3 minute read
Reigning premiers Brisbane had a rare goal-less AFLW quarter, but kicked one in the final term to hold off a spirited challenge from winless Gold Coast.
Brisbane have held on to beat Gold Coast by 16 points and equal their AFLW club record of seven straight wins.
The winless Suns took it up to the reigning premiers on Saturday in their first visit to Springfield, but remain without a women's Q-Clash win as the Lions held on 6.8 (44) to 4.4 (28).
Suns captain Tara Bohanna kicked the opening goal of the last term, reducing the margin to six points.
But as the rain arrived for the final quarter, the experienced Lions steadied and eventually the pressure told on the Suns' defence.
Dakota Davidson marked and kicked her only goal of the game with less than five minutes left to seal the win.
Lions midfielder Belle Dawes was best afield with 27 disposals, 21 of them contested, with seven tackles and seven clearances
The Suns were relentless and no goals were kicked in the third term - the first time Brisbane haven't kicked a goal in 22 quarters.
Brisbane forward Taylor Smith extended her lead as the top goalkicker this season, kicking the Lions' two goals in the opening term and taking her tally to 16.
Taya Oliver also kicked their first two AFLW goals as the Suns went toe-to-toe with the Lions and trailed by two points at quarter-time.
The Lions threatened to break the game open in the second term with three goals to one and led by 14 points at the main break.
Brisbane ball magnet Ally Anderson racked up 20 possessions in the opening half and had 31 for the game, with six clearances and eight tackles.
The match became a grind in the third term, with no goals scored, as Suns midfield ace Charlie Rowbottom started to shake Cathy Svarc's tag.
After only six possessions to half-time, Rowbottom racked up seven in the third term and had a tussle with Svarc on the three-quarter-time siren.
Rowbottom had another eight in the last quarter for a team-high 21 disposals, with six clearances and five tackles.
