AFLW: Lions coach Craig Starcevich pleased with gradual expansion

Lions coach Craig Starcevich says his side is settled for the AFLW season after the decision to halt expansion for a year. Plus, what he likes about the overall competition approach.

Brisbane Lions AFLW captain Emma Zielke (left) and Gold Coast Suns co-captains Sam Virgo and Hannah Dunn (right) are ready for the new season. Picture: Jono Searle/Getty Images

Brisbane Lions AFLW coach Craig Starcevich has praised the competition’s gradual approach to expansion and length despite its ongoing unevenness.

The new season, which starts on Thursday, will again involve 14 teams who will each play nine matches ahead of a three-week final series.

It’s the first time since 2018 that the competition has not expanded in its number of clubs.

However, teams will play one extra regular season match than the eight that had been planned for last season before COVID-19 ensured a shortened campaign, an aborted final series and no premiership-winning side.

A premier has been guaranteed this season, with Starcevich pleased with the measured approach to more clubs and more games.

Brisbane Lions AFLW captain Emma Zielke and coach Craig Starcevich are ready for the new season. Picture: Jono Searle/Getty Images

“The league’s been tremendous in terms of their growth strategy year on year in terms of the length of the competition,” Starcevich said.

“Last year was meant to be eight weeks and three (weeks) of finals which didn’t eventuate, but this year nine and three, next year 10 and three hopefully, so we’re getting to the point where we’ve got a nice, long season.

“We don’t play everyone once, but who knows? That might be a year or two down the track as well.

“I’m sure the four other (AFL) clubs are still banging the door down to get their (AFLW) licence as well.

“That’ll be another challenge for the league going forward but were we’re at now — 14 teams in the competition after five years — is a damn good result, and we’re happy with nine home and away games and the three (weeks of) finals.

“We’re the biggest contracted female sport in Australia now, which is something that we can look on with pride.

“That’s happened in a really short space of time. In terms of the strength of AFL and the AFL women’s (competition), it’s been a fantastic journey.

“If feels like yesterday we were starting. Here we are five years down the track and are ready for a really exciting season coming up.”

Starcevich said the decision not to expand the AFLW this season had helped the Lions’ stabilise.

“It’s the first year in three that we haven’t had expansion, and our list is settled and we’ve got some consistency from one year to the next which we haven’t had for a number of years,” he said.

“We’ve got a really good bunch of 20-to-25 year olds who are all just starting to blossom as athletes and footballers, so that part of it’s encouraging as well.

“We’re in a good spot heading into the season ... the whole thing’s settled again now, which is fantastic.”

The Lions open their season on Sunday against Richmond at Punt Road, while the Gold Coast Suns women’s team host Melbourne at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.