BOUNCING back from just its second loss of the AFL Women’s season, Brisbane produced a commanding victory over Gold Coast to move to 5-2 for Season 8 and hold onto a spot inside the top four. The Lions kept the Suns to just three goals in the match – one in the second half – while posting a equal season-high 45 inside 50s in the six-goal victory.

Lions coach Craig Starcevich described the performances as a “little more complete” compared to his team’s earlier games this season, and while there were still areas to improve on, overall her was pleased.

“We dropped off a little bit with work and pressure in the second half, but it didn’t cost us territory, so that was pleasing,” Starcevich said. “That’s as hard as we’ve run from go to woe, for any game this year. This ground lends itself to that though, so it actually suits our style of play a bit. That was the pleasing bit, the start to finish effort.”

Brisbane came off a shock loss to Collingwood the week before as the Magpies ran over the top of the usually composed Lions in the second half, with Brisbane’s inaccuracy coming back to haunt the Queensland side. When asked if the side was extra “hungry” to get a win or if the form was what should be the benchmark each week, Starcevich said it was a little of both.

“Human nature says you’re always a bit more desperate and hungry after a loss I suppose,” he said. “You’d expect that from professional athletes every week. It was actually good response, we’ve let a couple slip through our fingers this year, the record couple be a lot better than what it is. Pleasing that we rebounded like that and responded like that.”

In an even contest around the ball, Brisbane just edged the Suns on the inside (114-109 contested possessions) and outside (143-134 uncontested possessions), with Starcevich declaring it was the best game the midfield group had played all season.

“Gold Coast are improving rapidly, they’re looking like a very good team,” Starcevich said. “You need to match them on the inside with the size of their midfielders, so pleasing that Cathy (Svarc) and Bre (Koenen) and Belle (Dawes) were able to do that and once it gets out, Ally (Anderson) slips into gear.

“From that point of view, it was a nice complete performance by all of them in there. I must say Tahlia (Hickie) was outstanding in the ruck and good with her marking around the ground so that group in particular, that’s probably their best game as a group.”

Brisbane’s biggest challenge this season thus far awaits the Lions next week when they take on Adelaide at Brighton Homes Arena. Starcevich said remaining in Queensland for multiple weeks will help the group retain continuity heading into the clash against the unbeaten side.

“Being at home for consecutive week helps everyone’s energy levels and help recover a lot better and all that sort of stuff,” he said. “It will be nice to play an opposition next week who we’ve had a long rivalry with over the years and they’re in good form, we’re in okay form. I still think we’re building a little bit, but it’s a nice chance to actually test yourself and see exactly where we are.”