Brisbane have been given an early taste of what to expect in the AFLW finals before showing their class in a 32-point win over the Western Bulldogs.
As coach Craig Starcevich celebrated his 50th game in charge, the Lions shook off a stern first-half challenge to post a 10.6 (66) to 5.4 (34) victory in Ballarat on Sunday.
Star midfielder Emily Bates had 18 disposals and 11 tackles with Alexandra Anderson (15 and five) also influential in the result.
Orla O'Dwyer and Greta Bodey kicked two goals apiece for the winners.
The Lions will next host Collingwood or possibly Fremantle - if the Dockers lose to Gold Coast on Sunday - in a qualifying final.
And they will enter the finals in strong form as they seek to become the first team to win back-to-back premierships in the women's competition.
While there was little riding on Sunday's contest in terms of the ladder - the Bulldogs were knocked out of finals contention 24 hours earlier - it was played at a high intensity.
Brisbane kicked five goals to four in a hot first half and led by just six points at the main break.
The floodgates opened for a period of the third term as the Lions piled on three quick majors to break the game open.
The Bulldogs lost Kirsty Lamb to a shoulder injury for most of the third quarter but she returned to play out the match.
Dogs captain Ellie Blackburn (25 disposals) was busy as always and Richelle Cranston kicked two goals.
