Emily Bates has been prolific in her fourth year of AFLW and has warned her teammates are hungrier than ever to defeat Collingwood tomorrow afternoon.
Bates is leading from the front in the midfield by averaging 23 disposals per game, with a 70% efficiency rate; up by six disposals year on year.
She said last week’s disappointing loss to Fremantle in the West, has her and her teammates hungry for another win.
“We’ve trained really well this week,” Bates said.
“I think sometimes a loss makes you hungry to perform better than ever before.
“We know what we need to do in order to be a better team and we know the way they want to move the footy.
“We’ve definitely prepared well and it’s going to be a good match up.”
The Pies had a strong win over the Western Bulldogs last weekend and will be fighting to keep their finals hopes alive tomorrow afternoon against the Lions.
“Collingwood have been building momentum over the past couple of weeks,” she said.
“But we’ve prepared well and it’s going to be a good match up.”
The Lions will blood a new debutant in Lucy Bellinger against the Pies. The South Australian is expected to play in the forward line.
Bates said Bellinger is a strong addition to the team.
“Lucy will receive that pressure from Dakota and Jesse Wardlaw in the forward line,” she said.
“She’s great at leading up to the footy and has one of the best kicks on the team. I’m very confident she’ll nail her set shots.
“She has great footy smarts that we need in that forward line.
“I’m really excited to see what she can do tomorrow.”
