THE NAB AFL Women's Grand Final between Western Bulldogs and Brisbane was old-school footy at its best.

Played at a traditional suburban ground (albeit with a grandstand or two), in the pouring rain, where long kicks and gaining territory were key. 

It hadn't properly rained in Melbourne for nearly two months. But for hours before the match the rain poured down, eventually easing just before the opening bounce. 

It threw pre-match plans into disarray – Missy Higgins' performance was cancelled due to fears the stage would damage the sodden ground, and the much-debated Ikon Park lights were suddenly needed. 

But the Brisbane Lions had spent weeks playing in the wet up north, and a Melbourne thunderstorm wasn't going to faze them. 

They dominated the first half for little scoreboard reward. Teenager Sophie Conway, who has been such a spark across half-forward for the Lions this season, kicked the first and only goal of the opening half, celebrating with her now-customary double fist pump.

Ponchos were almost a compulsory requirement for the hardy crowd huddled under whatever coverage they could find as the rain continued to teem down. 

Competing chants of "Bulldogs" and "Lions" were heard to the left and right, the two supporter bases separated by the broadcast booths. 

Brisbane Lions assistant coach Daniel Merrett couldn't be accused of not showing his true colours, pairing his red hair with a maroon poncho and cap. 

But as the clouds started to clear, the Bulldogs hit their straps. 

They may have been without captain and star forward Katie Brennan, but that wasn't going to hold them back. 

Recruit Deanna Berry, who has struggled to hold her spot this season, kicked a stunning goal from 50 metres, which was quickly followed by majors from Brennan's replacement, Kirsten McLeod, and Monique Conti. 

A Jess Wuetschner dribble goal early in the fourth kept the Lions alive, but with the crowd filtering down to the front rows as the rain cleared, a calm set-shot conversion from Emma Kearney settled things for the Dogs.

The mercurial Wuetschner wasn't done yet, with another goal leading to a tense final few minutes.

But the "Bulldogs" chant swelled in volume the longer the quarter progressed and erupted when Naomi Ferres took a match-saving mark in defence on the siren.

The Daughters of the West had triumphed, while the Lions had lost their second Grand Final by six points in two years.

In near-identical circumstances to last year, the Lions slumped on the ground while Dogs celebrated.

Sabrina Frederick-Traub, as she did last year, ran along the row of Auskick kids getting ready to present medals to her opposition, and high-fived every one of them.

No Bulldogs celebration could be complete without Brennan, so acting captain Ellie Blackburn called her up on stage.

"I can't lift this cup up alone, so KB, get up here," Blackburn said.

In scenes reminiscent of another Bulldogs captain who missed the Grand Final, Brennan raised her t-shirt to reveal her playing guernsey underneath.

Players took their time soaking up their lap of honour, although ruck Aasta O'Connor walked into the rooms, mouthguard still in and medal around her neck, turned to find her teammates still on the ground and wandered back out again, cool as a cucumber.

The players and support staff sang the song in the rooms before the players effectively kidnapped the cup and eskies full of beer and cider, retreating to their locker room and celebrating in private (although quite loudly, singing a variety of songs including "Walking on Sunshine").

Gun midfielder Kearney, who battled through a tough tag from Nat Exon to finish with 15 touches and a crucial last-quarter goal, was in disbelief.

"If I looked back five years ago, I always watched the male Grand Finals and thought, 'Geez, how great would that be to be up on the stage getting a medal,' and now it's a reality for us and an incredible feeling," she said.

"That was our first wet-weather footy we'd played, Brisbane have played a few games like that. So for us, we just overused it by hand a lot in that first half, then it was just simple messaging, just get the ball forward and get it moving."

Kearney's local cricket team (she also plays for the Melbourne Stars), Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies Cricket Club, were meant to have their Grand Final today but the match got washed out and moved to Sunday.

When asked if she would pull on the pads, she grinned.

"I don't think there's a chance [of playing]. I think my cricket team would be better off without me, we'll see how big the celebrations are tonight."

Coach Paul Groves was proud of his players.

"That's the overriding emotion, for the 30 girls who have really busted their guts," he said.

"We've probably got another seven or eight who played last year in our program, and things weren't great last year results-wise, but I'm proud of everyone who contributed in some way to lifting the cup up."

He was also keen to get a photo of daughter Ella, born on Tuesday, in the premiership cup.

As the crowd drifted away - Brisbane fans racing to continue their day of footy by watching the men's side at Etihad Stadium, and content Bulldog fans wandering off into the sun that was making an untimely appearance - a father and his two daughters remained.

The girls, around two and four, were decked out in too-big Bulldog guernseys and both wore a player badge.

The father took his daughters' hands and helped them up the well-worn steps.

"Come on, Bonnie Toogood. Come on, Katie Brennan," he urged them.

The girls grinned and clutched their badges. They could be footy players now.