To our valued players, staff, partners, members and supporters,
Our 2020 season has come to an end and sadly so has the entire competition. It’s unfortunate but there are bigger problems to face and we need to do our part and stay at home.
We think it’s important to take a moment and reflect on what we achieved this season.
It was no secret we have gone through some tough years of player turnover with the introduction of new clubs to the AFLW competition. The new players we drafted into our team this season were truly amazing – coming from all walks of life but shared one same attribute – their desire to work hard, improve, and be the best teammate they could. Their energy and attitude brought new life.
Orla O’Dwyer from Ireland was among 10 players who made their debut this year. New players like Orla and free agent Rheanne Lugg from the Crows blitzed our time trials and pushed their new teammates to work harder than they ever had before. We could not have been prouder of every single one of them who pulled on the Lions guernsey for the first time.
We ended our year with Lions’ Academy product, Tahlia Hickie, making her debut in an AFLW Semi Final – I don’t think it gets any better than that.
2020 saw our Foundation Eight and Lauren Arnell reach their 25th AFLW game milestone – it’s remarkable how far these nine players have come in four seasons with some playing their best footy yet.
As usual, no one gave us a chance this year and this group continued to prove the competition wrong. Their success was no accident, having put in the hard yards at training over the summer and turning themselves into a competitive and respected team.
The two home games at Hickey Park, which were accessible to spectators, were unforgettable and we thank our members and supporters on those days.
I’d like to take a moment to thanks Women’s CEO Bree Brock, our coaches, players and all of our hardworking staff who brought a strong work ethic each week, which was essential in our desire to keep improving. Our Captain Emma Zielke was a fantastic leader for our players in her third year in the job.
I’d also like to acknowledge the support we had in difficult times throughout this year. A lot happened away from the footy field with Jess being injured at work and my own little hiccup. But ultimately footy brought us back together and put a smile on our face.
And lastly a huge thank you to our Club partners – Icon, Bond University, Hyundai, Snap Fitness, Austraffic and Hastings Deering. You keep us going and you are family to us. We could not do what we do without your support.
Hopefully we can all get through this together over the coming months and be back together at the footy, the sport we love, which brings us together as a community.
Go Lions,
Craig
