AFTER a Covid induced delay, the second of the AFLW Qualifying Finals will final-ly happen this weekend. Brisbane will lock horns with Collingwood in a repeat of last year’s preliminary final.

Covid ripped through Collingwood’s camp on the eve of the originally scheduled date, forcing match had to be pushed back a week. The game is happening, and the reward for the winner will be facing Melbourne in the preliminary final next weekend.

There are a whole lot of factors heading into this match that will make things very interesting, but do point to the Lions getting the chocolates.

Firstly, the very different build ups these two sides have had.

Because of the postponement, the Lions got an extra unexpected week off, which will mean they come into this clash very refreshed.

The same cannot be said for Collingwood. Not only did Covid sweep through the playing group, but those players in isolation did not get out of isolation until Wednesday, which left very little time for training and preparation as a group.

Recent history also suggests that the Lions should get the win in this clash. The last time these two sides met was back in Round 5 this year, where in very windy conditions it was the Lions that got the win.

However, the last time these sides met in a final was only last year, where it went down to the wire, but Brisbane ultimately got the win and then went on to win the flag.

One thing that has been Collingwood’s Achilles heal this season has been interstate travel. The Magpies have travelled interstate three times this season, and not once have they come home with the four points.

The contest inside Brisbane’s forward line is sure to be an entertaining one. Brisbane has plenty of proven and dangerous forward options, and Collingwood’s defenders are some of the best in the competition, so we are sure to be entertained with some fierce battles down there.

Now either Ruby Schleicher or Stacey Livingstone will no doubt take Jesse Tawhaio-Wardlaw, but the Pies will still have to contend with keeping the likes of Courtney Hodder quiet, which may fall to the likes of Alana Porter to have to tackle.

If Schleicher does not take Wardlaw, then the Lions will certainly have to ensure her influence is kept to a minimum because she has the potential to be a dangerous thorn in the side for the Lions.

The battle through the midfield at full strength would be a treat, but with Collingwood missing both Brianna Davey and Brittany Bonnici to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, it falls to Jaimee Lambert and Mikala Cann to try and limit the influence of Emily Bates and Ally Anderson.

Brisbane also has its fair share of casualties with the biggest being key defender Kate Lutkins who also suffered an ACL injury in Round 1. The Lions have enough depth to overcome her loss, as exemplified by their season. That depth is why the home team should take home the win and advance to the massive preliminary final at the MCG.