The Western Bulldogs have become the 2018 AFLW Premiers after defeating Brisbane by a narrow six points in wet and miserable conditions at Ikon Park.
Despite the Bulldogs being kept to just a single point in the first half, an inspired three-goal third term broke their drought and propelled them into the lead going into the final quarter.
Monique Conti of the Western Bulldogs was judged best afield, winning the Player of the Match award following her 14 disposal game - 13 of which were contested - and crucial goal at the conclusion of the third quarter.
While the Lions were vigilant, they too were unable to trouble the scoreboard, with two scoreless quarters allowing the Bulldogs to sneak in front and hold on to their narrow lead.
The luckless Lions, who again went down in the Grand Final by a single kick for the second consecutive year, were understandably heartbroken in the Bulldogs' elation.
Without skipper Katie Brennan due to a highly controversial suspension received last week, the Dogs persevered without their leader and ultimately walked away with the coveted honour following the hard-fought slog.
Hoping to cast aside their Grand Final demons from last season, Brisbane opened proceedings with Sophie Conway slotting her first major in the wet.
But it would ultimately end up being the only major for the game until the second half.
As the rain refused to relent, the ball became difficult to control and marks were few and far between them.
Soccering the ball off the ground to gain territory yet again proved to be the most effective way to surge forward, but it was the final conversion of scores which both sides were unable to achieve due to the slippery conditions and constricted style of gameplay.
Although the ball rarely broke away from the tight congestion, the Lions did manage to find some space as they dominated the uncontested possession count.
While the Bulldogs managed to force the ball into their forward 50 despite their sloppiness, Kate Lutkins cut off all of their entries playing loose in defence, earning best on ground honours for the Lions with 21 disposals and six marks.
Brisbane had all the control in the opening half despite the greasy conditions, yet their influence around the ground failed to punish the Bulldogs on the scoreboard.
With the scores sitting at 0.1 to 1.1 going into the latter half of the game, any score would be crucial in the low-scoring affair and would spell the difference between exhilaration and heartbreak.
The Western Bulldogs' endeavour in the premiership quarter ultimately tipped them over the line, with a 3.1 term catapulting them into the lead.
As the Bulldogs cleaned up their ball movement, Deanna Berry capitalised on her side's revitalisation, levelling the scores with a long kick through the big sticks.
A poster from Aisling Utri edged the Bulldogs in front by a single point soon thereafter, and from there the Bulldogs' momentum continued to manifest.
The midfield force of Emma Kearney (15 disposals) and Ellie Blackburn (17 disposals) proved their importance to the Bulldogs yet again despite the unfavourable conditions underfoot, presenting the Dogs with numerous opportunities.
Brennan's replacement in Kirsten McLeod seized them with both hands, putting the Bulldogs in front by a huge seven points given the miserable conditions.
The scoreboard damage would get even worse for the Lions, as Conti weaved through heavy traffic and wheeled around on her right boot with a thumping snap to give her side a 13-point advantage with 15 seconds left in the term.
Jess Wuetschner tried to reignite the Lions' spark with two goals in the final quarter, but it was Kearney who kicked the Bulldogs' sealer, solidifying their place as 2018 AFLW premiers.
One last roll of the dice from Wuetschner in the dying seconds almost levelled the scores - her desperate kick among congestion flying towards Conway, who was bested in a three-on-one contest.
As the siren sounded, the Bulldogs couldn't control their sheer joy as their miracle transformation from cellar-dwellers to premiers came to be.
With Blackburn and the sidelined Brennan raising the premiership cup in front of the Bulldog faithful, the daughters of the west proved in the ultimate fashion how they were the best side in the AFLW for the entire year.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.1 0.1 3.2 4.3 (27) BRISBANE LIONS 1.1 1.1 1.1 3.3 (21)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Berry, Conti, Kearney, McLeoad
Brisbane: Wuetschner 2, Conway
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Conti, Blackburn, Kearney
Brisbane: Wuetschner, Lutkins, Stanton
Comentários