Suns girls want crack at Lions in first year
THE Suns have asked the governing body to ensure they play a “QWClash” fixture against Brisbane in Gold Coast’s inaugural AFLW season in 2020.
Gold Coast will be one of four clubs added to the AFLW next year, with West Coast, Richmond and St Kilda, creating a 14-team competition.
The AFL is yet to reveal if it will continue with the controversial conference system used this year.
Gold Coast women’s football manager Fiona McLarty said they had already spoken with the AFL to stress the importance of playing the Lions no matter the format.
“Even if we aren’t in the same conference we definitely want to play them,” she said.
“We want to have that Queensland rivalry. I’m not sure if we call it the QWClash or what but it would be good for the footy community here.
“The AFL hasn’t officially asked for feedback but we have said to them it’s important we play each other.”
Gold Coast’s rivalry with the Lions could be fierce from the outset, with the Suns able to sign up to 12 players from other clubs, while Brisbane can lose up to eight.
Preference is given to players wanting to remain in their current state or wanting to return home and McLarty said the Gold Coast were confident they would get all the players they wanted from the Lions.
Gold Coast held a talent identification day yesterday for players who have not been scouted through the QAFLW or 2018 Winter Series.
The club will host an intraclub match on April 17 before picking a squad for the rebranded 2019 Queensland Women’s Winter Series.