Local drafts eliminate homesick Lions syndrome
BRISBANE’S AFLW side have eliminated the “go home” factor that has dominated the AFL’s trade period by selecting all Queenslanders in yesterday’s draft.
The Lions selected eight new players to join the side that were the revelation of the inaugural AFLW season by going through undefeated until losing the grand final to the Adelaide Crows.
Yeronga’s Jordan Zanchetta was the Lions’ first selection at No. 7. Arianna Clarke ( 15), Renee Cowan ( 23), Kalinda Howarth ( 31), Emma Pittman ( 37), Ruby Blair ( 41), Sophie Conway ( 45) and Jessy Keeffe ( 48) were the other draftees. Lions’ coach Craig Starcevich said the WAFL draft had reignited the excitement that was around the club in their debut season.
“We have just added an incredible amount of talent to our club,’’ he said.
“We’ve been able to recruit really good people with strong character, which is just as important.”
Starcevich said being the club’s top pick was just reward for Zanchetta, who had endured a tough 12 months on the sidelines recovering from a knee reconstruction that ruled her out of the first AFLW season. “She had been in Queensland’s starting midfield for a number of years,’’ he said. “So we kept her close to the group through her rehab and were happy to see her return to close to her best form by QWAFL grand final day.
“We couldn’t be happier to have her back around players she has grown up with and shared so many memorable footy experiences.”