Ashmore always going to stick solid with Lions

KAITLYN Ashmore was never going to turn her back on the Lions.

When the in- demand forward announced she had re- signed with Brisbane during the off- season, it was a major coup for the Queensland club.

Ashmore was one of the standout players of the inaugural AFLW season but hails from Victoria, prompting which prompted fears last year that she might not return to the Sunshine State.

And while she did enjoy a stint with Melbourne University in between AFLW seasons, Ashmore revealed she never really considered leaving Brisbane for the “Victorian bubble”.

Ahead of her return to the field today with the Lions, in their seasonopening grand final rematch against the Crows, Ashmore revealed why Brisbane is her future.

“There was no second guessing or anything like that,” she said.

“I knew straightaway that I wanted to join this club again and hopefully continue the success we had last year. I just love this club and I loved it from the start.

“If there was any doubt in my mind, it was obviously to do with being away from family.

“But I couldn’t even see myself in another jumper. I hope it stays that way.”

Ashmore said she can see a big future for the Lions in the AFLW, especially given how successful their first season was.

Brisbane shocked the rest of the competition last year when they raced to the top of the table without losing a single game.

That was until their heartbreaking grand final against Adelaide, where they fell short by just six points.

Ashmore said most of the players had put their 2017 frustrations behind them but would also not