BRISBANE is through to a home preliminary final in Season 7 of the AFL Women’s competition after overcoming a determined Richmond at Metricon Stadium on Saturday. The Lions were forced into an arm wrestle early to only lead by two points at quarter time, before piling on four consecutive goals to seal the qualifying final win, 5.9 (39) to 3.4 (22).

Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich said he was pleased with how his side dealt with the intensity from a Tigers side that had not lost in eight weeks, including being the only side to knock off the Lions this season.

“We were able to absorb a bit of pressure from the opposition,” he said. “They were terrific in terms of their pressure numbers early in the game. we knew if we could match it they would drop away as the day went along and we were able to get on top there and start to take a bit of advantage.

“That’s always for me a bit of a measure of work and attitude and that sort of stuff, but Richmond were terrific early in the game with their pressure, and we just had to match that, stay in it and get scoring.”

Despite the win, Starcevich said there was “no doubt” his team could still improve as it approached the final fortnight of the year.

“Obviously scoring would be, we’ve had a good year with that so you can’t be too picky,” he said. “Today the result was okay but we probably left a few out there.”

Starcevich said Richmond was very strong at locking the ball down and winning in tight defensive tussles, which was contrast to the Lions’ desire to get some free-flowing football in action.

“Because we’re at each other’s throats with each other’s pressure, I think it stands to reason that it’s not going to be high scoring,” he said. “They’re able to manufacture a game style where they get some spares behind the footy which makes it hard for our forwards.

“We’ve just got to deal with that and work out the best way going forward. We had a sneak preview of that in Round 5. There was a little bit on show today as well, so that’s something we’ve got to get our heads around and do better.”

Naming Cathy Svarc‘s multiple pressure acts, subsequent free kick and goal from the first centre bounce of the second term as the “turning point” in the match, Starcevich said the work rate she showed in that passage of play, and her unwillingness to give up was a “bit of a spark” for the team.

“She’s had an enormous day, Cath, with pressure acts, tackles and clearances, offensively winning the ball herself,” he said. “Probably that moment might have been a bit of a turning point for us.”

Brisbane has such an even variety of contributors each and every week that can take control of a game, making it near-impossible for any opposition to shut down the Lions’ gamestyle. Starcevich said various players all “bob up differently” each week.

“There’s a different combo at the top of the pile most weeks,” Starcevich said. “If it’s Dakota‘s (Davidson) taken a fantastic mark in front of goal and finished off and Jesse (Wardlaw) as well. Then you get some pressure from your ground level forwards, the defenders were really well set up behind the ball and I thought our middies as a group today were the most impressive

“Tahlia (Hickie) and Taylor (Smith) were terrific in the ruck, and our ground level players all had big games, our outside mids had big games. Pretty pleased with that group of midfielders today.”

The Lions coach said the side would likely do some form of match simulation at the end of the week to ensure they were ready for the preliminary final in a fortnight. Brisbane will take on either Adelaide or Collingwood at home for a spot in the Season 7 AFL Women’s Grand Final.