By Shae Killey
AFL action kicks off for Queensland fans this Saturday with the Lions taking on the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium in the afternoon and the GC SUNS lining up against St Kilda at Metricon Stadium in the evening.
Local supporters can expect a much more exhilarating 2013, with both teams looking like much improved outfits this year.
The Lions – who look like a potential finals team this year – will aim to continue their NAB Cup heroics into the home and away season, with a first-up win against the Bulldogs.
Despite winning the NAB Cup, Voss said the pre-season had no correlation to premiership matches and the Lions would have to continue improving – particularly in the midfield – if they are going to get anything out of season 2013.
“We need players to come in and have career-best seasons,” Voss said.
“Not so much from Jonathan Brown, but we need it from our midfield group, that 21 to 23 years of age that have that physical maturity and can stand up to contests.”
The ever-improving GC SUNS are looking for a far more competitive 2013; and with their young list maturing the Gold Coasters will have a great chance to get the season underway with a win, in front of a home crowd at Metricon.
Reliable defender Matthew Warnock says the Gold Coast Suns have much more mature bodies heading into this premiership season and are ready to surprise a Saints outfit who demolished them twice last year.
“We’re going out there to win and we’re going to be doing everything we can,” said Warnock.
“We’ve had some big improvements this pre-season, we’re fitter and stronger and while most clubs might be saying that at this time of the year – we’re confident going into this week that we’re certainly capable of going out there to win.”
