Lions Roar Into Third Consecutive Decider
The Brisbane Lions have stormed into their third consecutive AFLW Grand Final, powered by a stunning career-best performance from Ruby Svarc to defeat Carlton by 35 points in a thrilling preliminary final.
In front of a passionate crowd of 6,511 fans at Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday night, the Lions sealed the 10.7 (67) to 5.2 (32) victory, setting up a historic third-straight championship decider against the North Melbourne Kangaroos.
Svarc's Spectacular Breakout Game
The story of the night was Ruby Svarc, a player who had managed just 17 goals in her previous 55 games. She exploded with a personal-best four goals, a feat made more remarkable by the fact she had never previously kicked more than two in a single match.
After a goalless first quarter for the hosts despite 12 inside-50 entries, it was Svarc who broke the game open in the second term. She first scooped up a loose ball, raced clear, and finished with a goal on the run after a slick handball chain.
Not content with one, she quickly added a second major by regathering her own smothered shot and slotting it through the posts.
Third Quarter Blitz Seals the Deal
The match was truly broken open after halftime during a devastating third-quarter blitz. The Lions kicked an incredible five goals in just 11 minutes to turn a tight contest into a commanding lead.
The party started when Svarc nailed her third goal with a clever banana kick from the pocket. Soon after, Dakota Davidson produced a highlight-reel moment, tapping the ball towards the boundary and somehow finessing a goal from an impossibly tight angle.
The floodgates were officially open when Ellie Hampson and Davidson added further goals, with Davidson's second a clean strike from 45 metres out.
Svarc put the final exclamation mark on her dream night early in the final term, pouncing on a loose ball to swing through her fourth goal and effectively end Carlton's resistance.
This victory marks Brisbane's ninth consecutive win and avenges their Round 3 loss to the Blues. It also secures the two-time premiers their fourth straight Grand Final appearance and seventh in the competition's 10-season history.
