MEET FNQ’S AFLW FIVE

NORTH Cairns product Breanna Koenen is hopeful a knee injury suffered during the AFLW preseason will only be a minor setback as she looks to help the Brisbane Lions claim an elusive premiership.

The Lions will kick off their season against the GWS Giants on Sunday afternoon, but Koenen will be watching from the sidelines as she recovers from an MCL injury after her leg was caught awkwardly in a tackle during a practice match.

It was unfortunate timing for the 24-year-old defender who felt she’d had a strong preseason as she enters her third AFLW campaign with Brisbane.

“I was feeling fitter than ever, stronger than ever, so it’s definitely a challenge,” Koenen said.

“I got through all hard work in the preseason and then did my knee. I’m back running now so hopefully it won’t be too long before I can actually be eligible to play, but it’s just bad timing.

“It’s disappointing missing the first game … I watched the practice match from the sideline and that was hard enough so it’ll be interesting.

“It’s going to be tough to get back into the team because everyone’s looking so strong.”

The Lions have been one of the most consistent teams since the AFLW’s inception in 2017, making both grand finals, but they are yet to lift the trophy after two heartbreaking defeats.

However, Koenen insisted the Lions won’t be weighed down by those grand final losses with a new-look team this season as the AFLW brings in its first round of expansion.

The competition has added two new teams in Geelong and North Melbourne taking the total to 10, which have been divided across two conferences.

“It’s a totally different team this year. We’re at the bottom again this season so we can’t really dwell on the past couple of years,” Koenen said.

“I don’t think there’s a real feeling of pressure from the outside, but we have our own expectations within the four walls going into a comp like this and wanting to make the top few sides.

“It’s definitely a fresh start and everybody’s just focused on this year because it’s going to take a lot to get there again.”

Koenen has been a key member of Brisbane’s backline of defence, but she said she was keen to spend more time in the midfield this season when she recovers from her knee injury.

“The number one goal for me is to get through a few training sessions and keep doing my rehab and just try to keep my fitness up,” she said.