A NEW season and the opportunity to play and train at the best purpose-built AFL stadium in the country has the Brisbane Lions Women’s team primed as they await the starter’s gun for 2023.
On Sunday they launched their season and welcomed six of their seven new players for the year to Brookwater.
While they have lost four key players to other squads coach Craig Starcevich remained upbeat about the most successful team to play in the AFLW over the past seven years.
“If there’s any hint that people might be thinking we’re going to dip, there’s a resolve to prove people wrong, which is where a lot of our group are at their best,” he said.
“Players like Belle Dawes and Nat Grider were young kids when we went through rebuilding four years ago and they are not six-game players anymore, they’re now nearly 50-game players.
“Our new squad members will be guided and inspired by our leadership group,” he said.
The Lions first round match will be played at 3.05pm on Sunday, September 3 at Brookwater and according to captain, Bre Koenen it’s a perfect way to kick off.
“The clash against the Tigers is one I’m looking forward to, it’s always a hotly contested affair,” she said.
“I’m excited to get as many people as we can to watch us play as we seek to make Brighton Homes Arena a fortress for us this year and a hard place for other teams to come to.”
The highlight of the weekend season launch was the presentation of jerseys to new squad members Ellie Hampson, Jennifer Dunne, Poppy Boltz, Jade Pregelj, Courtney Murphy and Analea McKee.
Missing was Analaea McKee and Irish player, Jennifer Dunne, who will fly in to Brisbane on Friday.
On the weekend she was playing for the victorious Dublin side in the All-Ireland Senior Women’s Gaelic Football Championship final.
The Lions played a trial match against the Crows on Saturday with the score going Adelaide’s way.
This Saturday they will play their final pre-season game lining up against the Gold Coast at Brighton Homes Arena.
The match will start at 10.30am and entry is free for all spectators.
