BRISBANE has all but locked up a top-four finish with a 68-point defeat of Sydney at Brighton Homes Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The 11.12 (78) to 1.4 (10) victory was the Lions' eighth of the season and leaves them in third spot ahead of a date with Euro-Yroke next Sunday.
They are still in with a shot of finishing second if Hawthorn slips up in the final round against Richmond.It took the reigning premier some time to adjust to the windy conditions, but after conceding the game's first goal to Bella Smith, the Lions took total control thereafter.
Belle Dawes was magnificent for the victors, continuing a brilliant season with 22 disposals and two goals to be the game's standout player.
The pocket rocket midfielder was full of energy through congestion, setting up Shanae Davison's first goal in Lions colours and then adding two of her own in a five-goal final quarter.
Charlie Mullins (18 and a goal) was clean in the tricky conditions, Sophie Conway (25 and a goal) was also highly involved, while Jade Ellenger and captain Bre Koenen were excellent at half-back, providing Brisbane with plenty of run.
Taylor Smith kicked three goals to move to 19 for the season and two behind Geelong's Aishling Moloney as the race for the leading goalkicker goes down to the final week.
The Lions over-possessed the ball in the early stages against good Swans pressure, before eventually using the width of their home ground. The overlap run and strength in numbers was too much for Sydney to handle.
Goals in the final two minutes of the first quarter to Smith, who was on the end of a Ruby Svarc pass, and Cathy Svarc, who threaded the needle expertly from the left forward pocket, gave the hosts a lead they would not relinquish.
The second quarter was one-way traffic.Brisbane camped inside its forward 50 and took a 24-point lead to the main break despite kicking just 2.6 for the term.
Koenen was winning the ball back repeatedly at half-back, while Mullins was exerting her influence on the wing, with a terrific gather and long kick to Shannon Campbell giving the defender-turned-forward her first goal.
Up next
Sydney finishes its campaign by hosting Waalitj Marawar, also known as Fremantle, at Henson Park on Saturday (3.05pm AEDT).
BRISBANE 2.0 4.6 5.9 11.12 (78)
SYDNEY 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.4 (10)
GOALS
Brisbane: Smith 3, Dawes 2, C.Svarc, R.Svarc, Campbell, Davison, Mullins, Conway
Sydney: Smith
BEST
Brisbane: Dawes, Mullins, Ellenger, Koenen, Conway, R.Svarc
Sydney: Hurley, McEvoy, Heads, Mitchell
INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
Sydney: Davies (ankle)
LATE CHANGES
Brisbane: Nil
Sydney: Ruby Sargent-Wilson replaced in selected side by Paige Sheppard
Reports: Nil
Crowd: 3,117 at Brighton Homes Arena
