Lions bigger and better

LIONS skipper Emma Zielke and teammate Kaitlyn Ashmore insist the club is a much stronger outfit in 2018.

Ahead of Saturday’s AFLW decider against the Bulldogs, the pair is adamant that the pain of last year’s loss to Adelaide has only helped foster new hope for this campaign.

“We’re in a better position than we were last year,” Zielke said. “(Coach Craig Starcevich) has recruited well and added to our team. That’s got us through the games this year.”

Teammate Ashmore backed Zielke’s stance.

“We were really good with our defensive pressure last year but this year we’ve added to that and also have the speed,” she said. “We’ve added scoreboard pressure this year.”