1. An AFLW Rivalry
The Lions and the Pies have had plenty of electric AFLW match-ups over the years, and this Saturday is shaping up to be no different.
While the ledger is currently in the Lions favour having won the last two meetings by a total margin of just seven points, and the Pies coming off a hard loss to ladder-leaders Fremantle, the visitors will be ready to throw everything they have at getting back on the winners list.
The last time these two sides met, the Lions ended the Pies 2021 Premiership campaign with a down to the wire thriller at the Gabba.
A close game right from the start, the eventual Premiers just held on to take the win and to secure their place in the 2021 Grand Final.
If their past meetings are anything to go by, footy fans are in for a treat this Saturday afternoon.
2. Forced to Adapt
Losing a key figure to injury is always a challenge, and it’s one that both the Lions and the Pies have already had to face this season.
With key Lions defender Kate Lutkins and Collingwood Captain Bri Davey both sidelined with season-ending ACL injuries, how well their respective teams have adapted will undoubtedly play a role in Saturday’s result.
The Lions have looked towards young guns Nat Grider and Indy Tahau, as well as off-season recruit Phoebe Monahan to step up and fill the gap left by Lutkins.
Alongside backline stalwarts Shannon Campbell and Bre Koenen, the Lions defence managed to stave off a late surge from a determined Geelong last weekend.
However, the combination of impressive forward Chloe Molloy, strong mark Sabrina Frederick and emerging young talent Eliza James will test the strength of the Lions’ backline.
While Collingwood have leant on hard-running midfielders Britt Bonnici, Jaimee Lambert and Sarah Rowe to compensate for the loss of experienced midfielder, Davey.
The trio all stepped up their work rate against Fremantle last weekend, with Rowe gathering a career-high 24 disposals.
They’ll find another good contest this weekend when they come up against a strong Lions midfield.
3. Home Ground Advantage
Saturday will be the Lions’ second home game at the Maroochydore Multi Sport Complex, and with that comes a home ground advantage.
After a fired up home crowd got them over the line against Geelong, the Lions will be looking for another bumper crowd to get behind them when they face the Pies.
Speaking to media earlier in the week, key forward Dakota Davidson urged as many Lions fans as possible to get to Maroochydore this Saturday.
“We’d love to see another big crowd down there on Saturday,” Davidson said.
“It was great last week having the crowd behind us, it was such a huge atmosphere booster seeing all the Sunny Coast supporters and Brisbane supporters get up there.”
There’s still time to get your ticket HERE and get behind the Lions at Maroochydore on Saturday.
