AFL

Lions cut plucky Hawks down to size in AFLW

By AAP Newswire

Oct 1, 2023

Brisbane goalkicker Dakota Davidson — The return of goalkicker Dakota Davidson helped lift Brisbane over the line against Hawthorn. -AAP Image

Bolstered by the return of prolific goalkicker Dakota Davidson, Brisbane have overcome a rare slow start to defeat a gallant Hawthorn by 27 points.

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With the Hawks threatening to pull off an upset win with a seven-point lead at halftime, the Lions strung together six unanswered goals to win 8.11 (59) to 5.2 (32) at Kinetic Stadium on Sunday.

"Good old fashioned kick up the backside actually, to get yourself going, get yourself competing. Sometimes that's required," Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich said, adding the win had lifted spirits at the club following Saturday's AFL grand final loss to Collingwood.

"The mood coming into the game was pretty good despite the events of yesterday, but it probably took us a while to get going.

"The girls are heavily invested in what the boys do. It's hard not to be invested in your footy club and follow all the ups and downs of the lads ... and not be affected by that."

Ally Anderson (30 disposals, eight clearances, eight tackles) was brilliant as she fought off former Brisbane teammate Emily Bates (17, five, 14) in the midfield.

Bates said playing against her old team "didn't really change much for me" but added she was "glad that's over."

"Doesn't matter the opposition, I was going to tackle that hard anyway but yeah, there probably was a bit more meaning in those tackles," she said.

Greta Bodey, also a former Brisbane player, kickstarted the game in terrific fashion a minute into the opening term with a well-taken left-footed goal under pressure from just outside the goal square.

Returning from a one-match suspension for rough conduct, Davidson replied instantly for Brisbane after a free kick from a push in the back.

Held back by inaccurate kicking, the Lions finished the first term with a three-point lead.

Unable to shake off the yips, Brisbane were made to pay in the second quarter through two goals from Hawks speedster Bridie Hipwell and another to Kaitlyn Ashmore.

But clever ball movement by Lions captain Bre Koenen and Cathy Svarc to control the corridor helped Brisbane regain the lead by seven points at third-quarter time.

Unanswered goals across the second half by Isabel Dawes (two goals), Davidson (three), Taylor Smith (one) and Ellie Hampson (one) secured the win for the Lions.

"We don't want to be a team that is happy with a loss - we certainly aren't," Hawthorn coach Bec Goddard said.

"But it was a really good first half against a team that's been in the competition for seven seasons. We're really proud."

Brisbane (4-1) return home to host 11th-placed Collingwood next round while Hawthorn (1-4) look to snuff out St Kilda's two-game winning streak.