Brisbane have won four straight AFLW matches for the first time since the inaugural season of the competition with a 4.11 (35) to 2.8 (20) victory over North Melbourne.
The Lions, who inflicted Collingwood’s first defeat of the season last weekend, were too strong for the Kangaroos in wet conditions at the Gabba to claim the 15-point win.
A tight first half, which included a goalless second quarter, had the teams separated by just four points at the main break.
Despite being guilty of missing some very kickable chances, the Lions outscored North by three goals to one in the second half with Courtney Hodder’s courageous fourth-quarter effort securing the win.
Hodder did very well to bring the ball to ground in front of a Kangaroos defender before scooping it up in traffic and snapping home in one of the highlights of the win.
Earlier in the quarter, the Kangaroos’ inability to turn opportunities into goals was epitomised when Daria Bannister found herself clear behind the Lions’ defence inside 50 but opted to kick a grubber from 20-odd metres out which rolled to the right for a behind.
Lions tagger Cathy Svarc added Jasmin Garner to her 2021 hitlist, limiting the influential North midfielder to just four disposals in the opening half.
Garner, who has averaged 22 touches this season, ended the match with 14 disposals.
Brisbane have a chance to secure top spot heading into the finals when they face Melbourne next weekend in their final home-and-away fixture.
Fifth-placed North take on high-flying Fremantle at home next Saturday knowing they need to win to secure their finals place.