It’s been a whirlwind week for Brisbane and Carlton. Originally scheduled to play each other in Round 2, the game was re-scheduled as Covid-19 continues to impact the competition.
Now coming full circle, two are set to finally take each other on for the first time since 2020 in a re-shuffled fixture.
With Pride Round being the main talking point of the round, the Lions will wear a celebratory warm-up tee as well as their 2022 Pride guernsey.
Keep scrolling for the three things you need to know ahead of tomorrow’s game.
#1: Pride Round
The second NAB AFLW Pride Round is upon us. A celebration of diversity and inclusion within the game and community, both Brisbane and Carlton will don specially designed Pride guernseys to commemorate the occasion.
Brisbane will once again don their rainbow strip which was first worn against Gold Coast last year. On the significance of the round, the club stated:
“A guernsey that promotes inclusivity and individuality.
“Footy is for everyone. No matter who you are, there’s a place for you in our pride.”
Meanwhile, Carlton have focussed on the transgender community in 2022, with Carlton pride treasurer Rochelle Pattison highlighting the importance of this recognition in the guernsey design.
“We felt that acceptance of this community, inclusive of people of colour, is continuing to grow.
“There is progress to be made in our society that educates people on transgender, gender diverse and non-binary individuals and results in acceptance of their community.”
#2: Mum’s the Word
In huge news for the Brisbane Lions, foundation Lion Sharni Webb will return to the park.
The Lions’ first ever mother will come back in her first game in 672 days after giving birth to her daughter, Billie.
“Getting my name read out by Starce the other day was like ‘oh wow, it’s here, it’s happening.’”
“All the hard work has finally paid off. It’s been a slog this pre-season but I’m super excited to get a game,” Webb said.
Her inspiring return comes as she honestly admitted to media that she was close to retiring.
“It was challenging. I think when I was pregnant, I was probably close to being ready to retire,” she said.
“But I think when you’re taken away from something that’s such a big part of your identity, you realise ‘hold on, I’m not ready to retire just yet’.
#3: All About the Back Six
It seems to be a battle of the back six this week.
With a Kate Lutkins sized hole in the backline for Brisbane, the weight looks set to lean on skipper Bre Koenen and her troops as they tackle a Carlton forward line that dismantled Geelong by 14 points recently.
However, Phoebe Monahan impressed in her club debut with her attack and skills, while Nat Grider turned out a near best-on-ground performance in the Lions loss to Adelaide in Round 1.
Up the other end, Carlton boast Kerryn Harrington who will be out to stop the impact of Jesse Wardlaw. Don’t put it past Carlton Head Coach, Daniel Harford to throw extra numbers behind the ball to mitigate the impact of Brisbane’s small forwards.
After successfully countering Geelong’s attack, the crumbing threat of Hodder, Bodey and Wuetschner will be a headache for the Blues boss.
