They kicked six unanswered objectives early within the third quarter however it did not make viewing any simpler for Brisbane AFLW coach Craig Starcevich.
“I was hopeless,” the Lions mentor stated of his nerves whereas watching his minor premiers try to achieve a fourth grand ultimate and win a second flag.
Two fast Adelaide objectives did not assist however Brisbane steadied, their insatiable workrate in defence shining by means of after some medical offence arrange a 23-point win on Friday at Metricon Stadium.
“The excitement around the group is enormous,” Starcevich stated.
“They’ve worked so hard to get to this point; it’s been a long year, played 25, 26 games (across two seasons) so its been a pretty big year of footy.
“It would have been actually disappointing tonight to not get this one out of the way in which and get to the subsequent one and provides your self an opportunity of getting a crack at profitable it.”
The 2021 premiers lost tight deciders in the first two AFLW seasons in 2017 and 2018, while they were pipped in the preliminary final by potential grand-final opponents Melbourne in the first season.
The Lions’ new Springfield headquarters will host the November 27 decider after the freshly laid Michael Voss Oval surface was ticked off by the AFL just hours before Friday’s preliminary final.
It’s a boost for a side that feared a lack of venue options in their home state would see them lose home ground advantage should they reach the decider.
“We can a minimum of now discuss it and give attention to that now moderately than be the distraction that it was,” the coach said of the venue conjecture.
“I do know what they have been like simply coaching on the market (on a close-by area) the final month-and-half, so to get the prospect to play there may be tremendous thrilling.”
And their familiarity with the big stage – the Demons have one grand final appearance and fellow preliminary finalists North Melbourne have none – should also help.
“Hopefully it counts for one thing that they have been there earlier than and know what the week seems like, greater than the precise day,” Starcevich stated.
“That’s the bit that is going to be extra useful (dealing with the build-up) however it’s nonetheless thrilling no matter method you chop it.”
