BRISBANE'S impressive run toward back-to-back premierships came to a heartbreaking end in its preliminary final against Melbourne.  

Despite this, it was still a season for the club to be proud of, as one of the strongest teams in the competition even when facing injury, travel and disruption. 

Over the next few weeks, womens.afl will look at each of the seasons of the 14 AFLW teams in reverse ladder order. 

Coach: Craig Starcevich 

Leadership group: Breanna Koenen (captain), Emily Bates (vice captain), Kate Lutkins, Shannon Campbell, Ally Anderson, Sophie Conway, Natalie Grider, Cathy Svarc 

2022 home and away finishing position: Third, eight wins and two losses, 196.8 per cent. Lost to Melbourne in its preliminary final. 

05:30

AFLW Match Highlights: Melbourne v Brisbane

The Dees and Lions clash in the preliminary final of the NAB AFL Women's competition

Best team performance: After a horror opening round where the reigning premiers lost to Adelaide by 30 points, lost both Kate Lutkins and Dakota Davidson to injury then had COVID sweep through the playing list, Brisbane arrived at Metricon Stadium for its round three match against Carlton with a single focus: get its season back on track. And that they did, beating the Blues by 35 points. The Lions broke the then-record for inside 50s with 50, unveiled the exciting Zimmorlei Farquharson and reminded the footy world that they were still a club to be reckoned with. 

Best individual performance: It's fair to say Emily Bates had the best season of her career, but it was her performance in that same game against Carlton that stood above the rest. Winning 23 disposals, Bates used the ball at 82.6 per cent efficiency, delivered the ball inside 50 six times and won seven clearances, helping the Lions take control at the source. Deservingly she earned the 10 AFLCA votes, one of three best on ground performances for the season. 

NAB AFLW Rising Star nominations: Zimmorlei Farquharson 

00:33

Farquharson kicks memorable debut goal

Zimmorlei Farquharson has kicked her first goal at AFLW goal after this brilliant mark and finish

Debutants: Zimmorlei Farquharson, Maggie Harmer, Lucinda Pullar, Ruby Svarc, Luka Yoshida-Martin (AFLW debut), Phoebe Monahan (club debut) 

Retirees: Yet to be announced 

Delistings: Yet to be announced 

Most improved: Orla O'Dwyer has been good since joining the AFLW in 2020, but this year was her step up to great. Playing out on the wing, O'Dwyer's running capacity and ability to find space has seen her take her game to a whole new level. Winning 15.3 disposals per game, her run and carry leans right into Brisbane's game style, averaging 352.7 metres gained per game. Getting forward she has also kicked six goals, while also adding a defensive element, laying 4.2 tackles a game.  

00:41

Stellar O'Dwyer snap stuns Suns

Orla O'Dwyer extended her side's early advantage with this super snap finding the middle

Star recruit: Despite being drafted ahead of the 2021 season, Zimmorlei Farquharson didn't make her debut until round three this year, and she was worth the wait. Making an immediate impact, Farquharson's classy ball movement into attack, and presence close to goal has been yet another string in Craig Starcevich's bow. 

Unsung hero: A steady influence in defence since day one, Shannon Campbell had a stellar yet underrated season. Stepping up and taking on more responsibility with Kate Lutkins unavailable, Campbell was often asked to play bigger than her size and battled strongly in the one-on-ones. Most impressive was her ability to read the state and momentum of a game, finding pivotal moments to sneak forward and snap for goal. Campbell kicked three goals for the season - one in each of the last three games - taking her career tally to five. 

00:33

Lions on fire to start the third

Brisbane burst out of the blocks with goals to Sophie Conway and Shannon Campbell seeing them extend their lead

What worked:

  • This season Brisbane used its wings better than any other side in the competition. The rotating quartet of Orla O'Dwyer, Sophie Conway, Jade Ellenger and Ruby Svarc on the outside generated an incredible amount of run and attack for the Lions, capitalising on their newfound midfield dominance. 
  • The side was also able to impressively adapt to each situation it was presented with. After Kate Lutkins went down with an ACL injury in round one, Brisbane adjusted its game style to focus more on territory control, allowing the fewer inside 50s against which often negated the loss of the stalwart defender.  
  • Brisbane's team-first mindset continued this season, once again breaking the record for most one percenters in a single game with 48 in their preliminary final, and the side averaged the most in the competition with 31.8 per game. The knock ons, spoils, shepherds and smothers that litter the Lions' game makes them exceptionally hard to predict and play against. 

WHAT NOW FOR THE LIONS? Why it's not all doom and gloom

What needs improvement:

  • Despite their ability to adapt, losing the important Lutkins in defence exposed the one area of the ground where the Lions are a little light on for depth: tall key defenders. Without Lutkins, Brisbane's tallest in defence is the 176cm Indy Tahau, who has 19 games to her name. At times throughout the season big key forwards got a hold of the Lions, with no clearer example than Tayla Harris' record-equalling seven contested marks in round seven. 

Early call for next season: Brisbane will bounce back and bounce back quickly. With one of the youngest lists in the competition this year, but with most players boasting plenty of finals experience, the Lions will remain a genuine threat for the season seven premiership. 

Season rating: 8.5/10 

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