SNAPSHOT OF THE AFLW PRELIMINARY FINALS
THEY SAID IT: "It's more fun when you're winning ... but the reality of our season is that we haven't been as consistent as we were last season." - Adelaide coach Matthew Clarke was left disappointed as his side's premiership defence came to an end.
PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Former competition MVP Emily Bates gathered a team-high 22 disposals for the Brisbane Lions and played with purpose in her first outing since a controversial snubbing from the 42-strong All-Australian squad.
THE MOMENT: Melbourne captain Daisy Pearce stepped up when her team needed her most, kicking the sealer against North Melbourne with less than three minutes left on the clock. Pearce gathered the ball and brushed off a tackler before turning and snapping a brilliant goal around her body from 30 metres.
INJURIES: T Harris (Melb, shoulder).
STATS THAT MATTER: North Melbourne ball magnet Ash Riddell became the fastest player in AFLW to reach 1000 career disposals. She did so in just 43 games, comfortably beating the previous record held by Adelaide's Ebony Marinoff (48). Riddell had 17 disposals in the Kangaroos' season-ending loss to Melbourne.
TALKING POINT: There's a close watch on the freshly laid playing surface at Brisbane's brand new Springfield base, with the 10,000-capacity Brighton Homes Arena been cleared by AFLW officials to host the grand final. The decision ended weeks of conjecture, with the Gabba and Gold Coast's Metricon Stadium both unavailable for the season decider. The grand final will be the first competitive match at the venue.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: There were no major incidents for the match review officer to look at.
WHAT'S NEXT: Brisbane host Melbourne in a fitting grand final match-up between the two heavyweight sides that finished a game clear of all challengers at the top of the ladder. The Lions are into a fourth grand final and will be aiming for their second premiership, having previously saluted in 2021. The Demons have never won an AFLW flag despite consistently hovering near the top of the ladder.