An intense and unpredictable combination of rain, lightning and sunshine proved to be the perfect conditions for a Brisbane Lions first-round win in the AFL Women’s League last weekend.
The Lions came into the match as underdogs, but left with bold premiership credentials after upsetting the highly-favoured Dees led by Daisy Pearce.
They will now look to carry their momentum all the way to Fremantle, where they take on the Dockers on Sunday.
With another rain-affected game on the cards, the Lions have a chance to stake their claim as the AFL Women’s wet-weather specialists.
Coach Craig Starcevich looks set to name an unchanged side, with midfielder Jamie Stanton recovering well from a jarring hit which forced her from the field early last week.
Sunday’s match holds a special significance for WA-native and Lions marquee player Sabrina Frederick-Traub, who will be playing in front of family and friends for the first time.
Frederick-Traub was instrumental against the Dees where she created plenty of contests and snapped a freakish goal to motor the Lions into the lead.
While Fremantle have been widely touted as a potential premiership team, they will be forced to play without defender Ebony Antonio who accepted a one-game suspension earlier in the week.
Antonio was charged by the AFL Women’s Match Review Panel for engaging in rough conduct with Western Bulldogs’ utility Jess Gardner.
The match will be played at 6:05pm Brisbane time and will be broadcast on Fox Sports.
By Josh Cheadle
