero Ruby Svarc (four goals) to open the second quarter breathed life into the Lions whose forward half pressure began to take its toll on the Blues’ backline.

In a see-sawing second quarter Carlton managed to limit the damage through a pair of goals to Poppy Scholz and entered halftime just five points down.

A career-best night for Ruby Svarc who has FOUR 😍#AFLWFinalspic.twitter.com/8NdU7aeXJc

— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) November 22, 2025

But in a brilliant 10-minute blitz to open the third quarter, the Lions piled on five-straight goals to put the preliminary final safely in their keeping.

A contentious deliberate rushed behind call against Carlton defender Harriet Cordner mid-way through the third term signalled the end for the Blues, who simply could not match the Lions’ momentum.

Running back with the flight Cordner spilled a mark and then fumbled the ball backwards over the line, with the umpire deeming her double touch was deliberate.

When Ellie Hampson subsequently goaled to put the Lions 29 points up the game was as good as over.

Saturday night’s victory means Brisbane and North Melbourne will face off in a third-straight AFLW grand final, with the ledger currently tied at 1-apiece.

Incredibly, the Lions are into their fourth-consecutive grand final and seventh of a possible nine AFLW deciders.

Taylor Smith with the tap and kick off the ground ⚽️#AFLWFinalspic.twitter.com/IU8CitHg0j

— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) November 22, 2025

RUBY RUNS RED HOT

Brisbane needed an early spark in the second quarter after going goalless in the opener but it wasn’t one of the usual suspects who stood up.

Instead it was unlikely firestarter Ruby Svarc, who before Saturday night had only booted two goals in a game once in her previous 55 AFLW starts.

But it took less than five minutes in the second stanza for the medium forward to equal her previous career-best – first through a running snap under pressure to open the Lions’ account and another moments later when she mopped up her own missed shot to make good with the second attempt.

And it was Svarc who got the Lions going in the third quarter with a ridiculous checkside banana goal from the right-hand pocket that got the Brighton Homes Arena crowd on its feet.

She followed up that work with a pinpoint pass to Courtney Hodder only moments later which resulted in another Brisbane goal.

Fittingly, Svarc put the icing on the Lions’ cake early in the fourth quarter with a falling snap over her shoulder.

DAKOTA DAVIDSON WHAAAAAT ⁉#AFLWFinalspic.twitter.com/gPqQc3Vf5t

— 7AFL (@7AFL) November 22, 2025

BLUE BANTER BACKFIRES

Sophie McKay may now regret calling out the Lions in her semi-final post-match interview last weekend.

The Blues’ star lit the fuse on the preliminary final rivalry when she sent a message to Brisbane - “We’re coming for ya” - after Carlton demolished the Hawks.

That message was heard loud and clear by Brisbane, who obviously used it as pre-match motivation if young defender Lilly Baker’s halftime comments were anything to go by.

While her teammates talked strategy at the major break Baker – who was not playing on Saturday night – twice told the assembled crowd that the Lions would “smack them (Carlton) in the mouth” in the second half before finishing with, “we’re coming for ya”.

The youngster’s words proved prophetic, with the hosts coming out after halftime and piling on six goals to romp away and into yet another AFLW grand final.

How about the dash from Ellenger and Svarc 💨#AFLWFinalspic.twitter.com/uIPgLBS2e1

— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) November 22, 2025

DAVIDSON’S GOTY (NON) CONTENDER

It is a shame the end of season AFLW awards have already been decided because Dakota Davidson might have been a chance of snagging some silverware with her stunning effort in the third quarter.

Having watched her teammates break open the game with a brilliant opening 10 minutes in the third quarter, the Lions’ spearhead decided to join the party with one of the best goals we have seen this season.

Davidson collected the ball in the right-forward pocket and under pressure from her Blues opponent, threw it on her boot while being pushed over the boundary line.

Even before the ball had sailed through for a goal – putting Brisbane 23 points clear – Davidson had already turned to the crowd and extended her arms in celebration.

Yes, they were entertained.

Originally published as Brisbane Lions reach AFLW Grand Final with 35-point win over Carlton