Brisbane Lions AFLW coach Craig Starcevich hopeful of bringing international player to club as Katrina Scherer shines
BRISBANE Lions AFLW coach Craig Starcevich says the club is hopeful of bringing an international player to the club while studying the progress of American import Katrina Scherer.
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BRISBANE Lions AFLW coach Craig Starcevich says the club is hopeful of bringing an international player to the club while studying the progress of American import Katrina Scherer.
The Ohio product lit up the competition in just her third QWAFL game for Bond University last weekend, kicking three goals to guide the Bullsharks to a 23-point win over Coolangatta Tweed.
Scherer will feature in Bond University’s Round 15 game against Maroochydore at Subaru Oval today.
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Starcevich has watched Scherer’s past two games and said the 177cm forward had the makings of an athlete who could reach the AFLW.
“We think she has a really nice starting point in a lot of areas,” Starcevich said.
“She is tall, athletic, her kicking skills are pretty good. There are a few things that are a work in progress but all-in-all very pleasing.”
Scherer came to Starcevich’s attention earlier this year during a holiday in the U.S. where he met up with former Collingwood teammate and USA Freedom representative coach Danny Seow who recommended the Lions coach bring her to Australia.
Seow considered Scherer in the top six players in the US.
The 25-year-old funded her own trip to Australia and has since moulded her game with the Bullsharks while training with Starcevich in the Queensland under-18 team.
Starcevich said there was scope for Scherer to work her way into the Lions program while remaining open to a raft of international talent who could make a career in the AFLW.
“If we can make the QWAFL an attractive place for international players to come and try out then that is certainly the aim,” Starcevich said.
“Both the Lions and (Gold Coast) Suns can benefit from this.
“We are hopeful that down the track we can land a player from overseas. I’m not sure how quickly that is going to happen but it’s certainly something we haven’t ruled out.
“There is a capacity for AFLW clubs to have rookies on their list as well which is something every club is trying to explore.
“That is certainly something I haven’t ruled out. There are huge possibilities given that in the boys space Mason Cox is now a regular star most weekends.
“I think there is an even bigger opportunity for the women’s program to get among that.”
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