Leading Lions into a new season of AFLW
Pies doco to show rare insight Cairns get first win for season
WHEN Leah Kaslar was handed the reins to take over as the Brisbane Lions’ AFLW captain, one of the first questions she asked herself was, “what am I going to do differently?”.
She did not mean what she was going to do differently to her predecessor, Emma Zielke, but within herself.
The hardworking defender, who is a product of AFL Cairns club Centrals Trinity Beach, was voted in as skipper by the playing group last month, a strategy used by both the men’s and women’s teams at the Brisbane club to decide their leadership group.
While Zielke is still in the team and very much an important part of what the Lions do, Kaslar will officially lead the side for the first time.
And when it came time to assess what she could bring to the table as captain – with another player also asking her what she would do differently in her new position – the Gold Coast-based talent decided she just had to keep it simple.
She was voted in for a reason and Kaslar, who attended Smithfield State High School until moving south as a 21year-old, knows the most important thing she can do as the leader is to be herself.
“I have thought to myself, ‘what am I going to do differently?’” she said.
“But I’m just going to continue doing what I’ve been doing for a few years.
“I always like to push at 100 per cent and try to drive and help people around me achieve their best. That’s something I want to continue.”
There is no doubt Kaslar will be compared with Zielke in some ways, especially given the success the former captain enjoyed in the first two years of the AFLW.
Under Zielke, Brisbane qualified for both grand finals and – even though they are yet to win a premiership – have stamped their authority as one of the teams to beat for 2019.
Already, 33-year-old Kaslar is being asked a lot about Zielke, and from the outside, it may seem like an awkward situation.
But it is far from the case within the Lions’ four walls.
Kaslar, Zielke and fellow senior players Sam Virgo and Kate Lutkins have long supported each other and relied on each other to bring different strengths to the leadership group.
Kaslar, an environmental scientist, wants to maintain that in 2019 and has no qualms about going to Zielke for help or advice.
“Being captain isn’t about doing everything yourself,” she said.
“It’s about doing your best and allowing people around you to do their best. I want a strong, inclusive group of leaders.” MACKAY Mavericks coach Jim Cobb is confident his side can still aim for a championship showdown despite a tough home loss to Cairns on Saturday.
Forced to switch their home game to Mackay Rangers’ ground from Wanderers, the Mavericks fought strongly in front of a solid home crowd before a late Falcons touchdown sealed their fate in a hardfought 16-8 loss.
The Mavericks’ passing game was a contrast to the Falcons’ running game, but ironically, it was a pass which sent the visitors over the line late in the game to seal victory.
Cairns’ win was their first for the season and moves them into equal second with the Mavericks on two points, two games behind Townsville at the top.
“We’re a running team; we’re a north Queensland football team and we don’t pass that often, but in saying that, it was the pass that gave us the win,” Falcons coach Jim Garcia said. “It was ad lib by the quarterback.”
Compounding the Mavericks’ loss was regular injuries, which forced the side to shuffle its offence and defence throughout the match.
Unsure of the severity of injuries, Cobb said a couple “looked serious”, which would have an impact on the team’s preparations for Townsville.
“But kudos to Cairns, they came out and played their game and took it to us and taught us how to keep it close, but we just couldn’t get there in the end,” he said. Monday March 4, 2019 • 12 – 2.30pm Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane
Single ticket: $165 • Tables of 10 available