Brisbane Lions ramp up new home base campaign for AFLW home matches

BRISBANE Lions coach Craig Starcevich says the club’s current home ground for AFLW isn’t adequate — talks are continuing with the state government for a solution — as his side prepares to play its first home game of the season.

Brisbane AFLW coach Craig Starcevich says Queensland doesn’t have an adequate venue to showcase women’s matches. Picture: Annette Dew

THE Lions AFLW side has ramped up the call for a new club home base as they prepare for their first game in Brisbane this weekend.

After a successful season-opening match against the Crows in Adelaide last week, the Lions will host the Bulldogs at Brendale on Sunday where they also played their inaugural season.

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While the women are grateful to have a ground they can use, there have been a number of problems that have come from the venue.

The February heat and poor quality broadcast lights meant most games were scheduled outside of free-to-air viewing times last year and it is understood fans had trouble watching the games without a hill.

The ground was also deemed unsuitable for finals.

Brisbane AFLW coach Craig Starcevich says Queensland doesn’t have an adequate venue to showcase women’s matches. Picture: Annette Dew

Concerns have been raised in the past about the future of the Lions’ AFLW grounds, as the club continue to seek funding for a new facility at Springfield.

And Brisbane AFLW coach Craig Starcevich said while the other states have good suburban grounds that are able to cater for large crowds, southeast Queensland was falling behind.

“We don’t have an adequate venue to actually showcase those games,” Starcevich said.

“(A home base) is really important, not only for our team, but for women’s AFL in our state.

“In a couple years’ time, we’ll have two teams in this state going around so (it would) certainly drive the interest in our team but also probably drive numbers in women’s AFL and sport generally.

Emily Bates in action for the Lions at the club’s current home ground for AFLW matches, the South Pine Sports Complex. Picture: Liam Kidston.

“That little piece of the puzzle is critical for us.”

It is understood the talks are continuing with the State Government around funding, but the Lions are hoping to see a resolution soon.

Brisbane midfielder Emily Bates said they would love a place for both the men’s and women’s teams to call home.

“We’re grateful to be where we are now but it would be really great to have one place that we can call home as a team,” Bates said.

“Our fans can know where they can come see us and where we’re going to train. It would be a place to call ours.

“We’ll do whatever we have to do, play wherever we have to, but it would be amazing for us to have that facility. It would only improve us.”

Originally published as Brisbane Lions ramp up new home base campaign for AFLW home matches