FORMER Brisbane star Tayla Harris has played a starring role as Melbourne stole a three-point AFLW win over the Lions at Metricon Stadium.
Harris kicked two crucial goals and claimed seven contested marks as the Demons rebounded from being down 22-nil late in the second quarter to win 5.5 (35) to 4.8 (32) over the premiers.
Just like last year’s meeting between these teams, Lion Greta Bodey had the chance to win the game with a free kick after the siren, but, as it did in 2021, Bodey’s kick fell short to end the Lions’ five-game winning run.
As well as her two goals and seven contested marks, Harris ended the game with 13 disposals and seven score involvements.
The 24-year-old was ably supported by Karen Paxman who claimed 23 disposals while ex-Geelong star Olivia Purcell (14 disposals) was also impressive on her return from the ACL injury which wrecked her 2021 campaign in her first appearance for the Demons.
Coming off a 69-point demolition of Gold Coast last Thursday, the Lions made a perfect start when Orla O’Dwyer marked her 25th AFLW appearance with the opening goal.
Melbourne meanwhile was held scoreless in the opening term and lucky to only be down by nine points at the first break.
Goals to Sophie Conway and Bodey at the start of the second quarter gave Brisbane the lead their dominance deserved as the Demons found themselves being swamped by the premiers’ aggressive press around the footy.
With a scoreless half looming, the Demons’ got some momentum heading into the main break with their first points when Bannan kicked her first goal with just over a minute to play.
That proved match-turning as the Demons went on a charge in the third term, kicking three goals to one to transform a 17-point deficit at halftime into just a one-point margin at the final turn.
The turnaround was sparked by ex-Lion Harris, who had four score involvements from the Demons’ first five scores including one of the three third-quarter goals.
The star forward’s second of the game, after claiming her sixth contested mark in front of goal, put the Demons in front for the first time in the match early in the fourth term.
It was a lead the visitors didn’t relinquish with Bodey’s shot after the siren falling agonisingly short to end a run of three games in nine days on a low note for the Lions.
Melbourne’s next game is a mouthwatering match-up against third-placed North Melbourne on Saturday while Brisbane faces West Coast on Sunday.
(C) AAP 2022
