What Is 2020 AFL Women's Grand Final

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2020 AFL Women's Grand Final was held on November 21, 2020, at Adelaide Oval, where the Brisbane Lions defeated the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos 42–14 to claim their second premiership. The match was delayed from its original March date due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Facts

The 2020 AFL Women's Grand Final took place on November 21, 2020.
Brisbane Lions won the premiership with a 42–14 victory over North Melbourne.
The match was held at Adelaide Oval in South Australia.
It was delayed from March to November due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brisbane secured their second AFLW premiership in three seasons.

Overview

The 2020 AFL Women's Grand Final marked the culmination of the fourth season of the AFL Women's (AFLW) competition, delayed and restructured due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Originally scheduled for March, the grand final was rescheduled to November 21, 2020, and hosted at Adelaide Oval in South Australia.

This historic match saw the Brisbane Lions face off against the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos in a dominant display of skill and endurance. The Lions claimed their second premiership in three seasons, cementing their status as a powerhouse in women's Australian rules football.

Brisbane Lions defeated North Melbourne 42–14, securing their second AFLW premiership under coach Craig Starcevich.
The match was played at Adelaide Oval on November 21, 2020, a neutral venue due to pandemic-related relocations.
Due to COVID-19 disruptions, the season was shortened and compressed, with all finals played in South Australia.
Emily Bates of Brisbane was awarded the Lisa Hardeman Medal as best on ground, recording 22 disposals and relentless pressure.
The attendance was limited to 3,500 spectators due to public health restrictions, a fraction of normal capacity.

How It Works

The AFL Women's Grand Final operates as the championship-deciding game of the AFLW season, following a modified finals series format introduced for pandemic safety.

Finals Format: The 2020 finals used a four-team knockout structure, with qualifying and preliminary finals preceding the grand final. This differed from previous seasons’ conferences.
Team Qualification: The top eight teams from the home-and-away season advanced, but due to the shortened season, only four progressed to finals based on revised standings.
Game Duration: Matches consist of four quarters of 15 minutes, totaling 60 minutes of play, with time-on rules applied as in the men’s AFL.
Player Eligibility: All players must be signed to AFLW lists, with each team fielding 16 players per match, including interchange rotations.
Medal Award: The Lisa Hardeman Medal is awarded to the best player in the grand final, voted by a panel of media and officials.
Travel & Bubbles: During 2020, teams operated in bio-secure bubbles in South Australia to minimize infection risks during the finals series.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2020 AFLW Grand Final compares to previous championship matches:

h>Runner-Up

Year	Winner	Score	Venue
2017	Adelaide Crows	Brisbane Lions	35–26	Metricon Stadium, QLD
2018	Western Bulldogs	Brisbane Lions	46–38	Docklands Stadium, VIC
2019	Adelaide Crows	Carlton	32–26	Adelaide Oval, SA
2020	Brisbane Lions	North Melbourne	42–14	Adelaide Oval, SA
2021	Queensland Stingrays	Adelaide Crows	50–42	York Park, TAS

The 2020 final stands out for its pandemic-related disruptions, including the delayed season and centralized finals in South Australia. Brisbane’s 28-point margin was the largest in AFLW grand final history at the time, showcasing their dominance under pressure.

Why It Matters

The 2020 AFL Women's Grand Final was a landmark event for women's sports in Australia, demonstrating resilience and growth amid unprecedented challenges.

Historic Resilience: Completing the season during a global pandemic proved the AFLW’s organizational strength and adaptability.
Increased Visibility: Broadcast coverage on Channel 7 and streaming platforms expanded the audience reach despite limited live attendance.
Player Recognition: Performances like Emily Bates’ elevated individual profiles and inspired young athletes nationwide.
Equal Pay Progress: The 2020 season saw improved player payments, with AFLW athletes earning up to $24,000 per season.
Expansion Catalyst: Success of the season accelerated the AFL’s plan to expand to 18 teams by 2022.
Legacy Impact: Brisbane’s back-to-back premierships (2018, 2020) established a benchmark for sustained excellence in women’s football.

The 2020 AFL Women's Grand Final was more than a championship game—it symbolized the perseverance and rising prominence of women’s professional sports in Australia.