THE 2022 AFL Women’s season is almost upon us, so it’s time to take a look at each of the competing teams and see where they sit as we head into another season.

Next up it’s the 2021 premiers, Brisbane.

After flying under the radar for quite a while, Brisbane is now the team to beat heading into 2022 after they broke through for their first flag in 2021.

They had a fast start in 2021 winning the first three matches of the season by a wide margin, before ultimately sneaking past Collingwood in the Preliminary Final to make the Grand Final, and then upsetting Adelaide to win the flag.

The question for Brisbane this year is how they cope going from being one of the hunters, to being the hunted?

Even though they are the reigning premiers, there is still a chance they will fly under the radar once again, which will certainly help them. Although they are still one of the contenders, much of the premiership contention talk has been about the likes of Adelaide, Collingwood and Melbourne.

Taking a look at their squad, they have lost a lot of experience that helped them land their first flag last season. Lauren Arnell, Jessy Keeffe, Rheanne Lugg and former captain Emma Zielke all retired at the end of last season, which is a lot of experience to go out of the side all at once.

Although they’ve brought in plenty of young talent in Lions Academy graduates Maggie Harmer, Mikayla Pauga and Bella Smith. Though they have been able to bring in those graduates, the Lions have kept a close eye on the QAFL Women’s competition, also bringing through Luka Yoshida-Martin and Lucinda Pullar.

Though a younger side on paper, new captain Breanna Koenen will be confident about her team’s chances given there is still some outstanding talent on the park. Alongside her in the defensive 50 is Kate Lutkins and Shannon Campbell, as well as new recruit and ex-Tiger Phoebe Monahan.

Inside 50, the Lions are as damaging as any other side in the competition, with Dakota Davidson and Courtney Hodder two of the main dangers, though they have some young talents developing in the squad. Through the midfield Ally Anderson and Emily Bates are among the best in the competition, and the depth in the Lions’ lineup is outstanding. Even with Lily Postlethwaite still inactive due to recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, the Lions have plenty of players who can step up and fill her role.

2022 squad:

• Ally Anderson
• Emily Bates
• Greta Bodey
• Shannon Campbell
• Gabby Collingwood
• Sophie Conway
• Dakota Davidson
• Belle Dawes
• Jade Ellenger
• Zimmie Farquharson
• Nat Grider
• Maggie Harmer
• Tahlia Hickie
• Courtney Hodder
• Breanna Koenen
• Kate Lutkins
• Maria Moloney
• Phoebe Monahan
• Orla O’Dwyer
• Mikayla Pauga
• Lucinda Pullar
• Bella Smith
• Taylor Smith
• Cathy Svarc
• Ruby Svarc
• Indy Tahau
• Jesse Wardlaw
• Sharni Webb
• Jess Wuetschner
• Luka Yoshida-Martin