The Brisbane Lions Women’s team went down to a strong GWS Giants outfit during Saturday’s practice match at WestConnex Centre in Sydney.
The Giants came out charging, slotting three goals in the first term and dominating to a 29-point lead by half-time.
A spirited fightback from the Lions saw goals from Wuestchner, Conway and McCarthy after half-time, closing the Giant’s lead to 12-points ahead of the fourth quarter.
Hot conditions with 32-degree heat had the Lions struggling to keep pace and competitiveness. The Giants held on to come away victors in the fourth term, 7.3 (45) to 4.2 (26).
Both teams agreed upon playing a final ‘fifth’ quarter for the practice game. An opportunity to put both teams through their paces during the final weeks of pre-season.
“The reason behind that was to give the girls another fifteen minutes of running their legs and taking to those conditions,” Assistant Coach Brent Staker said.
“Both teams did pretty well, but the Giants ran away with it in the fifth quarter.”
The fifth and final term saw the Giants run out winners by 50 points.
Staker was pleased with the efforts of the young new recruits out on the
“It’s a young exciting forward-line, we’re the youngest in the competition.”
“There’s still some work to be done, but it’s good for them to be able to put what we’ve been training into practice.”
“Two weeks until the Grand-Final rematch which is very exciting, but the next two weeks will be a great chance to brush up on the things we noticed today.”
The Lions will begin the 2018 AFLW Season on Saturday, February 3 at Norwood Oval against Adelaide Crows.
GOALS: Jessica Wuetschner, Sophie Conway, Kate McCarthy and Sabrina Frederick-Traub
