BRISBANE has broken its five-game losing streak against Narrm, taking the four points thanks to a late surge on Sunday evening.
In wet and windy conditions, typical for Casey Fields, the Lions claimed a 15-point victory, 4.3 (27) to 6.6 (42).
Narrm came out of the blocks quickly, kicking three goals in the first quarter through Eden Zanker and Kate Hore, before Brisbane was able to get a look at goal. It was Jesse Wardlaw who eventually broke the Demons' streak with two desperate kicks off the ground under pressure in the goalsquare.
Tyla Hanks started the game with a burst, winning ten disposals and laying five tackles in the first quarter, but in the second had Cathy Svarc to contend with. Hanks was restricted to just two disposals for the term, limiting Narrm's drive out of the contest, which ultimately allowed the Lions to wrestle back control.
But Brisbane wasn't able to capitalise on its dominant second quarter, kicking just one goal and three behinds to trail by four points at half time. The Lions stayed in the hunt, though, using pressure around the contest and their elite contingent of runners to spread and use any space available.
The Lions looked most dangerous when able to clear out their forward line and send the ball into space out the back for the likes of Farquharson, Hodder and Ruby Svarc to run onto it, which ultimately turned the tide in the final quarter.
Cathy Svarc's 11 disposals, 10 tackles and six clearances were vital for Brisbane, alongside Ally Anderson's 21 disposals and six tackles, while Natalie Grider's dash from the back half kept them within touch in the first half.
For Narrm, its backline could only withstand so much pressure, and without key target Tayla Harris as an option when clearing the ball, the Demons often found the ball quickly sailing back over their heads.
In game 50 Lily Mithen worked hard all day, winning a game-high 23 disposals and laying seven tackles, while on her return from injury Maddi Gay had 15 disposals in an important role across half back.
Brisbane now moves atop the ladder with its clean 4-0 record, while Narrm falls to 3-1.
Does Jesse Wardlaw have a soccer background?
As Narrm had the run of the play and Brisbane was searching for scoreboard impact, Jesse Wardlaw slotted her side's first two goals with less-than-conventional soccers off the ground in the goalsquare. Her ability to keep her feel in the tussle and get a boot to ball not once, but twice, showed her intelligence and strength around the big sticks. Both scores were indicative of Brisbane's 'any way possible' attitude, which, given the conditions, was important.
You can't keep the Lions down
Despite smothering Brisbane for much of the first three quarters, Narrm was ultimately overrun by the Lions' immense forward line. With three goals to three-quarter-time, the Lions had to come from behind if they were to keep their unbeaten record alive and come from behind they did. They dominated territory in the final quarter and from that persistence, kicked three goals through Sophie Conway, Courtney Hodder and Ruby Svarc. With this win, they have snapped a five-game losing streak against Narrm, and gone 4-0 to start the season since the last time they beat Narrm - back in 2017.
What's next?
Narrm will head up the highway to Ikon Park where it faces Carlton on Friday evening, while Brisbane returns to Victoria for the second consecutive week to play Richmond at Punt Road Oval on Saturday morning before the men's Grand Final.
NARRM 3.1 3.1 4.2 4.3 (27)
BRISBANE 1.0 2.3 3.4 6.6 (42)
GOALS
Narrm: Hore (2), Zanker, Hanks
Brisbane: Wardlaw (2), Farquharson, Conway, Hodder, R. Svarc
BEST
Narrm: Anderson, C. Svarc, Grider, Conway
Brisbane: Hanks, Mithen, L. Pearce, Gay
INJURIES
Narrm: Nil
Brisbane: Nil
Reports: Nil
Crowd: TBC at Casey Fields
