Gunditjmara forward Dakota Davidson carried on her form when it counts most in Brisbane's surge past Carlton in the weekend's preliminary final.
The 26-year-old hit the scoreboard twice to help her Lions turn the balance in a six-goal term after a tight second half against this season's bolters, setting up grand final meeting with North for the third consecutive season this Saturday.
Carlton knocked off the back-to-back grand finalists and 2023 premiers in their earlier meeting at Brighton Homes Arena in August.
Davidson's contributions up front, both highlight-reel worthy efforts, made it four straight prelims with multiple majors, from the six played in her career.
Dakota Davidson, what a strike!
The Lions putting their soccer skills on show ⚽@Coles | #AFLWFinals | #AFLWLionsCrows pic.twitter.com/QjaozxKXa1
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) November 23, 2024
She was the difference with 3.1 in her first grand final qualifier - a four point win over Collingwood in 2021.
With the exception of last year's disappointing team showing in a grand final loss to North, Davidson has hit the scoreboard in 10 of 12 finals played.
She kicked doubles in all three finals leading in 2023 Brisbane's premiership campaign, won against the Kangaroos, replicating that last year up until the 30-point loss against the same opposition in the decider.
The Blues put up a decent showing in what was a preliminary final berth following a four-win 14th placed finish in 2024 having posted big wins over West Coast and Hawthorn en route.
Brisbane emerged from the half time break, leading by under a kick, to put together a six goal to one third quarter.
"To pull that one out there the way we did, but it's probably on the back of the wall bursting a little bit, because our work and pressure in the first half was pretty good. It was just a matter of time whether we could get some scoreboard ascendancy," Lions coach Craig Starcevich said post-match.
Starcevich was also full of plaudits for small forward Courtney Hodder.
The Yamatji-Noongar rugby convert had 19 touches, a goal and two clearances, causing trouble for the Blues with most of her opportunities with the ball.
"She plays with the speed and intensity not many do," Starcevich added.
"If the ball is within a 10-15 metre radius of her, no one's safe. She's either coming up meeting the ball herself, and she's so agile because of their shape and size, but her speed and agility is second to none. But if she hasn't got the ball, look out."
Ally Anderson was also solid in the contest, collecting an equal game-high 24 touches, off the back of 28 and four clearances in the qualifying final win over Melbourne a fortnight earlier.
The Dees pushed the minor premier and reigning champion North Melbourne, threatening to break an all-time men's and women's record 24-game unbeaten streak before the flag favourites edged ahead in the final term.
North's last loss came in the 2023 grand final to Brisbane.
Starcevich admitted he'll look at the tape of their prelim and how Melbourne's pressure almost dismantled their faultless run.
"We're one all at the moment (in back-to-back grand finals)...They've got the amazing run. We're also on a bit of a run at the moment," he said, adding "I think we're in really good hunting form at the moment, getting after the opposition. I think that makes it hard for any team to get their game going".
North has had the wood over Brisbane since the 2023 decider.
Jawoyn mid Mia King will face a selection battle, with teammates and possible her own body, as she chases a second premiership medal.
King was a test to return at Roos training last week on her way back from a PCL injury suffered late in the home and away season.
"Mia really turned a corner in her knee rehab in the last week and is back training with the main group after ticking off return-to-contact rehab and high intensity agility," North physio Billy Williams said last week.
"She will need to complete more full-training content this week but is on track to be available."
King did not feature in the Kangaroos come from behind win against the Demons.
