Tayla Harris has played a starring role in Melbourne's three-point win over the Brisbane Lions in Carrara.
Harris — coming up against one of her former clubs — kicked two crucial goals and claimed seven contested marks as the Demons rebounded from being down 22-0 late in the second quarter to win 5.5 (35) to 4.8 (32) over the reigning premiers.
Just like last year's meeting between these teams, Lion Greta Bodey had the chance to win the match with a free kick after the siren, but her kick fell short to end the Lions' five-match winning run.
As well as her two goals and seven contested marks, Harris ended the match with 13 disposals and seven score involvements.
The 24-year-old was ably supported by Karen Paxman, who claimed 23 disposals.
Making her first appearance for the Demons, ex-Geelong star Olivia Purcell (14 disposals) was also impressive on her return from the ACL injury that wrecked her 2021 campaign.
Coming off a 69-point demolition of Gold Coast last Thursday, the Lions made a perfect start when Orla O'Dwyer marked her 25th AFLW appearance with the opening goal.
Melbourne was held scoreless in the first term and lucky to only be down by nine points at quarter-time.
Goals to Sophie Conway and Bodey at the start of the second quarter gave the Lions the lead that their dominance deserved.
With a scoreless half looming, the Demons got some momentum heading into the main break with their first points when Bannan kicked her first goal with just over a minute to play in the second quarter.
That proved to be a match-turning point as the Demons went on a charge in the third term, kicking three goals to one to transform a 17-point deficit at half-time into just a one-point margin at the final turn.
The turnaround was sparked by ex-Lion Harris, who had four score involvements from the Demons' first five scores, including one of the three third-quarter goals.
The star forward's second of the match — after claiming her sixth contested mark in front of goal — put the Demons in front for the first time early in the fourth term.
It was a lead the visitors did not relinquish, with Bodey's shot after the siren falling agonisingly short to end a run of three matches in nine days on a low note for the Lions.
AAP/ABC
