Brisbane bounced back from a “mini-crisis” to return to winning ways with a 31-point AFLW home victory over the GWS Giants on Saturday night.

Hurting after back-to-back defeats, including an embarrassing 56-point loss to Melbourne last weekend, the Lions responded with a 7-13 (55) to 3.6 (24) win at Brighton Homes Arena.

While the Lions were wasteful in front of goal, their performance would have satisfied coach Craig Starcevich, who in the build-up to the game admitted that his injury-hit outfit was “desperate” and in a “mini-crisis”.

Forward Shanae Davison was Brisbane’s most potent threat in attack, kicking two goals for the winners.

“They love to get on their bikes and get up the ground …, so if I can stop that and burn them on the other way, I’ll keep doing that,” Davison told Fox Footy at half-time.

Lions star Orla O’Dwyer finished with 21 possessions, including a goal, while teammates Charlotte Mullins and Belle Dawes each chipped in with 20 disposals.

“We really just wanted to compete and play well,” Dawes said after her team’s second win of the season,

“We definitely didn’t kick straight tonight so we’ve still got a bit to work on, but that’s a good step in the right direction.”

Despite the Giants suffering their third defeat from four games this season, GWS assistant coach Emma Zielke was pleased with her side’s effort in the early stages of the second-half.

“Our third-quarter pressure lifted, the “Orange tsunaml’” showed up and we capitalised on the scoreboard,” said Zielke, a former Brisbane captain who led the Lions to an AFLW premiership in 2021.

Lions roar early

Intent on responding after successive losses, the Lions took control from the opening bounce and should have led by more than their 14-point quarter-time advantage.

Brisbane had 80 disposals to the Giants’ 59 in the first-quarter, with the Lions entering their 50-metre attacking zone 14 times compared to six occasions from GWS.

“Not too bad from the territory point of view, but it’s on the back of our midfield workrate and pressure, taking some ground off the opposition and forcing them into turnovers on their way out of their defensive 50.” Brisbane coach Starcevich told Fox Footy at quarter-time..

“That has been really pleasing from our end.”

Precise Parker

Giants midfielder Alyce Parker starred for the losing team, having 13 possessions after two quarters, and finishing the contest with a game-high 31 disposals.

“I’ve liked her presence as the release option,” Fox Footy expert and two-time All-Australian Meghan McDonald said .

“She has opened the ground up with her left foot, she’s bringing her presence across the ground, she’s providing that leadership, she just needs a few players to be able to go with her.

“She’s largely been one-out for the Giants.”

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