Game style
The women’s academy has been working hard all summer on a style of play they hope will come to fruition. Both teams will look to get it out wide to the speedsters, link up from the backline, and move the ball quickly. Don’t be surprised to see the ball switched, players taking on the man on the mark, and directional changes with the footy in hand to open up the angles.
Key match ups (Lions vs. Suns)
Jordan Zanchetta vs. Emma Zielke
Both are inside midfielders who win their own footy, and both wont take a backward step. The key for Zanchetta will be to then stop Zielke’s influence on the outside.
Tayla Harris vs. Leah Kaslar
We all know what Harris is capable in the air and when the footy is on the deck, but there is no better lock down defender in the state than Kaslar, proven when she kept Chelsea Randall to four possessions in the first exhibition game last year.
Harris will love a run and jump at the ball, but will have a shadow in Kaslar the whole way.
Jenna McCormick vs. Hannah Sexton
McCormick is a clean, quick, athletic player who has a fantastic kick, while Sexton is a player who takes the game on, and uses the space superbly. They will both love the space on the wing.
McCormick will gain her metres with her thumping kick, while Sexton will carry the ball a long way. This will be great to watch.
Players that could explode
Lions
Kate McCarthy: A lightning fast winger, who the Gabba wings will really suit. She will take off and put metres on most opponents with her pace from a standing start.
Kate Ludkins: A member of the Army, Ludkins has just spent and intense two weeks with the Army AFL side. She is a tall utility who can play anywhere, whether it be in the ruck, on the flank, deep forward or deep back.
SUNS
Megan Hunt: Hunt will play the high half-forward/midfield role. She is very smart, will win possession, and change the angles up. Will constantly look inside to open the play.
Naomi Simpson: Will play on the flank, and is quick and explosive with the footy in hand. Simpson was a standout when Queensland played the Victorian Women’s Academy last month, with her strength around the ball and ability to explode out of the pack and get the ball moving forward.
Details
When: 8:00pm, Saturday April 16, at the Gabba, curtain-closing QClash11
The game is free to attend. If you are attending QClash 11, just hang around after the game. If not, enter via gate two after the AFL game has finished.
Who: Queensland Women’s Academy players, playing in Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast SUNS teams
For those of you not in South East Queensland, you can stream the game live on www.aflq-new.fspdev.com
By Andrew Wiles
Follow @andrewjwiles
