Inaugural Lions AFLW Head Coach Craig Starcevich will continue at the helm of the reigning AFLW Premiers, for his sixth straight season.

He is currently completing his 14-days of hotel quarantine after an off-season spent in Switzerland. 

After months of remote behind-the-scenes preparations for the 2022 AFLW season, Starcevich is looking forward to rejoining his Premiership squad in person.  

“I’m looking forward to seeing everyone face-to-face again and continuing the journey with our young and exciting group,” Starcevich said. 

“We’ve lost some experience with our retirees from last year but have added six new players and we’re very keen to see where they might fit.” 

It’ll be straight down to business upon arriving at the Gabba for Starcevich, who will be looking to ensure his young side continues to build off the back of their historic Premiership win. 

“Our aim every year is to win the competition, but importantly we’re more about getting continual improvement and refining aspects of our game style which will make us a difficult opponent.” 

“We had 11 players under 22 years of age in our Grand Final team so we’re hoping to see more growth from that group in particular.” 

Starcevich is one of the longest serving coaches in the AFLW, boasting an exceptional win-loss record of 24 wins, one draw and 15 losses in 40 games.

Having led the team to three Grand Final appearances and their first AFLW Premiership in 2021, Starcevich is the only AFLW Head Coach to have won both an AFL and an AFLW Premiership.

Starcevich will rejoin the team in Brisbane just in time for the start of the official AFLW pre-season at the end of September.