Lions ready to handle North’s superstar double act
Anna Harrington |
Brisbane’s midfield brigade are ready to turn the tables on North Melbourne’s superstar double act Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell and snatch the AFLW premiership.
Since winning the 2023 grand final, the Lions have lost their past three matches to North, including last year’s decider, by 29 points or more.
They have also struggled to contain Kangaroos skipper Garner and newly crowned AFLW best-and-fairest winner Riddell.
In last year’s decider, Garner was best on ground with 35 disposals and Riddell chipped in with 29.
In round five this year, Garner had 25 disposals and a goal, while Riddell racked up 34 disposals.
But star winger Sophie Conway feels the Lions midfield, led by Ally Anderson and Belle Dawes, is primed to take them on.
“Our continuity among our midfield group has really, really come out in the last little bit,” Conway told AAP ahead of Saturday’s decider at Ikon Park.
“I’m really excited to obviously go up against what is probably one of the best inside and outside mids in the comp.
“I’m really excited for the challenge. I know all our other mids are, and I can’t wait.
“They’ve got probably two of the best, arguably the best, inside middies in the comp.
“So it’ll be a bloody great challenge, that’s for sure, and one I know our girls will definitely be really excited for and want to rise to the occasion.”
Midfielder enforcer Cathy Svarc started her career as a tagger and knows the importance of limiting the damage from Garner and Riddell.
“They’re obviously amazing players and having another great season, the both of them,” Svarc told AAP.
“Through the midfield you just have to be accountable to them – there’s no doubt about that.
“In terms of any roles, we’re not sure about that, so it’s just being accountable and going head-to-head, to be honest.
“We know that they’re really good, and we also back the form our midfielders are in as well.
“You just have to show that respect and not get complacent with that, but also back your own system too.”
Conway urged the Lions to lift against a team that’s proved a thorn in their side.
“Our three previous encounters with them, we’ve probably dropped our colours a little bit, and we’re all well aware of that,” Conway said.
“There’s no denying – we’re pretty honest with ourselves – with where we have sat with them in the last little bit.
“It’s not necessarily all the last grand final encounter. It’s more the last couple of encounters with them we haven’t really played a Brisbane Lions brand of footy, which is probably the biggest thing.
“If we can get back to what we know we’re good at and bring our team game plan, I feel like we can stack up against anyone.”
AAP
