Lions wary of grand final rivals even if star skipper misses Dogs still have bite
LIONS skipper Emma Zielke has warned that the Western Bulldogs are just as dangerous without captain Katie Brennan, who was hit with a one- week ban ahead of the AFLW grand final.
Brennan was offered the onegame suspension yesterday for her sling tackle on Harriet Cordner in the Bulldogs’ tight win over Melbourne on Saturday.
The Bulldogs are expected to challenge the ban tonight, in a bid to clear Brennan for the grand final clash with Brisbane on Saturday.
But Zielke said whether or not Brennan is cleared to play, the Lions have to prepare for a dangerous Bulldogs outfit.
The Bulldogs captain missed a month of action this season with an ankle injury and Zielke said that gave her team the chance to learn how to play without her.
“It would be tough for anyone to lose their skipper for a grand final,” Zielke said.
“She’s a massive part of their forward line and team. She’s the heart and soul ... but I think they’ve shown they can win really good games of footy without her.
“They’ve had to come up with something new, a different plan ( without Brennan) and it makes them look really dangerous.
“They can win with or without her.”
The Lions managed to qualify for their second straight AFLW grand final on Sunday, after Collingwood upset reigning premiers Adelaide.
Townsville’s Breanna Koenen is part of the Lions’ grand final squad, and will be playing for her first AFL Women’s title.
While they had to rely on other results to get into the grand final, and are wary of the Bulldogs, Zielke also said Brisbane was a stronger side than the one that lost last year’s premiership.
“We’re in a better position than we were last year,” she said.
“( Coach Craig Starcevich) has recruited well and added to our team.
“That’s got us through the games this year.”
Teammate Kaitlyn Ashmore backed Zielke’s stance and said the team had improved across the park.
“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, which we kind of struggled with last year.
“We’ve just added all across the ground.”