A BLOCKBUSTER second qualifying final awaits tomorrow with two of the more successful sides in AFL Women’s history going head-to-head. Considered the two threats to North Melbourne’s flag hopes, the winner will gain a substantial advantage by avoiding the Kangaroos prior to the grand final, while the loser is put on a crash course with the Roos.

IN A NUTSHELL

Date: Sunday, November 9
Venue: Ikon Park
Time: 1:05pm AEDT
Result: Winner goes to home preliminary final, loser goes to home semi-final

SEASON DETAILS

LAST TIME THEY MET

2025 | Round 11 | Brisbane 6.9 (45) def. Melbourne 5.6 (36)

Brisbane overcame an inaccurate first half and 14-point half-time deficit to boot five goals to one in the second half and run over the top of Melbourne at Ipswich. Both coaches felt it was one of the fastest games they had coached, with both sides brimming with quality. Isabel Dawes (24 disposals, three marks, 14 tackles and four clearances) and Sophie Conway (27 disposals, six tackles, three clearances, 527 metres gained and two goals) were outstanding for the Lions, while Kate Hore (26 disposals, six tackles, four clearances and a goal) and Eden Zanker (13 disposals, three marks and two goals) impressed for the Dees.

TEAM HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS

CHANGES

Melbourne has copped a big loss on the eve of the first final, losing All-Australian squad defender Maeve Chaplin set to miss the match. The Dees do regain Molly O’Hehir, with the first-year player coming in alongside father-daughter Jemma Rigoni, while Laela Ebert is the other out for the home side. Brisbane regains skipper and experienced defender Breanna Koenen returns and replaces Sophie Peters in the Lions’ outfit.

KEY PLAYERS

Given the loss of Chaplin, the Dees will look to the likes of Megan Fitzsimon and Shelley Heath to provide extra defensive pressure acts and force the Lions to rush on goal as was the case in the first half in their Round 11 match. Gaining the height of Tahlia Gillard back in the side is always important, while the all-round ability of Tyla Hanks – to be super defensively as well as impact offensively – is key for the Dees to getting on top. Then of course there’s the scoring prowess of skipper Hore and tall Eden Zanker who are the two most potent players in the front half when it comes to score involvements.

Up the other end of the ground, the tall-small combination of Taylor Smith and Courtney Hodder can cause a few headaches, while the form of Conway and Dawes running hard in transition has been crucial for the Lions in finishing the year strongly. Charlotte Mullins has further developed this year, while Ally Anderson through the middle and the defensive group of Koenen, Natalie Grider and Shannon Campbell is important as ever.

PREDICTION

A tough match to predict with the form and recent head-to-head in the Lions’ favour, but the venue now in the Dees’ favour. However it comes down to the team selection and Melbourne lose arguably its best defender for 2025, while the Lions regain the player who will play the same role for them, so Brisbane by eight points is the tip.