History was made in the AFLW finals as the Brisbane Lions roared past Melbourne, securing a 13-point victory and their first-ever finals win against the Demons. But here’s where it gets controversial: was Melbourne’s loss simply a result of Brisbane’s dominance, or did the absence of key forward Eden Zanker tip the scales? Let’s dive in.
In a thrilling match at Princes Park, the Brisbane Lions punched their ticket to the preliminary final with a hard-fought 9.2 (56) to 6.7 (43) win. The Lions, who initially struggled to find their rhythm, turned the tide after quarter-time, outmuscling Melbourne in the clearances and capitalizing on their opportunities. This sets up a mouth-watering prelim final clash against either Hawthorn or Carlton, giving Brisbane a well-deserved week off to prepare.
Melbourne, on the other hand, faces a tougher road ahead. They’ll meet the winner of today’s elimination final between Adelaide Crows and St Kilda in next week’s semi-final. And this is the part most people miss: the Demons’ fate could have been very different had Zanker, their star forward, not been sidelined in the first half. With 22 goals to her name this season—including four against Geelong last week—her absence left a gaping hole in Melbourne’s scoring power. The Demons managed just two goals in the first half, courtesy of Kate Hore and Tayla Harris, highlighting their reliance on Zanker’s firepower.
The turning point came in the third quarter, where Brisbane’s three goals to Melbourne’s one shifted the momentum decisively. A standout moment occurred just before the siren, as Dakota Davidson’s clever centering found Ellie Hampson, who snapped a goal to extend the Lions’ lead to 14 points. Despite Ryleigh Wotherspoon’s late goal for Melbourne, back-to-back majors from Ally Anderson and Lily Postlethwaite sealed the deal for Brisbane.
But here’s the question that’s sure to spark debate: Did Melbourne lose this game, or did Brisbane win it? The Lions’ resilience and tactical adjustments were undeniable, but Melbourne’s inability to adapt without Zanker raises questions about their depth. What do you think? Was this Brisbane’s triumph or Melbourne’s missed opportunity? Let us know in the comments below!
