The AFLW Lions side know it’s do or die this weekend after a rollercoaster ride of a season.
The Lions must defeat the Blues to keep their finals dreams alive, after suffering a hefty 27-point loss over the weekend to Geelong.
Ally Anderson was a shining light on a tough afternoon with 20 disposals and four tackles, consistent with her previous stellar performances in 2019.
She admits that her teammates have no choice but to learn and move on ahead of Sunday’s game against Carlton.
“You do learn a lot about it and about yourself and about your team mates,” Anderson said.
“But I think we have been really good at bouncing back from losses this season, so after we have lost we’ve really wanted to come back and play together and reconnect with each other, so I think that’ll be really important this week.”
Taking the weekend loss in their stride, Anderson says the team must focus on their consistency.
Looking towards finals aspirations, Anderson says she can’t dwell on a bad loss for too long.
“… I think for me to move on I have to do that, I have to tear apart the game and that way I can look forward to next week,” she said.
“Something that helps me is my routine.”
Sunday’s match is a ‘must win’ and Anderson isn't doubting her team's ability to do so.
“I think everyone will come into this game just really wanting to win,” she said.
“We know that the pressure is on against Carlton and I think that we will really just want to put our foot forward and go as hard as we can.”
In a Brisbane first, the AFL, AFLW and NEAFL teams will be down south together in Melbourne, with their respected games played consecutively throughout the weekend.
"We're looking forward to it and for them to get around us and get around our game.
"It’ll be really good to have the Men's teams there so we’ll want to perform even better.”
JLT Week 2:
Lions vs Melbourne
Saturday, March 9 at 4:10pm AEDT.
Casey fields, Victoria
NEAFL Prac Match:
Lions v Casey Demons
Saturday, 9 March at 12.30pm AEDT
Case Fields, Victoria
AFLW Round 6:
Lions vs Carlton
Sunday, March 10 at 4:05pm AEDT
IKON Park, Victoria
