Coach’s fears on hasty changes
BRISBANE Lions coach Craig Starcevich says the game’s governing body may have been too reactionary in their bid to restrict player numbers around stoppages in the AFLW.
Brisbane kicked off their 2018 season on a high note on Saturday, with a come-frombehind victory over the Crows in Adelaide.
While Starcevich said he understood the game had a responsibility to ensure the brand was “watchable”, he questioned whether the move had come too early given they were only one match into the season.
“You can very much see the point of the league,” he said. “However, if there’s one round of the year where things are going to be a little bit rusty, it’s Round 1.
“Perhaps we’re reacting a little bit earlier than we should.
“We should let things settle for a round or two before we categorise all games as being similar.
“I know with our club, we’ve recruited a certain style of player to play a certain style of game and to make it watchable. That’s been first and foremost on our minds.
“But it doesn’t mean you don’t defend. The feedback I get is that our supporters, they’re really entertained. Patience is probably the word we need to use here.”
Starcevich said while his club would consider the AFL’s advice, people should remember that poor games happened in all codes.
One of his players, forward Jessica Wuetschner, took a much harder stance on Twitter however, calling the memo “ridiculous”.
“This is my view only, but are they bloody serious?” the 25-year-old wrote.
“We are out here to win, whatever it takes.
“If you ask me I saw some pretty exciting stuff on the weekend and I think this is ridiculous.”