Lions shrug off key AFLW injuries to belt Bombers

Roger Vaughan | October 19, 2025

The Brisbane Lions have shrugged off injuries to stars Bre Koenen and Courtney Hodder, keeping Essendon goalless for three quarters and romping to a 38-point win.

In their first AFLW match at Windy Hill and only their second game against the Bombers, Brisbane won 7.12 (54) to 2.6 (18) to stay in the top four ahead of next week’s massive home game against second-placed Melbourne.

The Lions improved to 7-3 with their fifth-straight win, while Essendon are mired in 14th spot on a seven-game losing streak after winning their opening three games.

Brisbane looked vulnerable early, given their captain Koenen was forced out with a hamstring injury last week at training.

Then Hodder was a late withdrawal because of quad soreness, giving 18-year-old Claudia Wright her senior debut.

A goal to Grace Brooker late in the first term gave Essendon a three-point lead at quarter-time.

The Lions then went up a couple of gears and the Bombers could not go with them. Brisbane kept the ball in their forward half for an astonishing 95 per cent of the second quarter.

Taylor Smith kicked a goal early in the quarter to give the visitors the lead and Neasa Dooley snapped superbly on the run to put the Lions in control.

Only Brisbane’s inaccuracy in the blustery conditions kept the game tight, with the Lions spraying 3.9 to lead by 13 at the main break.

Daria Bannister was a warrior for Essendon, kicking their first goal and taking down Isabel Dawes with an outstanding tackle.

She also had to come off in the third term after bravely going with the flight of the ball and taking a hip to the head in a marking contest.

But the Bombers were no match as Ally Anderson ran riot, racking up a game-high 32 possessions and eight clearances and also kicking a goal in the last quarter.

Dawes laid 10 tackles herself and Dooley kicked two goals.

Essendon star Maddy Prespakis had 26 disposals, but Amy Gaylor was the Bombers’ best.

Gaylor’s efforts in defence were crucial, with the home side under siege after quarter-time.