SUNS BECOME LIONS TAMERS
THE Suns have pulled off one of the biggest coups of the AFLW sign and trade period with Brisbane Lions captain Leah Kaslar electing to join the expansion side.
The Gold Coast native was drafted by the Lions for their inaugural AFLW season and played the next three seasons with the Lions, earning All-Australian squad selection in 2017 and 2018 before teammates elected her captain for 2019.
The 33-year-old’s exit came on the same day the Suns snared fellow Lions talent Sam Virgo and Jacqui Yorston in a move that will deliver instant bona fides to the Queensland derby.
Lions coach Craig Starcevich said that Kaslar – who has been lining up for Coolangatta Tweed in the QAFLW – would be missed though he understood her challenging work situation as an environmental scientist.
“Unfortunately, we have lost her to the expansion club so that’s sad for us but we fully understand Leah’s situation where she’s got a very hectic work life and schedule,” he said.
“She travels up the highway to come and train
with us three to four times a week which is not great for her body at the moment.”
Kaslar is a candidate for the Suns captaincy.
The Suns also landed Lions veteran Virgo, with the defensive rock named in the 2017 All-Australian side but missed the 2018 AFLW season after tearing her ACL in the 2017 QWAFL grand final.
“It’s the start of something special I think,” Virgo, 32, said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how I can have an impact on the younger girls in the team and those coming through the club’s academy, it’s pretty exciting.”
Yorston, 18, was drafted to the Lions with pick 71 and played four games in her debut season, including a 12disposal, eight tackle outing against the Blues in Round 6 which earnt her a AFLW Rising Star nomination.