Emma Zielke has warned that the Western Bulldogs are just as dangerous without Katie Brennan

LIONS skipper Emma Zielke has warned that the Western Bulldogs are just as dangerous without captain Katie Brennan, who was hit with a one-week ban ahead of the AFLW grand final.

Britt Gibson, Kaitlyn Ashmore, Emma Zielke and Emily Bates are ready for the AFLW grand final. Picture: Adam Head

LIONS skipper Emma Zielke has warned that the Western Bulldogs are just as dangerous without captain Katie Brennan, who was hit with a one-week ban ahead of the AFLW grand final.

Brennan was offered the one-game suspension on Monday for her sling tackle on Harriet Cordner in the Bulldogs’ tight win over Melbourne on Saturday.

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The Bulldogs are expected to challenge the ban on Tuesday, in a bid to clear Brennan for their all-important grand final on Saturday.

But Zielke said whether or not Brennan was cleared to play, the Lions had to prepare for a dangerous Bulldogs outfit.

The Bulldogs captain missed a month of action this season with an ankle injury and Zielke said that gave her team the chance to learn how to play without her.

Katie Brennan will likely appeal her AFLW ban. Picture: Getty Images

“It would be tough for anyone to lose their skipper for a grand final,” Zielke said.

“She’s a massive part of their forward line and team. She’s the heart and soul ... but I think they’ve shown they can win really good games of footy without her.

“They’ve had to come up with something new, a different plan (without Brennan) and it makes them look really dangerous. They can win with or without her.”

The Lions managed to qualify for their second straight AFLW grand final on Sunday, after Collingwood upset reigning premiers Adelaide.

While they had to rely on other results to get into the grand final, and are wary of the Bulldogs, Zielke also said Brisbane was a stronger side than the one that lost last year’s premiership.

“We’re in a better position than we were last year,” she said.

“(Coach Craig Starcevich) has recruited well and added to our team. That’s got us through the games this year.”

Teammate Kaitlyn Ashmore backed Zielke’s stance and said the team had improved across the park.

“We were really good with our defensive pressure last year but this year we’ve added to that and also have the speed,” she said.

“We’ve added scoreboard pressure this year, which we kind of struggled with last year.

“We’ve just added all across the ground.”

Originally published as Emma Zielke has warned that the Western Bulldogs are just as dangerous without Katie Brennan