FALLING agonisingly close of a second premiership, Brisbane's season was near-perfect.
Boasting the competition best and fairest for the second straight season, and a record-breaking leading goalkicker, it was just four points on the final day of the season that prevented the Lions from claiming another piece of silverware.
Head coach: Craig Starcevich
Leadership group: Breanna Koenen (captain), Natalie Grider (vice-captain), Ally Anderson, Emily Bates
Ladder position after home and away season: 1st, nine wins and one loss, 282.4%
Ladder position after finals: 2nd, 11 wins and two losses, 251.0%
Debutants: Mikayla Pauga (AFLW debut), Dee Heslop (club debut)
Milestones: Shannon Campbell, Kate Lutkins (50 games), Dee Heslop, Tahlia Hickie, Courtney Hodder, Taylor Smith (25 games)
Rising Star nominations: Nil
Retirements: TBC
Best team performance
In round eight's then-top of the table clash against Adelaide, Brisbane proved its credentials as one of the most dominant teams in the competition.
A tight first quarter was what most expected of the matchup, with both teams working really well defensively, but the Lions totally broke the game open in the second quarter, showing their ability to shift gears and swing momentum wholly their way. Kicking 4.2 (26) while keeping the Crows scoreless, Brisbane flexed its muscles in the second term.
Brisbane not only won the disposal count by 26, but also laid 20 more tackles than the Crows. Sophie Conway and Jesse Wardlaw each kicked two goals for the game, while eventual competition best and fairest winner Ally Anderson had 22 disposals and kicked a goal of her own.
Best individual performance
Last season's competition best and fairest winner Emily Bates put on a show against Greater Western Sydney in round two. After a slow start, Brisbane surged back into the game to ultimately win by 47 points, much of that thanks to Bates.
The midfielder evidently enjoyed the Manuka Oval deck so much that she used her 20 disposals at an elite 85 per cent efficiency, while also laying six tackles and winning four clearances. Not typically a goalkicker, she snuck forward to kick a career-best two goals as well.
Most improved
Ruby Svarc's move into the forward line this season was a revelation for the speedster, who looked to be teetering on the fringes of the side during the preseason.
Using her speed not only to attack, but to offer great defensive pressure was vital to a Brisbane side that was built on forward pressure. Svarc kicked five goals for the season, including an impressive run from half back which was followed up by a strong tackle to win a holding the ball free kick.
Svarc averaged 3.8 tackles (1.2 inside 50) and 1.9 score involvements in an important supporting role.
Star recruit
Delisted by Gold Coast, Dee Heslop came to the Lions and not only played 11 games including a Grand Final but pushed Lucinda Pullar out of the side.
Not a big stat winner, Heslop played a structurally important role as a small defender in the second-best defence in the competition this season. She was focused on stopping opponents and setting up her teammates to rebound out of the back half.
When she did win the ball, she used it well, and still averaged 1.2 score involvements as a small defender.
Unsung hero
One of the best wingers in the league, Sophie Conway's incredible endurance and desire to work hard is crucial to Brisbane's ongoing success.
She works back to support the defensive line, while also getting forward to hit the scoreboard, and her positioning around the contest makes her side's midfield group better.
Conway kicked seven goals this season while averaging 13.2 disposals, 2.5 inside 50s, 3.2 intercepts and 2.6 score involvements.
