The Moreton Bay Lions will shortly venture into their first season in the Bond University QAFLW, with the club and Head Coach Shane Dawes hoping to make an immediate impression in the state’s top women’s league.
One of the biggest and fastest growing clubs in Queensland, based at one of the state’s premier football facilities, the young lions have embarked on their biggest pre-season to date.
After QFAW Division 1 Grand Final appearances in 2024 and 2022, as well as a premiership in 2023, the club has been able to sustain a high performing women’s program for a number of years, but Dawes says they’re only getting started.
“The average age of our selected team that took the field in the season 2024 Preliminary Final was just over 19 years old,” he said.
“Albeit, young and inexperienced, this core group have tremendous passion, energy and coachability better than what I’ve ever experienced as a coach in my previous 20 years of coaching.
“With the adding to the squad of a number of more experienced players, Moreton Bay will have a healthy balance of determined young women to take on the challenge ahead of us.”
Dawes said that Moreton Bay are aiming to bring something a little different to the competition, whilst maintaining respect for the strength of the league.
“Our intention is to bring something a little different to QAFLW so our main focus has been on developing the way we want to play, not necessarily trying to emulate the existing QAFLW teams,” he said.
“Although we have a healthy respect for the entire competition, we feel that we have to develop our own style, with the necessary lift in professionalism, but maintaining the Moreton Bay “special sauce” in the process.”
The return of dual state representatives Jess Davy and Ellen Hopkins has been a major coup for the club.
“Davy returns as our captain and as a person that our younger players thrive around and strive to become like. When you look at the term role model, at our club, you see a picture of Jess Davy,” said Dawes.
“Hopkins’ leadership was highlighted by Maroochydore choosing her to be their captain in her first season at that club in 2024, and she will return to her vice captain role at the Den.”
Whilst a number of returning players and big recruits have bolstered the top end of the Lions list, Dawes is especially pleased with the retention of their Under 17 youth girls who have transitioned into their senior program.
The club has invested heavily into the women’s program, making upgrades to their strength and conditioning coaching and resources.
“19-year-old Charis Tarr (2024 Moreton Bay Rising Star) has been leading the way with her statistics and energy across the pre-season,” said Dawes.
“The purchase of GPS units has allowed us to gather information and metrics across the preseason, measuring the groups outputs and efforts.
“We have been on a journey, but in many ways, this season we are at the start of that journey.
“We have built a solid foundation around character, integrity and mateship, with a genuine connection between our senior and our youth teams and our expectation is to have sustained success and eventually be one of the strongest and most consistent clubs in the competition.”
Moreton Bay face fellow newcomers Morningside in Round 1 of the Bond University QAFLW at home on April 5th.