Dees send ominous warning after handing wounded Lions record-breaking loss

NARRM has sent an ominous warning sign to the rest of the competition after a 56-point drubbing of Brisbane at Casey Fields on Sunday.

The Lions had no answers for the Dees, falling to their biggest loss in AFLW history, 14.5 (89) to 4.9 (33)

While Narrm was absolutely dominant throughout the contest, the Lions were heavily depleted by a raft of injuries to key personnel, leaving just two fit players on the bench for the majority of the game.

Young gun Marlo Graham was the victim of some friendly fire in the opening term and took no further part due to concussion, while the speedy Ruby Svarc was also removed from the game in the first half due to a head knock.

Irish forward Neasa Dooley was another Lion unsighted in the second half after a big collision on the wing left her with an injured shoulder, while star midfielder Belle Dawes appeared hampered by an arm issue but played out the game bravely.

The Lions controlled the game in the first 10 minutes, but the Dees were able to absorb the heat to kick three goals against the flow of play late in the first, before Brisbane's injuries struck opening an avalanche of Demon destruction.

Narrm midfielder Liv Purcell was a force to be reckoned with in just her third game back from an ACL injury, dominating around the contest with a game-high 31 disposals and nine score involvements.

The star Dee has already polled the maximum 20 coaches' votes across the first fortnight of the season and could well have made it three best on ground performances in three matches after a spectacular showing at Casey Fields.

Midfield maestro Tyla Hanks (24 disposals, eight tackles, one goal) found plenty of the footy throughout the afternoon and Shelley Heath-Barker was lively as well with 16 touches and a goal.

Captain Kate Hore is leading her side superbly in 2026, having amassed 24 touches, while tall Georgia Campbell (18 disposals) carried the bulk of the ruckload as Lauren Pearce was eased back in after injury.

For the Lions, Dawes fought on bravely from her own injury issues with 24 disposals and a goal, while Irish winger Orla O'Dwyer (21 disposals, one goal) was also busy.

Jade Ellenger (19 disposals) continues to fly under the radar as a much-improved Lion, while Charlotte Mullins (19 disposals) is another who has taken her game to another level this year.

Demons defence dominates

Narrm's defence is looking rock solid and there's been a range of different contributors back there across the first three weeks of the season. Tahlia Gillard and Sarah Lampard ruled the airways against the Lions, completely shutting Brisbane's key forwards out of the game in what was a dominant display. Gillard amassed 18 touches and 10 marks, while Lampard had 17 disposals and six marks. Then there's All-Australian Maeve Chaplin, who slotted in seamlessly on her return from injury. Draftee Jordyn Allen is so composed and calm with ball in hand and would be a leading contender in the 2026 AFLW Telstra Rising Star race as it stands, while veteran Sinead Goldrick provides plenty of speed out of defence too. They're flying under Tom Wilson.

Unsung Dees star

When you think of the Dees, you think of star captain Kate Hore, or gun key forward Tayla Harris. Trade recruit Mia Austin has rightfully received plenty of praise this year for her impact in the front half, as has midfielder Liv Purcell around the contest. But don't sleep on young forward Ryleigh Wotherspoon. Wotherspoon, who comes from an elite sporting background in softball, cricket and soccer, is having a breakout season with the Sherrin. After kicking three goals last week against the Giants, Wotherspoon was lively in attack once more, booting three goals from 16 disposals in round three. She's dangerous around the goals, provides plenty of pressure and adds another dimension to Narrm's attack.

Up next

The Dees will look to make it 4-0 when they travel to Mineral Resources Park to take on the Eagles at 3:05pm AWST on Sunday, while Brisbane hosts the Greater Western Sydney at Brighton Homes Arena at 6:35pm AEST on Saturday as they look to return to the winners list.

MELBOURNE 3.1 5.2 11.2 14.5 (89)

BRISBANE 1.3 1.4 1.8 4.9 (33)

GOALS

Melbourne: Wotherspoon 3, Gall 2, Austin 2, Fitzsimon 2, Heath-Barker, Paxman, McNamara, Harris, Hanks

Brisbane: Hartill, Dawes, Davidson, O'Dwyer

BEST

Melbourne: Purcell, Hore, Hanks, Gillard, Wotherspoon, Heath-Barker, Lampard

Brisbane: Ellenger, Dawes, Mullins, O'Dwyer, Conway

INJURIES

Melbourne: Nil

Brisbane: Graham (concussion), R.Svarc (concussion), Dooley (shoulder)

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