Collingwood know better than anyone in the AFLW that a slow start is disastrous.
The Magpies have opened the first two seasons with three-straight losses, dooming them to mid-table finishes.
So winning early is a top priority as they head into the third season in February and a new conference system.
“We’ve struggled with that in the last two years,” assistant coach Lynden Dunn said on Wednesday.
“Without putting too much pressure on ourselves, we know you don’t get very long to make a mark in the competition.”
Dunn is on staff again this season and well as continuing his AFL playing career.
He is enthusiastic about the women’s chances, despite their modest results so far.
“I couldn’t be more excited for the group we have this year – we’re a lot younger, the girls are hungry,” he said.
Dunn, 31, plans to keep playing for several seasons but said coaching has opened his eyes.
“I love coaching and the women’s game, it’s very different … not a bad different,” he said
“It’s something I will pursue possibly when I finish playing but hopefully I don’t have to worry about that for a few more years yet.
The women trained with the Collingwood men’s team on Wednesday and captain Steph Chiocci said it was invaluable experience.
“Just to rub shoulders with the best of the best – they were runners-up, they have an elite standard and just running around with them, to see how they go about it,” she said.
“It’s the little things that they do well and the fundamentals.”
Former netball star Sharni Layton has joined the Magpies and Chiocci said she could play anywhere on the ground.
“You’ll hear her too, she’s quite boisterous,” Chiocci said.
“She’s really versatile … it will be very interesting to see.”
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Imagine my disappointment when I discovered over the weekend that this – not Tigers-Lions, as I’d previously thought – would be the final Friday night game of the home-and-away season.
As we head into the business end of the season there are a few clubs that have footy pundits talking about certain narratives.
Collingwood star Steele Sidebottom needs surgery after he was kicked in the groin at training ahead of their big AFL clash with Essendon.
Collingwood remain in the hunt for a top-four AFL finish after consigning Melbourne to more misery with a 17-point defeat at the MCG.
Collingwood big man Mason Cox is the latest Magpie to be grounded for the AFL season.
