Bates powers Lions to fourth AFLW decider

Brisbane have set up the ideal house-warming party after blasting into a fourth AFLW grand final with a 23-point defeat of Adelaide.

The Lions’ 7.4 (46) 3.5 (23) win at Gold Coast’s Metricon Stadium on Friday was built on swarming pressure and a clinical first half.

They will host the decider at their new Springfield base next Sunday – against the winner of Melbourne and North Melbourne – after the newly-laid surface was given the all-clear just hours before the Lions booked their spot.

Last year’s competition MVP Emily Bates (team-high 22 disposals) played with purpose in her first outing since a controversial snubbing from the 42-strong All-Australian squad.

Jesse Wardlaw (two goals) pinch-hit in the ruck on her way to a record-equalling 22 goals this season while Courtney Hodder’s two-goal second quarter broke the game open.

Cathy Svarc (10 disposals, six tackles, four inside 50s, one goal), Breanna Koenen, Ruby Svarc (11 tackles) and Nat Grider were typically stoic, Brisbane’s last line of defence turning away the Crows with a combination of poise and desperation.

The 2021 premiers, who finished on top of the ladder this season by a single point, have also lost two deciders while it is just the second final the three-time champion Crows will miss.

Brisbane dominated the first term with 11 inside 50s to four, but had only Svarc’s steady set shot to show for their dominance.

A four-goal second term broke the game open, Wardlaw and Hodder both kicking two as they took a 29-point lead into the main break.

The Lions were humming when Dakota Davidson threaded a right-footed banana kick through from the pocket to begin the second half.

But Adelaide rallied, Caitlin Gould and Danielle Ponter kicking the visitor’s first two goals to make it a 23-point margin late in the third term.

Brisbane steadied though, an even final quarter small consolation for the Crows given the host’s early damage.

Anne Hatchard finished with a game-high 25 disposals for the Crows.