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The first round of AFLW for 2019 concludes at Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex, with the Brisbane Lions hosting the GWS Giants. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 5:05pm AEDT.
After two promising seasons, reaching the grand final on both occasions, the Lions will look to go one further and add some silverware in 2019.
The GWS Giants have been tipped by two captains to reach the grand final in 2019 and with such a tight-knit, skillful and well-coached group, they could very well do that.
These two squads played a five-period trial match against each other not too long ago, where the Giants surprisingly came out 47-point winners over the two-time grand finalists, the Lions.
In the first match of the season though, it is likely to be a tougher and tighter battle.
As expected in the first round of a new season, the Lions and the Giants have quite a few personnel changes.
Brisbane have four AFLW debutants listed for this weekend’s clash, while Lauren Arnell (previously at Carlton) will make her club debut.
Resilience, hard work and passion are the themes of the Lions’ debutants.
Paige Parker has trained with the Lions squad for the past two seasons and will finally get her chance to play in an official match on Sunday.
Jesse Wardlaw, a new footy convert, has been offered her first crack in Round 1, while youngsters Lauren Bella and McKenzie Dowrick will debut after being drafted last October and impressing in their first pre-seasons.
GWS have also named four new players, including experienced ex-Magpie forward Christina Bernardi to debut for the club this weekend.
There are moving stories throughout the AFLW this week, but the footage of Haneen Zreika from the Giants learning of her opportunity to debut this weekend is one that stuck with many.
After being delisted at the end of last season and earning her spot back in the side, the 19-year-old will become the first Muslim woman to play AFL in the Women’s competition when she makes her exciting debut this Sunday.
Speechless when she was told, it clearly means a lot to Zreika.
Gaelic footballer Yvonne Bonner and Alyce Parker – pick 12 in 2018 – will also play their first games of AFLW this weekend.
Prediction
With a new season comes a fresh start and GWS are ready to battle again in 2019.
Despite the one-sided trial match, Brisbane are looking strong heading into the season. They will want to kick off their campaign with a win and should do so at home today.
Brisbane to win by 15 points.
Join The Roar for all the action from 5:05pm AEDT and share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Venue: Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex, Burpengary
Time: 5:05pm AEDT
TV: Fox Sports, 7TWO (QLD & NSW)
Betting: Brisbane $1.76, GWS $2.07
Brisbane Lions
B: Sam Virgo, Leah Kaslar, Shannon Campbell
HB: Lauren Arnell, Sharni Webb, Kate Lutkins
C: Emma Zielke
HF: Jordan Zanchetta, Sabrina Frederick-Traub, Nat Exon
F: Jessica Wuetschner, McKenzie Dowrick, Kate McCarthy
FOL: Jesse Wardlaw, Emily Bates, Ally Anderson
I/C: Lauren Bella, Arianna Clarke, Gabby Collingwood, Paige Parker, Emma Pittman
GWS Giants
B: Cora Staunton, Maddy Collier, Tanya Hetherington
HB: Elle Bennetts, Pepa Randall, Amanda Farrugia
C: Jessica Dal Pos
HF: Courtney Gum, Alicia Eva, Christina Bernardi
F: Yvonne Bonner, Haneen Zreika, Phoebe Monahan
FOL: Erin McKinnon, Emma Swanson, Alyce Parker
I/C: Louise Stephenson, Aimee Schmidt, Nicola Barr, Rebecca Beeson, Jodie Hicks
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