'Blown away' Lions coach makes big AFLW call
The gap between North Melbourne and the rest isn't as wide as it appears, insists AFLW coach Craig Starcevich after being "blown away" by what he saw at Brisbane's first session back in training.
The inaugural Lions mentor in 2017 and two-time premiership coach has recommitted until at least the end of next season at Springfield.
Starcevich's new deal will see him surpass Adelaide's Matthew Clarke, who won't coach beyond this season, as the AFLW's longest-serving coach.
The Lions have been in all but two of the eight AFLW finals contested, and Starcevich expects those standards to continue this year.
"I don't see any wavering from that; they're very competitive," the former Collingwood premiership defender said.
"As disappointing as it was (losing last year's final), they're the type of group that want to get out and atone straight away.
"The first session back ... blew us all away actually.
"Their time trial results were extraordinarily good and concentration and cleanliness with the ball were super afterwards."
The Kangaroos beat his side 6.3 (39) to 1.3 (9) in November's decider to emphatically reverse the result of their 2023 final.
"It looks like there's a bit of a gap, but there were lots of phases in that grand final we were in the game but couldn't score," Starcevich said of the 2024 decider.
"We know what we need to fix, they want to keep improving ... and there's a big pack underneath chasing all of us.
"The competition, despite what you might hear from various channels, is in very healthy condition ... a couple of teams who didn't even make finals in Geelong, Melbourne who I think are finals-worthy, to name two.
"Our comp's strong and we'll have to be on guard every single week."
Irish recruit Neasa Dooley is among 39 Gaelic football converts in the league, but the first to come from Kildare.
"She's clean (with the ball) and already kicks it really well, but she's got a very sore fist from handballing (with) the brand new balls,'' Starcevic said.
The season kicks off on August 14 with a clash between Collingwood and Carlton.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
11 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Payne-ful blow among Hogan rampage: Four things learnt in Lions' defeat
There are few, if any, more dangerous men than Jesse Hogan in front of goal, and the reigning Coleman Medal champion was at his illustrious best to inspire a comeback triumph at the Gabba. Despite trailing for much of the contest – down by 16 at halftime – Greater Western Sydney's near flawless work in front of goal proved the difference, as the Giants stormed home at the death to shock Brisbane 17.5 (107) to 13.18 (96) at the Gabba. Hogan was at the heart of it, nailing all but one set shot to finish with six – his highlight a cheeky soccer-esque kick on the chase under pressure from Lions co-captain Harris Andrews. He even dropped back as the final seconds ticked down to pluck a final mark to stop a goal which would have got the Lions back within a kick. He was brilliantly supported by Aaron Cadman (five goals), as the pair combined for 25 marks and capitalised on the chances provided by Finn Callaghan – who finished with 32 disposals, five clearances and two goal assists in his first outing since suffering a dislocated shoulder. Lachie Winfield (33 disposals, 650 metres gained) and Lachie Ash (31 disposals and 625 metres gained) were also among the best on ground. All this from a side missing skipper Toby Greene. In contrast, the Lions were wasteful inside 50, unable to truly capitalise on the dispatch work of Hugh McCluggage (25 disposals, one goal), Dayne Zorko (26 disposals, four tackles, 611 metres gained) and Lachie Neale (25 disposals, 10 clearances, one goal). While they surpassed the Giants for inside 50s (55 to 53) and efficiency inside (58.2 per cent to 47.2 per cent), inaccuracy cruelled them at the Gabba – just as was the case in their defeat to Adelaide last week.
The Age
11 hours ago
- The Age
Payne-ful blow among Hogan rampage: Four things learnt in Lions' defeat
There are few, if any, more dangerous men than Jesse Hogan in front of goal, and the reigning Coleman Medal champion was at his illustrious best to inspire a comeback triumph at the Gabba. Despite trailing for much of the contest – down by 16 at halftime – Greater Western Sydney's near flawless work in front of goal proved the difference, as the Giants stormed home at the death to shock Brisbane 17.5 (107) to 13.18 (96) at the Gabba. Hogan was at the heart of it, nailing all but one set shot to finish with six – his highlight a cheeky soccer-esque kick on the chase under pressure from Lions co-captain Harris Andrews. He even dropped back as the final seconds ticked down to pluck a final mark to stop a goal which would have got the Lions back within a kick. He was brilliantly supported by Aaron Cadman (five goals), as the pair combined for 25 marks and capitalised on the chances provided by Finn Callaghan – who finished with 32 disposals, five clearances and two goal assists in his first outing since suffering a dislocated shoulder. Lachie Winfield (33 disposals, 650 metres gained) and Lachie Ash (31 disposals and 625 metres gained) were also among the best on ground. All this from a side missing skipper Toby Greene. In contrast, the Lions were wasteful inside 50, unable to truly capitalise on the dispatch work of Hugh McCluggage (25 disposals, one goal), Dayne Zorko (26 disposals, four tackles, 611 metres gained) and Lachie Neale (25 disposals, 10 clearances, one goal). While they surpassed the Giants for inside 50s (55 to 53) and efficiency inside (58.2 per cent to 47.2 per cent), inaccuracy cruelled them at the Gabba – just as was the case in their defeat to Adelaide last week.
The Advertiser
11 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Lions feel the Payne as Giants hit target
Aaron Cadman and Jesse Hogan have delivered the Brisbane Lions' premiership defence another blow, while a serious injury to Jack Payne soured things further in an 11-point loss to GWS. The Giants came from 21 points behind at the Gabba on Saturday, having their way in a one-sided second half to win 17.5 (107) to 13.18 (96). Cadman took 13 marks and managed five goals while Hogan kicked 6.1, the Giants kicking 8.0 in the first half, with just one other shot out of bounds on the full. Brisbane had the answers until that point, 20-year-old forward Logan Morris (five goals) shining in his match-up with Sam Taylor. But the tables turned dramatically after the main break, the Giants kicking eight of 10 goals to take a three-quarter-time lead and push that advantage out to 26 points. The Lions finally responded in the last 10 minutes but managed only 2.4 with the game's last six scoring shots. GWS (8-6), without key man Toby Greene (cork), moved to seventh on the ladder, while the Lions (9-4-1) were 5-0 but have now lost three times and drawn once in their past six games. Brisbane kicked 0.8 in a five-point loss to Adelaide last week and again lamented inaccuracy, Callum Ah Chee's missed snap with seven minutes to play just one example of a chance gone begging. The inside-50 count (55-53) was relatively even, with the Giants rushing through four behinds and touching through another to swell the Lions' behind tally. Finn Callaghan (32 disposals) was a ball magnet in his return, while Lachie Whitfield (33 touches) also pulled the strings as the Giants improved to 5-2 at the Gabba since 2017. Payne's likely season-ending knee injury was another sore point for coach Chris Fagan, although Crows recruit Tom Doedee is waiting in the VFL after overcoming back-to-back ACL injuries. The key defender leapt for a mark and landed on his left leg, but on impact it sprung back in the air and the 197cm, 101kg specimen fell to the turf clutching his knee in pain. After a lengthy delay in a hushed stadium, Payne was taken from the Gabba in a medicab. The club's first assessment, before scans, was a ruptured patellar tendon. It's likely only the diagnosis of a partial tear, with no surgery required, would be enough for Payne to consider a return this season. His absence triggered a Lions reshuffle, with forward Eric Hipwood reverting to defence and Kai Lohmann substituted into the forward line. That meant Morris was given the match-up on star defender Taylor. And he relished the contest, kicking three majors before halftime and happily engaging in verbals as he held his own against the master interceptor. The Giants had one shot miss everything, but they dealt in multiples of six in the first half, their eight straight majors keeping them in touch with the Lions' 9.10 haul before their second-half surge. Aaron Cadman and Jesse Hogan have delivered the Brisbane Lions' premiership defence another blow, while a serious injury to Jack Payne soured things further in an 11-point loss to GWS. The Giants came from 21 points behind at the Gabba on Saturday, having their way in a one-sided second half to win 17.5 (107) to 13.18 (96). Cadman took 13 marks and managed five goals while Hogan kicked 6.1, the Giants kicking 8.0 in the first half, with just one other shot out of bounds on the full. Brisbane had the answers until that point, 20-year-old forward Logan Morris (five goals) shining in his match-up with Sam Taylor. But the tables turned dramatically after the main break, the Giants kicking eight of 10 goals to take a three-quarter-time lead and push that advantage out to 26 points. The Lions finally responded in the last 10 minutes but managed only 2.4 with the game's last six scoring shots. GWS (8-6), without key man Toby Greene (cork), moved to seventh on the ladder, while the Lions (9-4-1) were 5-0 but have now lost three times and drawn once in their past six games. Brisbane kicked 0.8 in a five-point loss to Adelaide last week and again lamented inaccuracy, Callum Ah Chee's missed snap with seven minutes to play just one example of a chance gone begging. The inside-50 count (55-53) was relatively even, with the Giants rushing through four behinds and touching through another to swell the Lions' behind tally. Finn Callaghan (32 disposals) was a ball magnet in his return, while Lachie Whitfield (33 touches) also pulled the strings as the Giants improved to 5-2 at the Gabba since 2017. Payne's likely season-ending knee injury was another sore point for coach Chris Fagan, although Crows recruit Tom Doedee is waiting in the VFL after overcoming back-to-back ACL injuries. The key defender leapt for a mark and landed on his left leg, but on impact it sprung back in the air and the 197cm, 101kg specimen fell to the turf clutching his knee in pain. After a lengthy delay in a hushed stadium, Payne was taken from the Gabba in a medicab. The club's first assessment, before scans, was a ruptured patellar tendon. It's likely only the diagnosis of a partial tear, with no surgery required, would be enough for Payne to consider a return this season. His absence triggered a Lions reshuffle, with forward Eric Hipwood reverting to defence and Kai Lohmann substituted into the forward line. That meant Morris was given the match-up on star defender Taylor. And he relished the contest, kicking three majors before halftime and happily engaging in verbals as he held his own against the master interceptor. The Giants had one shot miss everything, but they dealt in multiples of six in the first half, their eight straight majors keeping them in touch with the Lions' 9.10 haul before their second-half surge. Aaron Cadman and Jesse Hogan have delivered the Brisbane Lions' premiership defence another blow, while a serious injury to Jack Payne soured things further in an 11-point loss to GWS. The Giants came from 21 points behind at the Gabba on Saturday, having their way in a one-sided second half to win 17.5 (107) to 13.18 (96). Cadman took 13 marks and managed five goals while Hogan kicked 6.1, the Giants kicking 8.0 in the first half, with just one other shot out of bounds on the full. Brisbane had the answers until that point, 20-year-old forward Logan Morris (five goals) shining in his match-up with Sam Taylor. But the tables turned dramatically after the main break, the Giants kicking eight of 10 goals to take a three-quarter-time lead and push that advantage out to 26 points. The Lions finally responded in the last 10 minutes but managed only 2.4 with the game's last six scoring shots. GWS (8-6), without key man Toby Greene (cork), moved to seventh on the ladder, while the Lions (9-4-1) were 5-0 but have now lost three times and drawn once in their past six games. Brisbane kicked 0.8 in a five-point loss to Adelaide last week and again lamented inaccuracy, Callum Ah Chee's missed snap with seven minutes to play just one example of a chance gone begging. The inside-50 count (55-53) was relatively even, with the Giants rushing through four behinds and touching through another to swell the Lions' behind tally. Finn Callaghan (32 disposals) was a ball magnet in his return, while Lachie Whitfield (33 touches) also pulled the strings as the Giants improved to 5-2 at the Gabba since 2017. Payne's likely season-ending knee injury was another sore point for coach Chris Fagan, although Crows recruit Tom Doedee is waiting in the VFL after overcoming back-to-back ACL injuries. The key defender leapt for a mark and landed on his left leg, but on impact it sprung back in the air and the 197cm, 101kg specimen fell to the turf clutching his knee in pain. After a lengthy delay in a hushed stadium, Payne was taken from the Gabba in a medicab. The club's first assessment, before scans, was a ruptured patellar tendon. It's likely only the diagnosis of a partial tear, with no surgery required, would be enough for Payne to consider a return this season. His absence triggered a Lions reshuffle, with forward Eric Hipwood reverting to defence and Kai Lohmann substituted into the forward line. That meant Morris was given the match-up on star defender Taylor. And he relished the contest, kicking three majors before halftime and happily engaging in verbals as he held his own against the master interceptor. The Giants had one shot miss everything, but they dealt in multiples of six in the first half, their eight straight majors keeping them in touch with the Lions' 9.10 haul before their second-half surge.
