BRISBANE couldn’t pull off the comeback heroics of its AFL side the day before and now has its season hanging by a thread after losing to Sydney at Henson Park on Sunday.

The 5.7 (37) to 3.5 (23) win has maintained the Swans’ momentum as Colin O’Riordan tries to get his side back in finals for the first time since 2023.

SWANS v LIONS Full match coverage and stats

Cynthia Hamilton landed a terrific banana goal in the first two minutes of the game to get the scoreboard in motion for Sydney, but neither side could slot another until the six-minute mark of the second term when former Lion Taylor Smith sent through a set shot against her old side.

Even though the difference to that stage of the match was just 13 points, there was little to suggest that Brisbane would be able to bridge the gap, however Craig Starcevich hasn’t created a team that lies down and at three-quarter time there was just one point in it.

When play resumed for the final stanza it was the Swans that attacked with intent, rewarded with another quick Hamilton major, this time just 32 seconds into the quarter.

When Tanya Kennedy kicked the next goal 12 minutes later the difference was 15 and, with no ‘Wharfie time’ activation to fire up the Lions, the result was secure.

Ally Morphett was a standout for Sydney with 20 disposals, 28 hit outs and a game-high seven clearances, while Tanya Kennedy put the pressure on with eight tackles and a goal.

The Lions left too much to too few, but Isabel Dawes excelled to finish with 24 disposals and six clearances.

Brisbane turned its 2025 season around after a slow start but was never behind the eight ball to the degree Starcevich now finds his side, and the coach knows that any move has to start now if there is to be a chance of making finals.

Late knock could have lasting reverberations
On a day when little was going well for Brisbane, a late head knock sent Ruby Svarc to the bench and made everything a whole lot worse. Svarc had little influence through the match, but she’s a heart-and-soul player and any time on the sidelines could cost Brisbane dearly as it tries to save its season. While the exact nature of the injury wasn’t immediately known, a history of concussions will have Svarc and her teammates very concerned.

The Swans’ excitement machine
Cynthia Hamilton kicked two goals for the game with the second being the most exciting – if Hamilton’s reaction is anything to go by. It came just moments into the final term and gave the Swans some breathing space, something the Sydney forward celebrated with goalpost slaps, chest bumps, high fives and repeated screams.

Up next
The Swans face their biggest test when they travel to Arden Street Oval to take on North Melbourne on Sunday afternoon, while the Lions will be desperate to save their season in a Saturday twilight QClash against Gold Coast.

SYDNEY      1.3    2.4    3.5    5.7 (37)
BRISBANE   0.2    1.4    3.4    3.5 (23)

GOALS
Sydney: Hamilton 2, Smith, Kennedy, Grunden
Brisbane: C.Svarc, Davidson, Crozier

BEST
Sydney: Morphett, Hamilton, Molloy, Kennedy, Ham
Brisbane: Dawes, O’Dwyer, Campbell, Conway

INJURIES
Sydney: Nil
Brisbane: C.Svarc (head)

Crowd: TBC at Henson Park