Brisbane Lions playing down AFLW grand final talk after win against Adelaide
BRISBANE is struggling to avoid talk of an AFLW grand final berth but Kaitlyn Ashmore knows the Lions need to find another gear to win the premiership.
KAITLYN Ashmore says Saturday’s clash with Adelaide was a step up from any other game the Lions have played but every player knew they would have to find another gear to win the premiership.
Lions coach Craig Starcevich is fighting a gallant but losing battle to keep talk of a grand final berth at bay.
However, the Lions are now a game clear on top of the ladder and the new premiership favourite after their thrilling three-point victory over the Crows at Norwood Oval.
“He (Starcevich) likes to look week by week, he is not talking about the Grand Final yet,’’ Ashmore said.
“And we are not there yet, we have our foot in the door because we won the arm-wrestle against the Crows, but we still have to go week by week.’’
The match was the best standard of the new AFLW competition to date and, according to Ashmore, was also the toughest.
“It was so hard to play, you could tell there was extra pressure there,” she said.
“Both sides wanted it.
“And it was a lot faster than any other games, so it was definitely a step up from any game we’ve played before it.’’
The undefeated Lions could easily have been 0-3 after struggling to convert field advantage to scores early in the season.
But it all clicked in the Round 4 victory over GWS.
The Crows dominated field position on Saturday but it was the Lions’ ability to turn chances into goals that sealed the win.
Adelaide remain the team to beat and Ashmore said if the Lions were to meet them again, they knew exactly what to expect.
“They play exactly like we do, so it would come down to who wanted it the most,’’ she said.
The Lions host the Western Bulldogs at Brendale on Saturday while the Crows head to Darwin to take on Melbourne.
Brittany Gibson faces an anxious wait on her availability after being reported for rough conduct.
Originally published as Brisbane Lions playing down AFLW grand final talk after win against Adelaide
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