Kaitlyn Ashmore made a brave move signing with Brisbane Lions but it’s proved a smart choice

WHEN Lions star Kaitlyn Ashmore first signed with Brisbane her friends asked her whether she thought they’d win a game. Now the midfielder looks like a genius.

THE Brisbane Lions were going to be terrible. That was the strong word ahead of AFLW.

So when Ballarat’s Kaitlyn Ashmore was poached to head north as a Lions priority pick, even her friends were a bit worried.

“They were like ‘oh, do you think they’ll win a game?’,” Ashmore said on Thursday.

Sitting 4-0 ahead of Saturday night’s top of the table clash with Adelaide, the fleet-footed winger looks a genius.

But it has taken a while for we fools — especially down south — to be convinced of the Lions’ bone fides.

“After we won against Melbourne they blamed the weather and then when we won against Freo they (said) they didn’t have (star Dockers defender) Eb Antonio,” Ashmore said.

“It took a while but I think we’ve finally got them on our side. Hopefully we can have another win this week.”

Kaitlyn Ashmore celebrates a goal with teammate Kate McCarthy. Picture: Darren England

Ashmore, 25, took a chance on Brisbane and it’s opened up her world, and that of her family.

Her mum Debbie had never been on a plane before she flew to Brisbane to watch her daughter play and together with dad Greg, they’ve only missed the game against Fremantle.

“I had to take a leap of faith and either way I knew I was going to learn more about footy,” she said.

“I think (mum) wanted me to stay in a Melbourne side but after I said yes, she’s come around. She’s got every bit of Lions supporting gear you can get — she’s been to every one of my games except Freo.

“I got her on the plane. They’re very supportive. I think they just love that I’m playing footy and they love that I love it as well.”

Ashmore has been good all year but this week she became a viral video darling after a stunning first AFL Women’s goal.

Following her own clever kick along the ground from a flank, she chased deep into the pocket and then artfully soccered the ball from the boundary line, rolling it through the middle.

“It’s amazing, it feels good to kick a goal but then like an Eddie Betts goal, it’s even better,” she said.

Kaitlyn Ashmore celebrates with her family and friends after Brisbane’s first win over Melbourne. Picture: Ian Currie

The Lions also have marquee talls Tayla Harris and Sabrina Frederick-Traub flying but Ashmore said the team’s strength was its depth and the way the side had bonded.

“A lot of teams do have the top five players that will get 10 to 20 disposals and then after that it’s like nothing,” Ashmore.

“I think that’s why we’ve got a consistent team. We share the load and we play real team footy.

“I think we’ve got a pretty great team and I’m excited. I love that I chose the Brisbane Lions.”

Ashmore is a qualified schoolteacher but is working at a cafe in Brisbane, reluctant to commit to a school full-time as she plans to return to play for Melbourne Uni in the upcoming VFL Women’s season.

She said coach, Collingwood premiership player Craig Starcevic and assistants, former Lions Daniel Merrett and Brent Saker, had been crucial to the club’s success.

“Craig has been amazing especially because he has played himself and then he’s been around women’s footy for years,” she said.

“He always knows exactly what to say and how to speak to us to get us up and about.

“Brent Stake and Dan Merrett as well, I think we’ve got amazing coaches. They all bring something special and it’s just great to be a part of.”

Originally published as Kaitlyn Ashmore made a brave move signing with Brisbane Lions but it’s proved a smart choice