BRISBANE has secured consecutive victories for the first time in 2026, fending off a spirited St Kilda side by 52 points at RSEA Park on Saturday afternoon.
Despite sitting last on the ladder, St Kilda's effort was a consistent feature in the 11.9 (75) to 3.5 (23) defeat. Â
The opening five minutes delivered a flurry of clearances and crisp ball movement, but overuse proved costly for the inexperienced Saints. Brisbane, meanwhile, used a combination of reliable connection through the centre and precise kicking inside 50 to prove too strong.
In what felt like a statement of intent just before half-time, midfielder Tyanna Smith booted her second of two goals, giving the Saints the feel of a team embracing a new chapter - one determined to go down fighting.Â
But the second half well and truly belonged to Brisbane, with Sophie Conway (26 disposals, one goal) marking her 100th game in style, Ally Anderson (26 disposals, seven tackles) tackles) and Orla O'Dwyer (24 disposals, one goal) all instrumental in the Lions' victory. Anderson's crucial rundown tackle late in the third quarter highlighted just how difficult the Lions are to compete with when they're in form.
At the other end, the Lions' highlight came early in the term when vice-captain Natalie Grider found herself in an unusual position inside 50 and slotted a ripping goal on her left boot while running under pressure. It was the two-time premiership defender's first AFLW goal, coming in a record 96th game.
Patrikios is powering home
Leading a midfield against the three-headed monster of Ally Anderson, Sophie Conway and Orla O'Dwyer is one of the hardest tasks in footy, but perhaps it was just the challenge Georgia Patrikios needed. The two-time St Kilda best and fairest winner's 30-disposal game matched her season-high tally from Round 1, and the third time in her career she's hit the 30-disposal threshold.Â
Up next
St Kilda finishes the home-and-away season with a clash against Port Adelaide at RSEA Park Saturday 31 October at 1:05pm Melbourne time, while the Lions take on the Blues at Brighton Homes Arena later on at 5:05pm.Â
ST KILDAÂ Â Â Â Â Â 2.2 Â Â Â 3.3 Â Â Â 3.4 Â Â Â 3.5 Â Â (23)
BRISBANE Â Â Â Â Â 4.3 Â Â Â 5.4 Â Â Â 7.5 Â Â Â 11.9 Â (75)
GOALS
Brisbane: Svarc 2, Hartill 2, Conway, Davidson, Long, Grider, O'Dwyer, Davison, Peters
St Kilda:Â Smith 2, CarisÂ
BESTÂ
St Kilda:Â Patrikios, Smith, Lambert, Watson
Brisbane:Â Conway, Svarc, O'Dwyer, Long, AndersonÂ
INJURIES
St Kilda:Â Nil
Brisbane:Â Nil
Crowd:Â 1308 at RSEA ParkÂ
