Lions prevail while Gold Coast makes history for wrong reasons
REVENGE is a dish best served cold.
But the Lions sizzled in the searing Brisbane heat on Sunday to claim an emphatic 10.5 (65) to 0.2 (2) win over arch rival Gold Coast in the AFLW’s QClash.
The two-point haul for the Gold Coast is the lowest match total in AFLW history, surpassing the three behinds kicked by Richmond against St Kilda last season.
It was a stark contrast from last season when the Suns stormed home in the second half of the firstever QClash to snatch a draw with Brisbane that felt more like a win for the Gold Coast.
Given the Suns had mercilessly raided Brisbane’s playing and coaching stocks in the previous offseason, it was a bitter pill for the Lions to swallow.
But there was no comeback at Hickey Park on Sunday with Lions full forward Jesse Wardlaw booting four goals to claim the best-onground gong.
Brisbane put their foot on the Gold Coast’s throat and kept it there to start their 2021 campaign with their second win from two outings and condemning the Suns to their second loss.
The Lions led by 16 points at quarter-time and by 29 points at the main break with the Gold Coast remaining scoreless.
Wardlaw kicked her third major in the third term to make it 41-0.
A Jamie Stanton behind was the first score for the Suns to cut the margin to 40 points.
The quartet of Sophie Conway, Lauren Arnell, Natalie Grider and Isabel Dawes were at the heart of most of Brisbane’s attack with Wardlaw and Greta Bodey always dangerous up forward for the Lions.
Brisbane defenders Kate Lutkins and Breanna Koenen repelled any Suns attacking movement and quickly put the Lions back on the front foot.