AFTER a disrupted start to its premiership defence, Brisbane has continued to roar up the ladder with a commanding 24-point win over Collingwood in Maroochydore on Saturday.
In conditions more useful for flying kites than playing footy, the Lions mastered the gusty winds to blanket the Magpies and win their third match in 12 days.
The 5.5 (35) to 1.5 (11) victory was set up in the first quarter where the hosts kept the scores level despite kicking into a howling gale, before they established a match-winning lead in a dominant second term.
Emily Bates continued her wonderful season, finishing with 23 disposals and a crucial third-quarter goal into the wind, while third-gamer Zimmi Farquharson again dazzled with two goals from limited chances.
Cathy Svarc (12 touches and a match-high 12 tackles) did a nice job running with prolific Magpie Brittany Bonnici, while Greta Bodey was dangerous forward of the ball with good hands and quick feet in tight spaces.
Brisbane ran harder and was more prepared to take the game on with run-and-carry and daring ball movement when the chances arose.
The game was blown open in the second quarter with the Lions kicking three unanswered goals on the back of a staggering 17-0 inside 50 count.
Once Dakota Davidson broke the arm-wrestle with a right foot snap early in the term, the floodgates opened.
The Lions got ascendency around the stoppages and had the ball camped inside their front half, allowing Farquharson to cash in with two goals.
Her first came from a beautifully judged mark drifting across the front of a pack and the second from a lovely chain of ball movement that involved skipper Bre Koenen, Orla O'Dwyer and Jesse Wardlaw.
BRISBANE 0.2 3.4 4.5 5.5 (35)
COLLINGWOOD 0.2 0.2 1.4 1.5 (11)
GOALS
Brisbane: Farquharson 2, Davidson, Bates, Bodey
Collingwood: Chaston
BEST
Brisbane: Bates, Bodey, Svarc, Farquharson, Koenen, O'Dwyer
Collingwood: Schleicher, Lambert, Butler, Brown, Bonnici
INJURIES
Brisbane: Campbell (head)
Collingwood: Nil
