Lions celebrate AFLW milestones in big win

Brisbane have produced a strong response to a difficult week after keeping themselves in the hunt for a coveted AFLW top-two position with a 36-point thrashing of North Melbourne.

Severe flooding in southeast Queensland meant some Lions players had to fight to save houses in the days before their home game was moved from Maroochydore to Melbourne's Whitten Oval.

The venue switch cost them an advantage but didn't matter as the reigning premiers rode a wave of emotion to post a convincing 7.8 (50) to 2.2 (14) victory on Sunday.

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Brisbane pair Emily Bates and Ally Anderson became the first AFLW players to reach 50 career games and were key contributors in their side's win.

Sophie Conway, Greta Bodey and intercept defender Natalie Grider were also prominent, with Conway's two first-half goals critical in the Lions' ability to break the game open.

The result means Brisbane can still snatch a top-two spot on the ladder and earn direct passage to the second week of the finals with a win over the Western Bulldogs next Sunday.

But they must also rely on either Adelaide or Melbourne slipping up in the final home-and-away round.

On a dirty day for North Melbourne, Lexi Hamilton was reported for rough conduct when she flattened Conway during the second quarter.

Hamilton was one of several changes to the side after the previous round's defeat to Melbourne, recalled in place of injured ruck Emma King.

The Kangaroos' depleted tall stocks took another hit when Kim Rennie copped a blow to the ribs during the third quarter, but she returned to action later in the term.

North Melbourne ball magnet Jasmine Garner got away from minder Cathy Svarc to boot the opening goal of the day but