Friends put Pride aside in new era
FORMER Lions AFLW teammates Leah Kaslar and Sabrina Frederick-Traub have shared a bevy of AFLW experiences.
From making their AFLW debuts together against Melbourne in 2017 to the shattering six-point loss to the Adelaide Crows in the 2017 AFLW grand final at Metricon Stadium, the two maintain memories for life.
But when both return this afternoon for their first AFLW fixture at Metricon since the 2017 decider, they will don different colours.
After three seasons with the Lions, Kaslar decided to join the Suns and fulfil her lifelong dream of playing for the club she’s long supported, while Frederick-Traub joined fellow expansion club Richmond in the 2019 sign and trade period.
Both clubs remain winless after tough losses, the Suns against GWS and the Tigers against Carlton, in Round 1 of the AFLW last weekend.
Despite both sharing mixed memories of Metricon Stadium, Kaslar and FrederickTraub are each determined to walk away victorious when their sides meet today at 4.10pm.
“That stung and you do remember those close losses,” Kaslar said. “It’s driven the burn in me to want to play another one here with hopefully a different outcome. This ground represents the Gold Coast. To represent this club here is a huge honour.”
Frederick-Traub added: “I obviously played my first
grand final here but didn’t get the win but to come out here and play a grand final, you don’t get many chances at that so it’s a very special memory.”
Both players have a hunger for success and won’t let friendship get in the way of a maiden AFLW win.
“If it gets to it on the ground and we’re going toe to toe then we’ll both give it our best,” said Frederick-Traub.
Kaslar said: “You always have a good rivalry with your friends and former teammates so I’d love to get one up on Sabs.”
The Suns had their first training session as an AFLW playing list at Metricon last night ahead of today’s clash.
Kaslar believes that the Suns’ Round 2 clash against a fellow expansion side will give another chance to gel.
“Every game is a test,” the Suns co-captain said.
“For us, it’s about getting better and better each week.”
Richmond will also be showing off their latest AFL Premiership Cup today, with fans having the chance to see and take photos with the trophy outside gate one at Metricon from 1pm to 3.30pm.