Once written off as wooden spoon favourites, the undefeated Brisbane Lions now have the inaugural AFLW flag in their sights after booking a grand final berth on Saturday.
But just wait until they finally click.
The Lions notched their sixth successive win when they held out a spirited Western Bulldogs 2.11 (23) to 2.4 (16) at South Pine Sports Complex in front of about 5000 people.
Brisbane's never-say-die spirit was summed up by marquee player Sabrina Frederick-Traub, who nursed an aggravated quad injury to help the Lions earn a slice of history.
Coach Craig Starcevich's Brisbane became the first team to secure a place in the maiden AFLW grand final on March 25, with one round still to play.
And they can book a home grand final if they win their final regular season clash against Carlton at Ikon Park.
But Starcevich warned the Lions had not yet produced their best footy.
"It hasn't all clicked," he said.
"The talls have had their day, the runners have had theirs as well but they haven't clicked on the same day.
"It would be nice if it did."
Starcevich said he would weigh up whether to rest Frederick-Traub for the Carlton clash with a home grand final on the line.
If the Lions beat the Blues, the final would be staged at either the Gabba or at Metricon Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the round one AFL Q-Clash.
"We might have a discussion about those feeling the pinch a little bit," he said.
However, it may be hard to keep Frederick-Traub away.
She aggravated a quad complaint suffered last week against Adelaide early in Saturday's clash but refused to be taken off despite visibly struggling.
She still managed five marks and 10 touches, working in tandem with fellow marquee tall Tayla Harris (nine touches, four marks, 0.1).
"It was a struggle for her but she has an enormous heart," Starcevich said of Frederick-Traub.
"There was no way she was going to concede anything today."
Emily Bates (16 touches) was also inspirational.
Brisbane threatened to run away with the game by jumping to a 17-point halftime lead.
But the Bulldogs were playing for pride after winning just one of their first five games.
Despite being without captain Katie Brennan (quad) and Aasta O'Connor (knee), the visitors lifted in the third term.
Two goals by Jaimee Lambert and the twin threat of Emma Kearney (30 disposals) and Ellie Blackburn (17 touches) cut Brisbane's lead to just four points by the final break.
Share
