AFLW 2023: Brisbane Lions out to make Brighton Homes Arena a fortress this season

Brisbane star Dakota Davidson has declared the Lions’ plan to make their new home ground a nightmare venue for visiting teams as they plan to go one better than last season’s grand final defeat.

Dakota Davidson marks. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Brisbane AFLW forward Dakota Davidson says the Lions plan to emulate the feats of their male counterparts and make Brighton Homes Arena a fearsome fortress for visiting rivals.

After years of splitting games across Brisbane and southeast Queensland the Lions finally have a permanent home ground to call their own and will open Season 8 of the AFLW at Springfield on Sunday against Richmond.

Brighton Homes Arena hosted last season’s grand final between Brisbane and Melbourne and it wasn’t so much a happy hunting ground for the Lions, who went down by four points.

But after a long pre-season Craig Starcevich’s side has hit its stride on the vast — and fast — expanses of the Springfield surface.

Brighton Homes Arena from above. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“We like to think of it as the Gabba for the boys — they have created a fortress and we can do the same here,” Davidson said.

“We’ve never had a home. The girls love being here. Hopefully we can pack it out every weekend.

“Everyone is so excited to start playing footy here and hopefully create a fortress that is Brighton Homes Arena.

“I’m here at 10am and I won’t leave here until 9pm tonight … it’s literally my second home, I sleep upstairs. I love it.”

Dakota Davidson enjoys a goal. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images.

Davidson will be one Lion with a magnifying glass on her performance this weekend given the Lions’ new-look forward line in the wake of Jesse Wardlaw and Greta Bodey’s off-season departures.

But the fifth-year Lion, who bagged nine goals in seven games last season, says she and the team is “ready for the next step up”.

“It was obviously sad to lose Jesse – she was a key part of the team and I wish her all the best at St Kilda, but I’m quietly confident in my ability. My role doesn’t change,” Davidson said.

“I like the new dynamic of the forward line. People need to understand that it is going to be new … (but) I’m actually thrilled to be able to start playing again.

“Sunday afternoon, 3pm. Get down, tickets are available, we’d love to see everyone down here and pack it out like the grand final last year.”

Originally published as AFLW 2023: Brisbane Lions out to make Brighton Homes Arena a fortress this season