A spot in the Preliminary Final is on the line when the Lions face Richmond in Saturday’s Qualifying Final.  

Get up to speed with everything you need to know ahead of the big game! 

# 1 Lions On The Hunt

After the Tigers handed Brisbane its only loss of the home and away season, the Lions will be looking to even up the ledger come Saturday’s Qualifying Final and secure their spot in the first Preliminary Final.

In blustery conditions at Punt Road Oval, the Tigers rained the pressure down on the Lions to walk away with a narrow four-point-win over the ladder leaders.  

The Lions took plenty away from that meeting with Head Coach Craig Starcevich telling media on Friday that they are looking to go into Saturday’s qualifier with a refreshed mindset.  

04:30

AFLW How it Unfolded: Rd 5 vs Richmond

The Tigers and Lions clash in round five of the 2022 NAB AFL Women's Competition

“It was only five or six weeks ago and both Clubs have played a fair bit of footy since then,” Starcevich said.  

“We’ve gone on and faced different opponents with different strengths and weaknesses. We’ve played a fair few games interstate and a fair few down the Gold Coast. 

“Things have moved, but we’ve definitely gone back and had a look at what didn’t work that day. How the opposition were able to prevent things from happening and how they’re able to get their game going as well.” 

#2 Talls Go Head-To-Head

Two key players who missed the Round 5 match-up between these two sides are set to go head-to-head in Saturday’s Qualifying Final.  

Season 7 competition leading goalkicker Jesse Wardlaw made a swift return to playing after missing the Round 5 match-up due to illness. 

The 22-year-old will no doubt play an influential role in Saturday’s result, having kicked 19 goals and five behinds at 67.9% accuracy this season.

00:33

Wardlaw Gets the Lions Going

Jesse kicks the first against the Crows

  

Tall Richmond defender Bec Miller will likely be charged with taking care of the mercurial Wardlaw, having also missed the Round 5 clash.  

Despite having only played five games so far this season, Miller has pulled together some of the best performances of her AFLW career, including having played a critical role in the Tigers’ draw with North Melbourne in Round 10. 

#3 Midfield Battle 

It could all be won or lost in the middle on Saturday as two star-studded midfields go head-to-head.  

With an in-form Ally Anderson and Belle Dawes leading the charge for the Lions around the centre, combined with the constant threat that Season Six W-medallist Emily Bates, tackling machine Cathy Svarc, and emerging ruck talent Tahlia Hickie present, the Tigers will have their work cut out for them on Saturday. 

However, it won’t be a one-sided affair, with in-form Tigers Monique Conti, Ellie McKenzie, Grace Egan and young ruck Gabby Seymour likely to cause chaos with the Lions’ plans to dominate play on Saturday.