Brisbane have absorbed an early West Coast surge to thump the Eagles by 45 points and stay unbeaten in the AFLW.
The Lions led by one point at half-time, despite the Eagles dominating inside 50s and incredibly winning the game’s first 13 clearances.
But they made the visitors pay for their missed opportunities in front of goal, putting the foot down with a five-goal third term to prevail 10.5 (65) to 2.8 (20) at Hickey Park in Monday’s rescheduled fixture.
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It kept the Eagles winless in their second AFLW season and set up a tasty clash with unbeaten Melbourne next Sunday after the Lions’ comprehensive defeats of Richmond and Gold Coast to begin their campaign kept their percentage above 500.
Lauren Arnell collected a game-high 18 disposals and a clever grubbered goal in a stand-out performance.
The competition’s leading goal kicker, Dakota Davidson, managed two majors, including a set shot from the tightest of angles in the pocket to ignite the Lions’ second half.
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That goal followed some stern half-time words from the Lions’ coaching staff and sparked them into action as their midfield turned the tables and Alexandra Anderson, Jesse Wardlaw, Taylor Smith and Arnell all kicked third-term majors.
“You have to expect good teams to come at you and we were a little bit flat early,” Lions coach Craig Starcevich said.
“[We needed] to embrace the fact that we were in a contest. Last week [against Gold Coast] we were comfortable all the way through but it was a different kettle of fish.
“We were right in a contest and it was valuable for later on in the year to get some composure and try to find a solution to this.”
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Their ability to bring the ball to ground and convert whenever entering their forward 50 was a clear difference, with the Eagles unable to transfer their early field position dominance into genuine scoring chances.
“I’ve been really proud of their effort for periods of the game … but against good teams you need to play for four quarters,” Eagles coach Daniel Pratt said.
“Brisbane are at the top of the table for a reason and they made us pay … it could have been a completely different game [if West Coast kicked straight in the first term].”
Aisling McCarthy had 17 touches and a goal for the Eagles while Andrea Gilmore kicked her first AFLW goal before a head knock ended her night prematurely.
The Eagles immediately flew home to Perth on Monday night. They will head east again to face the Giants in Sydney on Sunday.
AAP
