Sophie Conway had a few simple wishes for her 22nd birthday this week – to get a packed crowd into the Gabba on Saturday to watch the Lions advance through Collingwood and into a grand final.
And then to bring home the chocolates in the AFLW premiership decider.
Conway enters the finals in red-hot form having been named in her second All Australian squad alongside teammates Cathy Svarc, Kate Lutkins and Dakota Davidson on Wednesday night.
And she is looking forward to a return to the home of football in Queensland having starred in the Lions’ 15-point victory over the Kangaroos in round eight, the side’s first ever AFLW match at the ground.
She said while there was no doubt a parochial home crowd would provide a huge boost for the team; the players knew they had to bring maximum intensity and effort to advance through to the Club’s third grand final.
“Playing at the Gabba it was a surreal feeling, that was the first time for me to get on the ground against North and I loved it to be honest,’’ she said.
“To play a prelim final there this weekend is going to be unreal so, to everyone out there really, get to the Gabba.
“The Gabba is such a fortress, watching the men play against Richmond last year and to hear the crowd, it felt like there was one hundred thousand in there.
“So, to get as many people as we can to the ground would be awesome, but at the end of the day we will still by trying to do our job and that is to get the win.’’
It is a sentiment shared by Davidson.
The gun goal kicker thrives on performing in front of big crowds and is urging fans to get out in numbers to support the Lions.
She says while every cheering fan would provide inspiration for the players, a bumper crowd would also be a significant milestone for women’s sport, particularly Australian Football..
“It would be unreal, filling out the stadium,’’ she said.
“And it would be a huge step in the right direction for women’s’ footy.
“Getting a huge crowd for a preliminary final would be amazing for the start of women’s footy.’’
