Gold Coast Suns given lesson on what to expect when they enter the AFLW in 2020

THE AFL’s women’s Winter Series was designed to give the likes of the Gold Coast Suns an insight into what to expect when they enter the AFLW in 2020. Now they know.

Paige Parker of the Suns kicks during the AFLW Winter Series match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium on July 14, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. Picture: Chris Hyde, Getty Images.

THE AFL’s women’s Winter Series was designed to give the likes of the Gold Coast Suns an insight into what to expect when they enter the AFLW in 2020. Now they know.

Gold Coast were given a lesson by the Brisbane Lions who rolled the Suns 13.6 (84) to 1.5 (11) in the third and final game of the Winter Series at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

Brisbane have been in the past two AFLW grand finals and fielded 19 players with experience in the top competition against the Gold Coast who had just four.

The 73-point loss did nothing to dampen the spirit of Suns midfielder Paige Parker who said the experience would only help the club reach an elite level in the lead up to 2020.

“It was awesome,” Parker said.

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“We knew it was going to be a challenge coming into the game. We’re developing and I think we went pretty well, especially in the first half.

“Hopefully we can keep developing over the next couple of years because the end goal is 2020 and to be up to their standard then.”

Gold Coast scored nine of their 11 points in a promising opening term but didn’t hit the scoreboard again until the fourth quarter.

Paige Parker of the Suns kicks during the AFLW Winter Series match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium on July 14, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. Picture: Chris Hyde, Getty Images.

Parker, 23, said she had gained valuable experience over the course of the series.

“We have learnt a lot in regard to the elite atmosphere and getting in and doing our training,” Parker said.

“It’s been a really good learning experience for us.”

Parker is two years into her football journey after making the switch from touch football in 2016.

The Brisbane resident plays for Coorparoo in the QWAFL and has been making the trip down to the Gold Coast throughout the series in order to play and train.

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