THE Lions Women’s side announced themselves as contenders on Sunday winning their first home match at the Brighton Homes Arena with a demolition of the Sydney Swans by 55 points.
In an impressive step up from their first round loss to Richmond the Lions never looked like losing setting up the victory with their best opening quarter of the season.
Jack-in-the-box Charlotte Mullins started the romp with the opening goal after just four minutes and at quarter time it was the Lions by 25-0.
Lions Coach, Craig Starcevich, remained a hard marker of his team at fulltime declaring the squad is still a work in progress.
“There were little moments in the game where we need to improve our defence,” he said.
He credited a full off-season preparation for 18 year old Mullins as playing a role in her strong form in the opening games.
“Chuck can play, she has some nous, this time last year she was in Year 12. She has great skill, awareness and vision and those things are great assets in the forward half,” he said.
“We have to keep reminding ourselves that she is only young and still learning the game.”
The Lions have challenged themselves to make their home ground a fortress and Sunday’s victory under lights will give them great confidence to do just that.
The Lions were strong inside their forward 50, with Sophie Conway kicking three goals and Dakota Davidson, Orla O’Dwyer and Charlotte Mullins two apiece.
The Lions now face the Nth Melbourne Kangaroos at Launceston on Sunday in what will be a real test.
The Kangaroos lead the table with strong wins over Geelong, Carlton and St Kilda.
Coach Starcevich said his team was looking forward to going to Tasmania and taking on a fellow contender.
FINAL SCORE: Lions 14.3 (87) d Swans 4.8 (32)
