The Brisbane Lions are by way of to the AFLW preliminary finals after a hard-fought win over the Adelaide Crows as Sydney’s transformation continues, with a pulsating upset win to eradicate the Gold Coast Suns.
The Lions held on within the ultimate seconds to safe a two-point victory, 6.3 (39) to five.7 (37) over the Crows at Norwood Oval.
AFLW finals
First preliminary ultimate
Brisbane Lions 6.3 (39) def Adelaide Crows 5.7 (37)
First elimination ultimate
Gold Coast Suns vs Sydney Swans
The sport was performed at fierce depth from the very begin.
The Lions kicked the opener from Taylor Smith early within the first quarter, however the Crows hit again virtually instantly with a rating from Eloise Jones.
The one earlier assembly this season got here in spherical eight, when the Lions secured a three-point win in Brisbane.
The guests’ ahead stress was key within the early phases, as they compelled errors from the Adelaide defence.
One such mistake led to one of many objectives of the season, as a kickout was spoiled and fell to Irish participant Orla O’Dwyer, who took possession deep within the left ahead pocket and nailed an excellent kick off one step to offer her workforce a nine-point margin.
That remained the distinction between the edges at quarter-time.
The pattern continued within the second time period, with the Lions getting extra gamers across the ball and forcing the ball free.
Brisbane struck first once more, with an excellent break down the left wing from Cathy Svarc, who freed up Courtney Hodder, who ran and produced an ideal kick to Dakota Davidson. Davidson went again and slotted the objective to place Brisbane 15 factors clear.
However in opposition to the run of play, Adelaide broke free and Jones kicked the ball from simply inside 50 to bounce by way of a vacant goalsquare for the Crows’ second.
The identical participant took benefit of a holding the ball name in addition her third from shut vary with six minutes left within the half.
Either side appeared to have settled to play issues out to half-time, however a Niamh Kelly snap proper on the siren put the Crows in entrance by three factors on the lengthy break.
The momentum had shifted, and Adelaide got here out in comparable mode for the third time period. Inside three minutes Jones had her fourth, because the Lions gave her an excessive amount of room and she or he napped an excellent effort round her physique from 35m.
Adelaide had an opportunity for an enormous lead, however Caitlin Gould missed with a set shot after a powerful mark inside 50.
The Lions have been beneath fierce stress, however they made use of a uncommon alternative, with Davidson kicking a objective after a 50-metre penalty.
Jones went again in defence for the Crows and took a few key intercept marks. However within the ultimate seconds, the Lions burst ahead and O’Dwyer kicked her second of the sport to stage the scores.
It was a troublesome ultimate quarter with probabilities few and much between — the Crows led by way of a behind from Danielle Ponter, however the Lions hit the entrance after Sophie Conway marked and thumped the ball from 55m, bouncing over the again for Ally Anderson to volley dwelling from close to the goalline.
The sport got here all the way down to the ultimate seconds, because the Crows’ Yvonne Bonner held a key mark 40m out, then wheeled and kicked lengthy. The Lions defence managed to spoil the ball by way of for a rushed behind, and time ran out for Adelaide.
Swans to satisfy Crows after beating Suns
After a winless debut season, the Swans will meet Adelaide in a semi-final after beating the Suns 9.4 (58) to six.5 (41) on Saturday night time.
Sydney midfielder Laura Gardiner shook off Lucy Single’s tag to rack up a game-high 30 disposals, together with seven clearances, whereas co-captain Chloe Molloy kicked three objectives within the Swans’ finals debut.
Trailing by 4 objectives at three-quarter time, the Suns threw every part on the Swans and Sydney went goalless within the ultimate time period.
Gold Coast loved 17 inside 50s to 4 within the ultimate quarter, however might solely handle 1.2.
It was a tackling masterclass from Sydney, with 105 to 66, as Sofia Hurley racked up 16 for the Swans.
Sydney suffered an early blow when Bec Privitelli, who kicked their opening objective, limped off within the first quarter with a decrease leg harm.
Privitelli didn’t return, placing her doubtful for subsequent weekend’s semi-final in opposition to the minor premiers.
Gold Coast captain Tara Bohanna kicked the opening objective of the sport and went on in addition the primary objective within the subsequent two quarters as effectively.
However after dominating the beginning of the competition, the Suns have been overwhelmed as Sydney kicked the following 4 majors and raced to a 20-point lead at quarter time.
Bohanna kicked the primary two objectives of the second time period, decreasing the margin to solely eight factors, however once more Sydney took management and had a 26-point lead on the principal break.
That will show important, with the Suns lifting within the second half and matching Sydney’s stress.
Single specifically was outstanding by way of the third quarter because the Suns challenged Sydney.
However Cynthia Hamilton’s snapped objective on the again of excellent ahead stress simply earlier than three-quarter time proved a dagger by way of the Suns’ coronary heart.
Sydney took a four-goal lead into the final time period and that was sufficient as they withstood relentless Gold Coast assaults.
Simply as Molloy shone for the Swans, fellow captain Lucy McEvoy cleverly got here up from defence and kicked two objectives within the opening time period.
Earlier than Saturday night time, McEvoy had slotted simply seven objectives in her 40-plus sport AFLW profession.
Teammate Aimee Whelan additionally kicked her first AFLW objective late within the second quarter.
Gold Coast ruck Lauren Bella gave her midfielders loads of supply, racking up a whopping 42 hitouts — no different participant had greater than 9.
Alison Drennan battled exhausting and had a team-high 22 possessions for Gold Coast, whereas Single racked up 17 and Bohanna kicked a game-high 4 objectives.
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AAP