BRISBANE has all-but wrapped up the minor premiership with a commanding 45-point win over Collingwood at Metricon Stadium on Friday night.
The 8.7 (55) to 1.4 (10) triumph puts the Lions a game clear on top of the ladder, with second-placed Melbourne now having to make up 42 per cent – almost, but not quite, impossible – in a win over West Coast on Saturday to upend the standings.
Brisbane showed just why it will be hard to topple in November, holding back a fierce Magpies challenge in each of the first two quarters before whisking the game away with moments of brilliance.
The goals were spread among five players, with Jesse Wardlaw kicking two to take her tally to 19 for the season and equal with Adelaide's Ash Woodland for the most in a home-and-away campaign.
It was the Lions' pressure that stood out though, barely giving Collingwood a second with any disposal, as run-down tackles from Dakota Davidson, Courtney Hodder and Cathy Svarc typified their hunger.
Collingwood's only goal came with 75 seconds remaining to Jaimee Lambert.
After they took an 11-point lead to the first change courtesy of late goals to Hodder and Wardlaw, the Lions exploded late in the second term to put the result beyond doubt.
Goals to Davidson, Taylor Smith and a brilliant running finish from Svarc in the space of four minutes sealed the win and consigned Collingwood to an elimination final.
Hodder was amazing both with the ball (12 disposals and two goals) and without it (nine tackles) as was Svarc (18 disposals, one goal and nine tackles) and the ever-reliable Ally Anderson (26).
It wasn't just the midfielders and forwards though, with Nat Grider and captain Bre Koenen patrolling the backline and again ensuring the Lions were difficult to score against.
The result for Collingwood had nothing to do with lack of effort, they were simply half a class below on the night and will now have an anxious wait for an update on star Chloe Molloy, who left the field in the final term with what appeared a head injury after a heavy landing.
