BRISBANE has lost a fair few names from its best side over the off-season, but has terrific depth which has seen the Lions make two consecutive Grand Finals. Lauren Arnell arrives at the club to give some vital experience, while young gun Brianna McFarlane signed on as a rookie last week. With the young talent coming through Queensland, it is expected Brisbane will have plenty of new faces walking through the door, and join the likes of Sabrina Frederick-Traub and Jessica Wuetschner as dangerous players to opposition sides. The Lions will look to reload for 2019 and hope to go one better after two near misses.

Last year: 2nd

IN: Lauren Arnell, Brianna McFarlane
OUT: Kaitlyn Ashmore, Renee Cowan, Britt Gibson, Nicole Hildebrand, Kalinda Howarth, Tahlia Randall, Molly Ritson (rookie), Jamie Stanton.

BRISBANE AFLW list (25/30)

• Ally Anderson
• Lauren Arnell
• Bella Ayre
• Emily Bates
• Ruby Blair
• Shannon Campbell
• Arianna Clarke
• Gabby Collingwood
• Sophie Conway
• Nat Exon
• Sabrina Frederick-Traub
• Megan Hunt
• Leah Kaslar
• Jessy Keeffe
• Breanna Koenan
• Kate Lutkins
• Kate McCarthy
• Brianna McFarlane
• Emma Pittman
• Krystal Scott
• Sam Virgo
• Sharni Webb
• Jessica Wuetschner
• Jordan Zanchetta
• Emma Zielke.

DRAFT PICKS

9, 22, 33, 44, 54, 60, 65

POSSIBLE DRAFT PROSPECTS

Brisbane is in the unique position of having the senior coach – Craig Starcevich – as the head coach for the Queensland Under 18s side, which had a terrific AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships. He will know not only the talent, but the characters of the players inside and out. Of those invited to the AFL Women’s Draft Combine, athletic ruck Lauren Bella could slot straight into the side to replace Tahlia Randall, coming off a strong performance at the championships, and impressive testing results at the combine. Under 18s state captain, Natalie Grider is another prospect expected to join her coach at the Lions, primarily playing off half-back at the championships and showing good composure and skills out of the back half. Jacqui Yorston was the third Queenslander invited to the combine, and will be able to slot straight into the Brisbane midfield if required. Only so many Queenslanders can make their way onto the Brisbane list, but Jade Ellenger, Tori Groves-Little and Jesse Wardlaw played off in a senior Grand Final in the Queensland Women’s Football League and did not look out of place. With Gold Coast coming in next year, even if some miss out this season, there will more opportunities available ahead of the 2020 season.