BRISBANE Lions AFLW coach Craig Starcevich said there was a little extra bit of motivation for his side after its surprise Round 1 loss at home to Hawthorn as the Queensland team went out and smacked Fremantle by 70 points on Saturday. Putting up a club-high 17.3 (105) to the Dockers’ 5.5 (35), Brisbane had a late opportunity to better Melbourne’s record score – in 2022 also against the Dockers – but was touched on the way through.

Starcevich said he was not surprised his team responded from last week’s tight four-point loss to Hawthorn given the Lions’ history in the competition.

“Good to bounce back,” he said. “Our group’s had a history of doing that so we thought today was going to be really, really tough given Freo’s form last week but so pleased with the way our crew bounced back.

The Lions mentor said the most pleasing thing was capitalising on opportunities through accuracy on goal, running at 85 per cent from scoring shots, and scoring 34 per cent of the time the ball went inside 50. Starcevich highlighted the “strong character trait” of his group being able to rebound and win when on the road.

“This is our 10th year in the comp, so we’ve always been a good road team,” he said. “It tends to bring our group together and they like spending some time together and getting out and playing. “Coming off last week where we really blew that one last week a little bit, to redeem yourself when you’re away from home, it’s something that has always driven our group and been a strong character trait of our group so it continues and it’s great for the confidence.”

Starcevich was additionally pleased with an even contribution across the board as Brisbane had seven multiple goalkickers including Courtney Hodder (three goals), Taylor Smith (two) and Dakota Davidson (two), with Ally Anderson (25 disposals, five tackles, and six inside 50s) starring through midfield.

In describing what a perfect game for the Lions looked like, Starcevich said it involved both offensive and defensive facets, and he felt that both layers were on point in the huge victory.

“Ideally you want high pressure and you want control when you’ve got the ball,” he said. “You don’t always get that, the opposition don’t always allow that to happen. “Today we played our part in making sure we stifled the opposition with our pressure, and we were able to control ball movement as well with uncontested possession as well, so that was something that we were really, really pleased with.

“If you get that combo right, it goes a long way to getting the result.”

Fremantle coach Lisa Webb described the heavy loss as “tough” and that the Lions were a “seriously impressive side”.

“They clearly were really dominant, we just couldn’t slow them down and obviously we kicked the first goal and then that was about it,” she said. “They just outworked us all day, so obviously disappointing and I just said to the girls ‘a win against Port was great and we wanted to see where we were at, and coming up against a team like this’ but now we just need to look forward. “We’re one and one but we’ve got a really big game next week so we’ve just got to look forward.”

When asked what it was that made the gulf between the two sides so large, Webb said it was down to work rate and composure first and foremost.

“I just thought we were second to the ball, I thought their speed especially in transition they scored far too easily so we’re going to have to look at that,” she said. “We just didn’t get it right, our come forward pressure, we were a bit reckless at times, we just didn’t get it right. “They’re a really good team and when they get out on you, they obviously score and they certainly did today.”

Both teams take to the field on Sunday as part of the first week of Indigenous Round, with the Dockers – who will be known as Walyalup – will tackle reigning premiers North Melbourne at Fremantle Oval, while Brisbane returns home to take on Carlton who is also 1-1 in season 2025.