AFLW GF: Dakota Davidson cleared of serious knee injury, could still face Roos
The Lions cleared star forward Dakota Davidson of any serious knee injury, but her place in Sunday’s decider remains unclear as doctors struggle to determine the actual issue.
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The curious case of Dakota Davidson’s knee is set to become the major talking point of AFLW grand final week as the Brisbane forward battles to prove her fitness in time for Sunday’s decider.
The Lions on Monday revealed Davidson was still a chance to face North Melbourne after scans ruled out significant damage to her left knee.
It was welcome news given the 24-year-old was seen in tears on the bench late in the four-point preliminary final win over Geelong last weekend.
But Davidson is not completely out of the woods.
The radiologist was apparently left scratching their head over the MRI. Scans ruled out the usual gamut of ligament injuries, however the source of the pain in Davidson’s knee was seemingly unclear.
Lions officials say Davidson, who on Monday night was named to her first All-Australian side, is in good spirits around the club and to the eye looks unencumbered when going about her day to day.
However, the spearhead will have to prove she is fully fit at training this week in order to suit up on Sunday.
Brisbane will host an open training session on Thursday afternoon with the grand final squad due to be named that evening.
Davidson will almost certainly be included in that list, with the Lions expected to give their star forward every opportunity to prove her fitness.
Brisbane winger Sophie Conway said she expected Davidson to “do everything she can to get herself right” for the grand final.
“It’s only Tuesday, so we’ve still got a fair while to go,” said Conway, who also earned an AA blazer on Monday night.
“At the end of the day we’ve still got a lot of personnel within our group that if she doesn’t get up, there’s people that can come in and fill that void.
“She’s already been in her yesterday and today trying to make sure she’s ready to go.
“She’s phenomenal, not just on the field but what she brings to us off the field. We love having her out there.
“There’s a long way to go, but we’d obviously love to have her out there.”
Davidson has accounted for 25 per cent of Brisbane’s goals this season.
Conway, with 12 goals, is the only other Lion to reach double digits so far in 2023.
Shannon Campbell was thrown forward by coach Craig Starcevich after Davidson went down against the Cats and it was the veteran defender who kicked the go-ahead goal late in the match.
Whether Starcevich would feel comfortable deploying Campbell as a full-time forward if Davidson is unable to get up in time for Sunday’s clash is up in the air.
It would leave the Lions short a key member in defence against a North Melbourne forward line that produced one of the best contested marking displays of the season against Adelaide at the weekend.
“We’ve seen Shannon go forward – we saw her do it on the weekend,” Conway said.
“We’re very flexible and that’s a key part as to why we’ve done so well this year. Our group has been very open-minded to what the coaching staff has put in front of us.”
Small forward Courtney Hodder, who on Monday night won Mark of the Year for her screamer against the Suns, said Davidson would leave a big hole inside 50 if she is forced to miss the grand final.
“She’s a big part of who we are and for her to get her first All-Australia, I’m happy to be on her team,” Hodder said.
“My fingers and toes are crossed for her. She’s so great to have on the field.
“But if she’s not there we’ve got other players that can come in, with confidence that they will do great, too
Injury shock boosts Lions’ AFLW flag chances
Brisbane’s AFLW premiership hopes have received a boost with news Dakota Davidson is still a chance to play in Sunday’s grand final against North Melbourne.
Davidson’s left knee buckled in a tackle late in the third quarter of Saturday night’s four-point preliminary final win over Geelong and she did not return to the field.
Coach Craig Starcevich said post-match the forward was “in good spirits” but he was unsure whether she would be fit to feature in Sunday’s season decider.
Scans on Monday cleared Davidson of any serious injury, however she will have to prove her fitness at training this week before being given the green light to play.
If the 24-year-old is ruled out of the match it will be a major blow to Brisbane’s pursuit of a second AFLW premiership.
The spearhead has anchored the forward 50 after the Lions lost All-Australians Jesse Wardlaw and Greta Bodey in the off-season.
Davidson booted 21 goals in 11 games – including two crucial goals in the prelim.
She accounted for 25 per cent of Brisbane’s goals this season.
Only winger Sophie Conway (12 goals) has also reached double digit goals.
But it’s not all doom and gloom for the Lions, who have already proven they can best North Melbourne without their star forward.
Davidson was suspended when Brisbane pipped the Kangaroos by two points in Round 4.
Starcevich had spent much of the season preparing for such a scenario.
It paid off on Saturday night when he sent defender Shannon Campbell forward in the final quarter.
It was Campbell who kicked the go-ahead goal with five minutes and change to run as the Lions held on to reach their fifth AFLW grand final in eight seasons.
Brisbane’s forward stocks took a blow before the season with Zimmorlei Farquharson moved to the inactive list.
It left Analea McKee as the only key forward waiting in the wings.
McKee has kicked just two goals in six appearances this season. She has not played since the Round 9 loss to St Kilda.
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