Lions’ Kaslar ready to do FNQ proud

defeat at the hands of the Adelaide Crows this time last year.

The Lions’ opponents today, the Western Bulldogs, also have a strong Far North connection with Tiarna Ernst, a former Manunda Hawk and Mossman junior, one of their key contributors in 2018.

Kaslar started her journey at Crathern Park, inspired by Bulldog Kat Pender, and is keen to see the Lions’ support spread throughout Queensland.

“My mum is still up in Cairns and will have some friends around and they will put up the balloons and be cheering,” Kaslar said.

“I played up in Cairns for Centrals Bulldogs so hopefully all those girls are cheering on too. That is where … my love of the game started.

“Kat Pender, a girl I played with, was phenomenal and I wanted to be just like her, and there was no doubt she would be in this league if it was her time.”

The Lions are outsiders for today’s grand final clash with the Bulldogs, priced at $2 by Ladbrokes.

Kaslar said today was just another opportunity to prove the doubters wrong.

“We’ve got a really professional group,” she said.

“I think that back-to-back grand finals should get us some respect. We like being the underdog anyway, it gives us the ability to surprise.”

Koenen, who is originally from Magnetic Island and played with the Tigers at Watsons Oval, is excited for a second crack at an AFLW flag.

“It is a totally new team despite having mostly the same players,” Koenen said. “We have worked to build the dynamic, working on new things.”

The Lions will take on the Western Bulldogs at 12.35pm AEDT today, at Ikon Park.