Brisbane is off to the MCG to play Melbourne in next Saturday's preliminary final after dismantling Collingwood by 50 points at the Gabba.
The reigning premiers flexed their muscles in a niggly qualifying final, dominating from the outset to win 10.10 (70) to 3.2 (20) in humid conditions.
It was a comprehensive performance, led by winger Orla O'Dwyer, who put on a show for her mum and sister after they arrived from Ireland three days earlier to see their first AFLW game live.
LIONS v MAGPIES Full match coverage and stats
O'Dwyer was everywhere, finishing with 19 disposals, a long-range goal and a match-high 392m gained.
Brisbane led by nine points at quarter-time and extended at every break, rubbing salt in with a four-goal final term as Collingwood appeared to run out of legs following its COVID-impacted lead-in.
Brisbane led by nine points at quarter-time and extended at every break, rubbing salt in with a four-goal final term.
The key indicators were a landslide in the home team's favour, winning contested ball by 40, clearances by 14 and the inside 50 count 44-21.
After some first-quarter jitters in front of goal, Brisbane turned the match with three goals in the second.
Courtney Hodder kicked one from a free kick, Greta Bodey from a nice set shot, and O'Dwyer with a 55m bomb that had the small, but partisan, Gabba crowd on its feet.
Collingwood would be disappointed with its lack of discipline on occasions, conceding goals to Jesse Wardlaw and Ally Anderson after 50m penalties.
Brisbane was just too good and will now face the Demons, a team that beat them by three points earlier in the season.
Orla's Irish Magic
With her mum and sister out from Ireland and watching their first live game of AFLW, Orla O'Dwyer produced a piece of magic they will long remember. Late in the second quarter and with Brisbane building its lead, O'Dwyer gathered a loose ball 55m from goal, swung on to her trusty left boot and hoisted it towards goal. The ball landed 15m out with a little luck of the Irish, bounced through for an incredible goal.
Oh no, Sarah Rowe
Late in the third quarter, Sarah Rowe had a moment she would rather forget – but one Lion Ruby Svarc will remember forever. Svarc snapped the ball from 35m and as it sailed towards goal Rowe ran back with the flight, seemingly having it covered. However, whether it was through a lack of judgement or lack of urgency, Rowe let the ball bounce through. It was Svarc's first goal in her ninth career game.
Another victim for Svarc
With Collingwood's midfield decimated by long-term injuries to Brit Bonnici and Bri Davey, there was little doubt Brisbane stopper Cathy Svarc would focus her attention on Jaimee Lambert. And like she has so often in the past, Svarc got the job done, keeping the dangerous Lambert to just 12 disposals and one clearance, paving the way for Bates, Anderson and Dawes to flourish. Svarc also got involved in attack, gathering 13 possessions to go with her seven tackles.
Say what?
"They're very excited about the chance to play at the MCG. Who wouldn't be? We've got a high-quality opposition who just snuck past us last time we played them, so there's lots of incentive to get out there and put on a good show." – Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich
"You could see the impacts of that (missing a week with COVID) on the ground today, we just didn't have anything in the legs. As much as we wanted to try, at the back end of the game we were running on the spot. In the end they got numbers to the ball better than us and we didn't have the legs to go with them." – Collingwood coach Steve Symonds
BRISBANE 1.4 4.5 6.8 10.10 (70)
COLLINGWOOD 0.1 1.1 2.1 3.2 (20)
GOALS
Brisbane: Bodey 2, Wardlaw 2, Anderson, O'Dwyer, Campbell, Hodder, R.Svarc, Farquharson
Collingwood: Frederick, Molloy, Newman
BEST
Brisbane: O'Dwyer, Dawes, Bates, Wardlaw, Hickie, C.Svarc
Collingwood: Cann, Schleicher, Molloy, Newman
INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
Collingwood: Nil
LATE CHANGES
Brisbane: Indy Tahau (illness) replaced in selected side by Maggie Harmer
Collingwood: Nil
Reports: Nil
Crowd: 2675 at the Gabba
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