Brisbane Lions get timely reminder AFLW finals won’t be a given in 2018

BRISBANE’S preparations for the AFLW season has been less than ideal with a practice match massacre last weekend, but it was a timely reminder that the heroics of last season will count for nothing in 2018.

Craig Starcevich’s Lions squad got a wake-up call by the Giants in a recent practice game. Picture: Annette Dew

THE Brisbane Lions’ AFLW practice match massacre last weekend was a brutal but timely reminder that the heroics of last season will count for nothing in 2018, coach Craig Starcevich says.

The second instalment of the AFLW begins on Friday when Carlton take on Collingwood in Melbourne, while Brisbane will meet Adelaide in a grand final rematch at Norwood Oval on Saturday night.

Brisbane’s preparation for Round 1 was less than ideal, with GWS hammering last year’s beaten grand finalists in a practice match in Sydney last Saturday.

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The Giants led 5.0 (30) to a solitary behind for Brisbane at halftime and finished with a 7.3 (45) to 4.2 (26) win at the end of the regulation four quarters.

The teams played a fifth period of 15 minutes when the Giants kicked five unanswered goals to be a commanding 50 points in front of the lacklustre Lions when time was called.

Starcevich said the performance was a real wake-up call for his side.

“We had this thought going all summer with our crew to not think that last year’s ladder positions are an indicator for this year,’’ he said.

“We can talk about it all we want but it’s different for them to actually go out and live it and realise if they don’t bring the right level of effort and desperation, they’ll get beaten.

Sabrina Frederick-Traub pushes the limits at Lions training at Brendale. Picture: Annette Dew

“We let ourselves down in a couple of quarters and we probably weren’t ready for an opposition that were hungry and keen to prove a point to their new coach.

“Having said all that, we did have a good patch there (in the third quarter) which showed our top level is still there.

“It gives us some confidence knowing that when we apply ourselves, we can play some good football. But that standard of football doesn’t come without hard work.’’

The unheralded Brisbane were the surprise packet of the AFLW’s inaugural competition, finishing on top of the ladder after the home-and-away rounds with six wins and a draw to earn hosting rights for the decider.

The embarrassing fiasco over the state of the Gabba’s cricket wicket after the Adele concerts in March forced the grand final to be played at the Gold Coast’s Metricon Stadium, where Erin Phillips starred for the triumphant Crows.

Lions coach Craig Starcevich calling the shots. Picture: Annette Dew

Despite losing just one game all season in 2017 Brisbane are flying under the radar again, with UBET putting the Lions on the second-last line of betting at $9 for the premiership, in front of only Fremantle ($13).

Adelaide ($4.25), Melbourne ($4.50), Carlton ($5.50), Bulldogs ($6), Collingwood ($6.50) and GWS ($7) are ahead of Brisbane in the market.

Starcevich said the bar would undoubtedly be raised across the competition.

“Whether it’s under-18 kids coming in, athletes from other sports or people coming back who were injured last year, every team has turned over their list by 10-12 and everyone has got better,’’ he said.

“From the outside, people might think we are vulnerable or they don’t rate us that highly, and that sentiment will probably re-emerge more after last weekend.

“As a team we know we have to fight to have the respect of the competition and we know that to be competitive on game day, we have to get into the grind.

“The ability to dig deep is probably our trademark and that’s what we intend to do.’’

Originally published as Brisbane Lions get timely reminder AFLW finals won’t be a given in 2018