Geelong has fallen just short of a maiden Grand Final berth after going down to Brisbane by four points in a spirited effort at Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday night.
The Cats fought back from a 12-point deficit at quarter-time, with the lead changing six times throughout the game, before the Lions prevailed 6.2 (38) to 5.4 (34).
The Lions will be sweating on scans for star forward Dakota Davidson, who left the field in the third quarter with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.
In her absence, Shannon Campbell was thrown forward and ultimately kicked the final goal of the game to put Brisbane in front with five minutes to go.
The victory came despite Geelong's persistence, remaining a threat until the last siren. The home side led at each break, but found itself on the back foot early in the last quarter by way of an Aishling Moloney goal out the back.
When the Cats were able to find that small margin of space around the contest that they got on top. With Georgie Prespakis propelling the ball forward, Geelong was then able to put the Lions' defence under pressure, allowing Jackie Parry (two goals, seven disposals) to use her strength in front of goal.
Prespakis (21 disposals, six clearances) worked her way into the game, while Morrison (nine clearances, 20 disposals) picked up where she left off last week.
The sides traded goals throughout the second and third quarters. Geelong looked threatening throughout the third term, trapping Brisbane in its defensive pocket, but the visitors simply couldn't turn that into scoreboard pressure.
Inaugural Cat Renee Garing bade goodbye to AFLW with the loss, having announced her retirement earlier this year. Garing played 33 games, returning this season after giving birth to her son Parker last year.
With an injury cloud coming into the game after fracturing her collarbone in Geelong's elimination final win over Essendon a fortnight ago, Chloe Scheer proved to the world that she was fully fit. Firstly by taking down Jen Dunne in a strong tackle to test out her collarbone, before dobbing a casual goal around the body from 45m the following quarter.
Brisbane will take on the winner of Sunday's Preliminary Final between North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos and Adelaide.
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00:57HighlightsHighlights
Keighton Matofai-Forbes
With the Club's final selection, Geelong drafted Keighton Matofai-Forbes with pick 69. Proudly Presented by Pepperstone.
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00:38HighlightsHighlights
Lennox Hofmann Draft Highlights
With Geelong’s third selection, the Cats selected Lennox Hofmann with pick 66. Proudly Presented by Pepperstone.
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00:50HighlightsHighlights
Jacob Molier Draft Highlights
With its second selection of the Telstra AFL Draft, the Cats drafted South Australian forward/ruck Jacob Molier with pick 52.
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00:50HighlightsHighlights
Jay Polkinghorne Draft Highlights
With its first selection the Cats selected South Australian forward Jay Polkinghorne with pick 44. Proudly Presented by Pepperstone.
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Draft Memories | Tom Stewart
Tom Stewart relives his draft memories after he was drafted by Geelong at number 40 in 2006. Proudly Presented by Pepperstone
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04:45
Draft Memories | Mitch Duncan
Mitch Duncan takes us back to his draft memories, after being drafted by Geelong at number 28 in the 2009 National Draft. Presented by Pepperstone
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01:06
All Geelong Adventures | 2025 AFL Fixture Release
Watch on as we touch on our 2025 AFL Fixture, and our 10 GMHBA Home Games!
AFL
Fixture
BRISBANE 2.1 4.2 5.2 6.2 (38)
GEELONG 0.1 3.3 4.4 5.4 (34)
GOALS
Brisbane: Davidson 2, Hodder, Mullins, O'Dwyer, Campbell,
Geelong: Parry 2, Scheer, Scott, A.Moloney
BEST
Brisbane: Anderson, O'Dwyer, Ellenger, Dawes, C.Svarc, Koenen
Geelong: Prespakis, D.Moloney, Morrison, Kearns, Gunjaca
INJURIES
Brisbane: Davidson (left knee)
Geelong: Nil
Crowd: 4903 at Brighton Homes Arena
