Lions staying grounded
Players brush off disappointment of AFLW grand final move away from Gabba
HIGH-FLYING Lion Tayla Harris has vowed her teammates would rise above the political stoush that has erupted over the Gabba to do Queensland proud in Saturday’s AFLW grand final.
Lions players were called together yesterday in the immediate aftermath of the controversial Gabba ban being handed down where they made a pact to assume the role of Queensland’s team for the coming week.
Senior players at the undefeated Lions said the group were quick to move past their disappointment at being denied the chance to play on the Gabba and switched their focus to ensuring the first ever AFLW premiership cup would reside in Queensland.
Harris said every player was focused on making sure the Lions were ready to fire in Saturday’s grand final at Metricon Stadium at Carrara.
“Of course we wanted to play the grand final at the Gabba because we have worked really hard to win the right to have it there,” she said.
“But you move on quickly – it won’t be a distraction. All we are focused on now is getting ourselves right on the field.
“It’s a piece of history and we are so excited to be a part of it and to be able to play in front of a Queensland crowd.
“We want as many fans as possible to get along to Metricon and support us Saturday.”
Harris’s forward line partner Sabrina Frederick-Traub also put on a brave face.
“I was a little bit disappointed but we are just happy it is in Queensland,’’ she said.
“We have been working hard to have a home grand final and we feel home is the Gabba. But home is also Queensland and we are just happy it is here.’’
Lions CEO Greg Swann struggled to contain his anger at Stadiums Queensland’s decision to deny use of the Gabba but said playing at Metricon Stadium was the second alternative.
“We’re rapt to be down at Metricon, we are staying in Queensland and our girls deserve to have the whole of Queensland supporting them,’’ he said.
“We are that proud of our girls, they have had a magnificent season, were undefeated and earnt the home final … but we are disappointed with what has happened.”