AFLW grand final: Brisbane star Kate Lutkins’ fairytale comeback

It was a longshot just to play again and now a Brisbane Lions star is eyeing off a grand final win after a miraculous injury recovery.

A grand final win would cap Kate Lutkins’ comeback from injury. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

A year that started shockingly for Brisbane Lions star Kate Lutkins is set for a fairytale ending in Sunday‘s AFLW grand final.

Playing again in 2022, let alone in a competition decider, seemed a near impossible task for Lutkins after she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament in January.

The injury occurred early in the first of this year‘s two AFLW seasons.

Returning any time during that season wasn’t an option for Lutkins, and playing in 2022’s second campaign was an extreme long shot at best.

However, the 34-year defender defied the odds to return to the playing field in early October.

And all the stars seemed to have aligned for Lutkins, with Brisbane’s grand final against Melbourne to be her 50th AFLW match and played at the Lions’ new Brighton Homes Arena base at Springfield, a suburb of her home city Ipswich.

“I am really proud to end up in the final dance at the end of the season alongside the girls,” she said.

“That is pretty incredible. It is cool that it is my 50th.

“I am pretty excited to play here in Ipswich, which is my home town, with my family alongside me watching.”

What a remarkable recovery from Kate Lutkins. She will now play in her 4th @aflwomens GF after doing her ACL in January. She is getting back to the form she showed before the injury. She will be crucial for the @lionsaflw next week against taller opposition ( Dees or Roos).

— Glen Edwards (@royslions) November 18, 2022

Lutkins‘ excitement is mixed with feelings of relief and gratitude after some “dark days” during her injury rehabilitation.

“I was very fortunate with my recovery from the surgery that I had a really good crew around me,” she said.

“There are a few girls in the team that have had the same procedure, so I really leant on them, the team and the staff.

“The girls around me have been amazing, letting me play my role each and every week.”

And while such support was crucial in her comeback, Lutkins -– who was best on ground in Brisbane‘s 2021 grand final win – would never have jeopardised the Lions’ premiership hopes if she felt she wasn’t ready to play again.

“I am really competitive and really stubborn and do enjoy a challenge,” Lutkins said.

“Once the season did get moved forward I wanted to do my best to get back by this season.

“I am seven games in and right from the start I had the confidence in the knee.

“Otherwise I wouldn‘t have been out there and the staff wouldn’t have let me back out there.”

Kate Lutkins has every reason to smile ahead of the grand final. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images)

A Lions win on Sunday would not only be a fitting way for Lutkins to cap off her return from injury but also further reward for Brisbane mentor Craig Starcevich, who was this week named the AFL Coaches Association AFLW senior coach of the year for a second time.

“He’s a pretty genuine human, Craig,” Lutkins said.

“He’s really approachable, he’s really good for a chat, he’s really passionate and he really genuinely cares about the girls.

“He‘s really passionate about looking after them and making sure they’re happy and that they’re working for a purpose.

“He gives us that purpose, and he’s just incredible. He puts his heart and soul into this team.

“What you see is what you get with Craig.”