The Brisbane Lions have named its final team ahead of Sunday’s history-making NAB AFL Women’s round one match against Melbourne at Casey Fields.
Captain Emma Zielke will lead the side, with the support of ‘values leaders’ Emily Bates, Sabrina Frederick-Traub, Sam Virgo and Leah Kaslar.
Jade Ransfield and Kate Deegan are listed as emergencies for the clash with the Dees.
Marquee forward Tayla Harris was a surprise selection, named at full forward, but she will have to prove her fitness at training tonight.
Harris, the first player signed by the Lions ahead of the inaugural AFLW season, injured her shoulder in a gym mishap in late January and missed the Club’s practice match victory against Greater Western Sydney.
The 19-year-old got through her first fitness hurdle at training on Wednesday and provided she gets through tonight’s session, Harris will line-up against the Dees on Sunday.
Coach Craig Starcevich said his side was prepared to match it with Melbourne after a strong pre-season.
“I think we can hit the ground running, definitely,” said Starcevich.
“We can certainly get out there and play some pretty good footy from the outset.”
Team
| B | #5 - Sam Virgo | #20 - Shannon Campbell | #11 - Leah Kaslar |
| HB | #16 - Tahlia Randall | #13 - Kate Lutkins | #3 - Breanna Koenen |
| C | #6 - Megan Hunt | ||
| HF | #14 - Sabrina Frederick-Traub | #10 - Kaitlyn Ashmore | #9 - Kate McCarthy |
| F | #2 - Shaleise Law | #7 - Tayla Harris | #23 - Jessica Wuetschner |
| FOL | #4 - Sharni Webb | #1 - Emily Bates | #8 - Emma Zielke |
| INT | #24 - Nikki Wallace | #17 - Jamie Stanton | #22 - Nicole Hildebrand |
| #19 - Selina Goodman | #25 - Brittany Gibson | #18 - Alexandra Anderson | |
| E | #15 - Jade Ransfield | #12 - Kate Deegan |
