Queensland teams both lose in AFLW warm-up games
It wasn’t an ideal dress rehearsal for either of the Queensland teams. The Lions have their work cut out for them against the reigning premier in Round 1, while the Suns failed to deliver in their first hit-out.
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Brisbane have work to do ahead of their AFLW season-opener against reigning premier Adelaide after going goalless in a practice match against GWS.
The Giants were in complete control at Sydney’s Tom Wills Oval, recording a 5.7 (37) to 0.3 (3) win over the Lions who will host the Crows in Round 1 at Brisbane’s Hickey Park on February 8.
GWS will host Gold Coast in Round 1 and warmed up for the premiership pipe-opener with ruck Jess Allan and midfielder Alyce Parker combining in the middle of the ground to set-up key forward Ingrid Nielsen who booted two goals for the home side.
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Brisbane was meant to have a scratch match against the Suns last weekend but the hitout was washed out after storms ravaged the Gold Coast.
The Suns had their first match against AFLW opposition when they took on fellow newcomers St Kilda at Fankhauser Reserve at Southport on Saturday.
The Saints kicked away from the Gold Coast in the second half to claim a 6.10 (46) to 3.6 (24) win.
Britt Perry kicked two goals for the Suns while former Lions captain Leah Kaslar added the other major for the Gold Coast in her new role as a forward while the home side was also well served by Kate Surman in the midfield.
Gold Coast senior coach David Lake said there were plenty of positives to come out of the match.
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“All day we saw glimpses from different players. I thought effort and intent was outstanding … if we can grow two quarters into three quarters then we can keep continuing to progress that to be as ready for Round 1 as we can,’’ he said.
“In the second two we were challenged a little bit and I felt like we still had the effort but everyone wanted to see if they could fix it alone rather than the collective.’’
Stand-in Suns captain Sam Virgo said the Gold Coast learned a valuable lesson.
“St Kilda went up a level definitely and we felt that. We probably didn’t respond quite as we’d like to with that pressure,’’ she said.
“We’ve got to really respond and rise to that and see if we can get the game back on our terms.”
Richmond claimed a 7.9 (51) to 3.5 (23) win over West Coast in a practice match.
Originally published as Queensland teams both lose in AFLW warm-up games
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