Kaslar has lots of pride in Lions
2018 AFLW DRAW
Carlton v Collingwood
Melbourne v GWS Giants Adelaide Crows v Brisbane Lions
Western Bulldogs v Fremantle Ikon Park
Casey Fields Norwood Oval
VU Whitten Oval NEWLY appointed Brisbane AFLW vice-captain Leah Kaslar says the Lions are done trying to prove themselves.
Instead they will continue to embrace their underdog status as they plot their path back to the AFLW grand final for a second straight season.
Brisbane finished the inaugural AFLW regular season undefeated before falling to Adelaide Crows in the grand final at Metricon Stadium but no rival captains in a poll this week predicted them to mirror the success in 2018.
That’s fine by Gold Coastbased Kaslar, 32, who said it only played into their hands.
“Last year we were underestimated and week after week we tried to prove ourselves and build our reputation but it looks like that still hasn’t happened,” Kaslar said.
“We like the challenge and we are a hardworking team and don’t mind the other teams thinking we are not up for it.
“That voting is done by the captains and four of those are Victorians so it’s interesting to see what they think but we take it with a grain of salt and focus on what we can control.”
The co-creator of the Coolangatta Bluebirds was pivotal to Brisbane’s success last year and will be looked to again when the Lions play in a grand final rematch against Adelaide at Norwood Oval in Australia on Saturday.
“We have a fierce rivalry with them,” she said. “You can expect a hard-hitting courageous style of game when we both fight it out again.”
The key defender was one of the biggest reasons why Brisbane conceded the fewest points (148) last season.
Kaslar, one of the inaugural members of the Lions leadership group, has been a role model and mentor to budding female Australian rules players on the Gold Coast.
Speaking of her recent appointment as vice-captain, Kaslar said she felt lucky to have been chosen to help lead the group.
Kaslar expected the whole competition to have improved since last year and said it was no different for the Lions who had added more depth to the side.
“We have got some really talented young players who have joined and a number of experienced players as well,” she said.
“We will definitely be stronger than last year and training-wise our GPS data has well exceeded where we were at last year.
“We have done the groundwork and we have a good group of girls and hoping we have a strong season ahead.” South