Reigning premiers Brisbane have advanced to a record-extending sixth AFLW grand final after absorbing an early buffeting to beat Adelaide by 18 points at Brighton Homes Arena. The Lions were dictated to in the first half on Saturday night before turning the tables after the long break, booting five goals in a row to prevail 7.8 (50) to 4.8 (32).

Brisbane will now take on undefeated North Melbourne in a grand final rematch in next Saturday night’s decider at Ikon Park.

Orla O’Dwyer and Ally Anderson had 24 disposals apiece for the Lions, while powerhouse spearhead Dakota Davidson kicked 2.3 from her 14 touches. Usual suspects Ebony Marinoff (30 disposals), Anne Hatchard (25) and Chelsea Randall (18 touches, two goals) were prolific for the Crows, who were fast out of the blocks but ultimately ran out of steam.

Brisbane turned the tables on Adelaide in the third term, matching them in the pressure stakes, while generating tremendous drive on the outside. Jade Ellenger’s major at the 11-minute mark – after Crows fullback Chelsea Biddell was called to play on, after taking an intercept mark in the goal square and being tackled by Sophie Conway – gave the Lions their first lead of the evening. From that point on, Brisbane ran riot to gradually shut the door on Adelaide’s campaign.

- with Australian Associated Press

Q4. 1 min remaining: Brisbane 7.8.50 v Adelaide 4.8.32

Ponter has an opportunity to gather in the forward pocket but is immediately shut down by Campbell and an swarm of Lions. The home side has lifted as the stakes have risen and although Keeley Kustermann gets the Crows’ first goal of the second half they have run out of time.

Q4. 3 mins remaining: Brisbane 7.8.50 v Adelaide 3.8.26

The Lions are closing the game down now with the finish line in sight. Randall takes a grab in the centre square but the Crows are outnumbered in the forward half as the Lions flood back to protect their lead. The ball bounces back to the other end, the increasingly dangerous Davidson snaps it to the square but a rushed behind is a little of a let down.

Q4. 6 mins remaining: Brisbane 7.7.49 v Adelaide 3.8.26

Bel Dawes might have just kicked the Lions into their third consecutive grand final. The Lions win the ball at a stoppage inside their forward 50, Dawes gets on the end of some slick handball and storms towards goal to slot the major on the run. She sprints away with a finger raised in the air and that might be the Crows’ dreams that have been dismissed.

Q4. 7 mins remaining: Brisbane 6.7.43 v Adelaide 3.8.26

Davidson has another opportunity to ice the game after standing unopposed in the forward pocket while having a sneaky breather and taking an uncontested mark. The key forward is in no hurry but is off line for another behind.

Q4. 9 mins remaining: Brisbane 6.6.42 v Adelaide 3.8.26

The Crows drive the ball forward to Randall but the key forward is too far out. The Lions intercept the kick forward and clear the danger. The Crows are at risk of running out of time but you suspect this is going right down to the wire.

Q4. 11 mins remaining: Brisbane 6.6.42 v Adelaide 3.8.26

Davidson almost seals the Lions’ spot in the grand final with a spectacular solo goal. The key forward outmuscles Zoe Prowse to win a one-on-one groundball contest, tries to dribble a right-footed goal from a tight angle but an unlucky bounce takes the ball into the post. That would’ve been a goal worthy of winning the game but the Crows stay alive.

Q4. 15 mins remaining: Brisbane 6.4.40 v Adelaide 3.8.26

Somehow the intensity has lifted even higher as the Crows push and push to find a way back into the preliminary final. The Lions defence stands up but this game is far from over.

Q3. 1 min remaining: Brisbane 6.5.41 v Adelaide 3.7.25

Ruby Svarc streams through the centre square and finds her sister Cathy at half-forward. A quick spin and kick forward ends with Hodder near goal but the Crows defenders close in. The electric forward bamboozles the defenders with a spin, a baulk, then a quick kick off the ground but the ball slams into the post.

What was that about the Crows not putting the Lions away? All one-way traffic since then.

Q3. 3 mins remaining: Brisbane 6.4.40 v Adelaide 3.7.25

Dakota Davidson kicks another, this time off the deck after bouncing of the Crows defender in a one-on-one. Cathy Svarc started it from the middle of the park, Orla O’Dwyer set it up with a kick off the ground from the arc. This game has turned but the Crows have enough time to respond.

Q3. 4 mins remaining: Brisbane 5.4.34 v Adelaide 3.7.25

Huge bump as Mullins and Martin refuse to take a backward step as they come from opposite directions for a bouncing ball. Martin clears it away for the Crows and the battle continues. This could hardly be more intense.

Q3. 6 mins remaining: Brisbane 5.4.34 v Adelaide 3.7.25

Two in two minutes! Where did that come from? But this is what the Lions do. Defend to the death then take their opportunities. The pressure is too hot for the Crows to handle and Cathy Svarc takes advantage with a clever mark and goal.

Q3. 7 mins remaining: Brisbane 4.4.28 v Adelaide 3.7.25

This is ferocious finals footy. Bella Dawes attacks a contest on the forward 50 arc at pace, gathers and spins out of trouble to send the ball to the top of the goal square. A pack forms and Dawes is back to receive a handpass but her snap falls short and Chelsea Biddell takes a strong mark … but, hang on, she has been called to play on. I have no idea what that was for but a desperate handball has landed in Jade Ellenger hands to boot a goal from 20m out directly in front.

The Lions are in front for the first time tonight!

Q3. 10 mins remaining: Brisbane 3.4.22 v Adelaide 3.7.25

Marinoff wins another clearance at half-back for the Crows and sends the ball towards a two-on-two at the other end of the square. Randall refuses to allow Allan to lock the ball in for a stoppage, rips it away and hands off to Ponter. But the Crows forward hooks the shot on the run and another chance goes begging.

The Lions are hanging on, the Crows don’t know how to put them away.

Q3. 12 mins remaining: Brisbane 3.4.22 v Adelaide 3.6.24

Madison Newman has a gilt-edge opportunity with a shot on the run from 40m out directly in front but misses narrowly. Seconds later and Newman is making her way to the bench with signs of favouring a heavily strapped shoulder.

Q3. 15 mins remaining: Brisbane 3.4.22 v Adelaide 3.5.23

A blazing start from the Lions as they take the ball from end-to-end to make it a one point game. Davidson takes a strong mark at half-back then moves the ball on quickly to find Svarc streaming towards goal. The speedy forward has Ellie Hampson finding space alone in front of her but the pass misses the target. Hampson is the first to gather off the deck, takes the shot from an acute angle and squeezes it through.

Q2. 1 min remaining: Brisbane 2.4.16 v Adelaide 3.5.23

The Crows push hard to respond before half-time but it takes a one-handed screamer from Chelsea Randall to seal the deal. Nat Grinder couldn’t do much more in the one-on-one as the Crows spearhead holds her off with one arm and uses the other to bring the ball down. Incredible grab and just the sort of moment that can decide a final.

Q2. 2 mins remaining: Brisbane 2.4.16 v Adelaide 2.5.17

There noticeable rise in intensity as these two old combatants look to find an advantage leading into the main break. Munyard tries to take on Anderson in the centre square but the Lions midfielder nails a tough tackle, bombs the ball forward and quick hands deliver it to Courtney Hodder racing across the arc to boot a team-lifter.

Q2. 4 mins remaining: Brisbane 1.4.10 v Adelaide 2.5.17

Dakota Davidson steps up just when the Lions need to respond. The bustling forward works into front position in a one-on-one with Sarah Allan, marks, goals and pumps a fist in celebration. Game on!

Q2. 5 mins remaining: Brisbane 0.4.4 v Adelaide 2.5.17

Caitlin Gould with a huge pack mark. Chelsea Randall split part of the pack open then her teammate came flying over the top of whatever remained. Gould goes back and from 40m out directly in front gives the Crows some breathing space. Ominous signs for the reigning premier.

Q2. 7 mins remaining: Brisbane 0.4.4 v Adelaide 1.5.11

Anne Hatchard shows all her class to win the ball at a stoppage and burst into space to find Caitlin Gould on a lead in the Crows’ forward 50. The key forward lines up on a tight angle but kicks it too skinny for another behind.

Q2. 10 mins remaining: Brisbane 0.4.4 v Adelaide 1.4.10

Marinoff is starting to have a big say on this encounter as the gun midfielder picks up possessions with ease whether at the contest or in open play on the win. The Crows co-captain sends the ball forward but the Lions defence have plugged all the gaps.

Q2. 12 mins remaining: Brisbane 0.4.4 v Adelaide 1.4.10

Orla O’Dwyer almost makes the Crows pay with a shot from 30m out but is the latest to blaze wide. The Lions set up the wall and lock the ball in their forward half.

Q2. 15 mins remaining: Brisbane 0.3.3 v Adelaide 1.4.10

Adelaide clear the ball from the first bounce through Ponter and it lands with Teah Charlton inside the forward 50. The half-forward has a sight on goal but the kick never looks likely as it goes through for a behind.

Q1. 1 min remaining: Brisbane 0.3.3 v Adelaide 1.3.9

The Lions win the centre clearance but can’t find a player near goal. The Crows clear and go around the wing in their search for a late goal to extend their lead. The Lions defence stands firm.

Q1. 3 mins remaining: Brisbane 0.3.3 v Adelaide 1.3.9

Chelsea Randall gets the opening goal of the preliminary final. Zoe Prowse opens up the play with a dart into the centre square. A long bomb heads to the top of the goal square where Randall reaches highest in a pack of players from both sides. Impressive grab, and finally we see some straight shooting.

Q1. 5 mins remaining: Brisbane 0.3.3 v Adelaide 0.3.3

The game opens up as both sides use the wings to move the ball, gradually, around the park. Nerves seem to be settling.

Q1. 8 mins remaining: Brisbane 0.3.3 v Adelaide 0.3.3

The Lions are taking their turn to control the territory as they lock the ball forward but, like the Crows earlier, are unable to take their chances. Conway misses another shot, this one much tougher than the first. Dakota Davidson then looks to have dobbed the first major but even the Lions spearhead is yet to find her range.

Q1. 8 mins remaining: Brisbane 0.1.1 v Adelaide 0.3.3

The Lions surge the ball inside 50 for the first time and wouldn’t it be typical if they now slot the first goal. Sophie Conway looks all but certain to do just that as she streams towards the goalline on a slight angle but the shot on the run from 5m out slices to the right of the goalpost. The yips might be spreading.

Q1. 10 mins remaining: Brisbane 0.0.0 v Adelaide 0.3.3

Hannah Munyard has another chance for the Crows but her shot bounces the wrong side of the goal post. The Crows have suffered from wayward kicking for goal all season, and while they are making a fast start tonight, will they be left to rue these misses?

Q1. 12 mins remaining: Brisbane 0.0.0 v Adelaide 0.2.2

The Crows claim the first four inside 50s of the preliminary final but, as they are painfully prone to doing, fail to make the most of their opportunities. Chelsea Randall has the first shot on goal in the game but sprays it wide. Danielle Ponter does much the same shortly after.

Q1. 15 mins remaining: Brisbane 0.0.0 v Adelaide 0.0.0

A cagey opening between the familiar foes as the ball bounces between the arcs. Adelaide lock the ball in their forward half with repeat stoppages but are left searching for space closer to goal.

The national anthem has been belted out, the players are running to their starting positions, and the latest clash between the AFLW powerhouses is about to get underway. Let’s get into it!

The Lions are hoping to become the first club to go back-to-back in the AFLW after overrunning the Kangaroos in the grand final last year. The Roos are undefeated since then and already waiting for their shot at redemption in the decider after dismantling the Power in their preliminary final earlier today.

It might make for ominous reading for Lions and Crows fans, but catch up on the red-hot Roos stunning performance at Ikon Park:

Brisbane and Adelaide are both unchanged from the teams that booked their spot in this preliminary final.

The Lions have enjoyed a week off after holding off the Hawks by six points in their qualifying final, while the Crows have gone the long way to this do-or-die final after falling seven points of the Kangaroos at the same stage. A resounding 37-point victory over the Dockers followed as the Crows fine-tuned for this clash with their arch-rivals.