Lions not chilled about Tayla slur
BRISBANE’S AFLW stars have hit back at ex-teammate Tayla Harris’ suggestion the Lions have a “chilled” demeanour, saying no one should question their professionalism ahead of the new season.
Last year’s beaten grand finalists defied expectations in the competition’s inaugural year, finishing on top of the ladder.
That success continues to be overlooked heading into the new season, with bookmakers putting the Lions second last in betting for the title at $9.
The doubts over whether they can maintain their 2017 momentum have been made worse by comments such as those made by Harris, who said she was enjoying a more “professional” environment at new club Carlton.
“Brisbane, the way it is, and everyone knows, it’s a bit chilled,” Harris said.
“I liked that at the time.
“Now I’m here, I 100 per cent understand that it’s professional all the time.”
As the Lions launched their 2018 season at Coorparoo yesterday, her ex-teammates slammed the suggestion that Brisbane were below the standard of other clubs, with vicecaptain Leah Kaslar saying the comments contributed to the doubt surrounding the Lions.
“What she said echoes what a lot of Victoria thinks,” Kaslar said.
“It will let us be the unknown and will let us have the chance to shock and surprise them again this year.
“But we definitely have a very professional team.
“It’s up to a player what level of professionalism they bring to a team as well.”
Star duo Kaitlyn Ashmore and Emily Bates backed Kaslar’s stance yesterday.
As the Lions prepare for Saturday’s season-opening grand final rematch against premiers Adelaide in South Australia, Ashmore admitted they also had an eye on their Round 3 showdown with Carlton.
“She can have her own opinion on everything,” Ashmore said of Harris.
“She can say what she wants … but we like to keep that rubbish outside of our four walls. She’s found a new home and she will say things that relate to her new home.
“Good luck to her and we’ll see her obviously in Round 3.
“I love the professionalism that we have at this club. I like to call us one of the most professional clubs in Australia.”
Melbourne are a popular tip among the AFLW captains to reach the grand final.
Surprisingly, no captain has picked Adelaide or Brisbane.
The AFLW was launched yesterday in Melbourne, with the eight captains polled for their predictions.
Four rival captains tipped Melbourne as grand final opponents after they finished third in the inaugural season. Three went for Carlton. The season starts on Friday with the marquee Carlton versus Collingwood clash at Princes Park in Melbourne.