Shattered by last season’s AFLW grand final loss to North Melbourne, Brisbane overhauled their entire strategy.
Out went the Lions’ old game plan, and when the side returned for pre-season, Craig Starcevich’s side focused intensely on extra skills sessions, aiming to keep pace with the first-rate Kangaroos.
The Lions get another crack at redemption when they meet the unbeaten reigning premiers, the Kangaroos, in Saturday’s grand final at Ikon Park. This will mark the third consecutive decider between the two powerhouse sides.
READ MORE: The left-field option that almost thwarted Head heroics
READ MORE: Why ugly $6m blow should set off alarm bells for Bears
READ MORE: Broad explains ‘genuine’ Ashes moment that went viral
Fronting reporters on Monday, forward Ruby Svarc said last season’s defeat had become the team’s catalyst, leading to a complete revision of their strategy ahead of the 2025 season.
Lions players look dejected in the wake of the AFLW Grand Final defeat by the Kangaroos. Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos via Getty Images
“We’re so determined. It drives everything,” she said.
“It’s caused us to rethink our game plan, rethink everything that we do, so that we can tackle the next year and come back and win it the next year.
“So it’s definitely always there in the back of our minds, and we’re a really, really determined group.
“So we’re pretty keen to get out there on the weekend and do our best.”
The change-up came with some teething issues. The Lions lost three of their first five matches, including suffering a 29-point defeat to the Kangaroos in round five.
While ambitious, the new approach brought early turmoil. The Lions lost three of their first five matches, climaxing with a 29-point defeat against the Kangaroos in round five.
Ruby Svarc of the Lions roars in celebration after kicking a goal during the second preliminary final against the Blues. Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images
However, things soon snapped into focus, and the Lions responded with an unbroken run of nine victories.
Fresh off kicking four goals in Saturday’s 35-point preliminary final win against Carlton, Svarc pushed back against the idea that Brisbane was in a rut.
Instead, she insisted that early defeats were integral to the team’s growth this season.
“I wouldn’t say that [we were in a rut]. I would say that we’ve added layers to our game plan, we’ve had different opponents,” she said.
“Maybe it looked like that to people from the outside, but we knew internally what we were doing, and I guess by the end of the season, the outside world could probably see that a bit better.
“It’s not a bad thing to lose games because you actually learn so much from it.
“As disappointing and as stressful as it might be to lose those games, we actually took so much from it.
“We really reviewed them, sat in the disappointment a little bit, and it kind of gave us more motivation to be better.”
Ruby Svarc of the Lions celebrates after kicking a goal during the 2025 AFLW second preliminary final clash against the Blues. Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images
North Melbourne is just one game away from an undefeated season, boasting a 26-game winning streak.
Rather than be overwhelmed by the task, Svarc suggested that the Kangaroos’ lack of recent losses might become a vulnerability if the Lions can apply enough pressure.
“I don’t know if it’s a disadvantage, but potentially it might come into play if they start to be challenged,” she said.
“Maybe it’s a mental thing, I don’t know, we’ll see how they go.”
The Lions will travel to Melbourne ahead of Saturday’s grand final showdown at Ikon Park. The first bounce is scheduled for 7:45pm AEDT.
