Queensland’s female footy legacy on display in Lions GF team

19 Queensland community football clubs will be represented as the Brisbane Lions attempt to create AFLW history tomorrow and win back-to-back AFLW Premierships in the 2024 NAB AFLW Grand Final at IKON Park.

Of the 21 players named in the Grand Final team, 16 were drafted from Queensland and honed their skills at local clubs across the state.

Far North Queensland is represented by Poppy Boltz from Centrals Trinity Beach and Cairns Saints. From the Townsville region, Hermit Park’s Ellie Hampson and Magnetic Island’s Breanna Koenen are part of the squad.

The Sunshine Coast is also well represented, with three local clubs claiming AFLW Premiership players: Coolum Beach Breakers (Isabel Dawes), Nambour and Hinterland (Shannon Campbell), and the Maroochydore Roos, where Dawes and Campbell played QAFLW football alongside Lily Postlethwaite, who played her junior footy at the Moreton Bay Lions.

All-Australians Ally Anderson and Sophie Conway fly the flag for the Zillmere Eagles on Brisbane’s northside, while the Jindalee Jags are represented by Natalie Grider. 

Coorparoo Kings have three representatives: Jade Ellenger, Tahlia Hickie, and Ellie Hampson, who made the move to Southeast Queensland for senior football.

Rising star Charlotte Mullins represents North Lakes, Ferny Grove and Aspley, as well as Wilston Grange as does New South Wales-born Cathy Svarc who played senior football with the Gorillas before being drafted. 

While youngster Evie Long went from playing QFAW Division 1 football for Sandgate to the Brisbane Lions in less than six months.

Other notable clubs with representatives include University of Queensland (Dakota Davidson, Natalie Grider, Breanna Koenen), Southport (Poppy Boltz), and Bond University (Taylor Smith, Ellie Hampson).

The coaching staff also boasts a strong Queensland presence. Since 2014, Craig Starcevich has been a prominent figure in Queensland women's football, having coached the 2018 Under 18 team that triumphed over Vic Metro at the AFLW National Championships, alongside Breanna Brock, the former AFL Queensland Female Participation Manager. 

Tomorrow's coaching lineup includes Phil Lovett (former University of Queensland), Ryan Davis (former Southport Sharks), and Matt Green, the Head of High Performance, (former Sherwood). Even runner Brett Duke, was Assistant Coach of the State Under 18 Queensland girls team in 2019.

Since 2019, the growth of women and girls football has continued to break records in Queensland.

Female participation in NAB AFL Auskick has increased by 73%, and the number of women and girls playing community football has grown by 41%.

Youth football has also seen a significant boost, with female participation rising by 54%. 

In Southeast Queensland alone, female community football participation has surged by 133% since 2019, while girls’ NAB AFL Auskick participation has increased by 96%.

In the past year, total women’s and girls’ participation in Queensland has grown by 24% compared to 2023, with women and girls now representing 31% of all participants in the state.

There have also been significant improvements in facilities, thanks to the AFL’s Grand Final Facilities Fund, a lasting legacy of Queensland hosting the historic 2020 Toyota AFL Grand Final at the Gabba.

The fund, a partnership between the Queensland Government and the AFL, supports local governments, grassroots community clubs, umpiring organisations, and schools in developing AFL facilities across the state.

With a combined project value of over $120 million, the initiative has funded more than 100 projects.
Notably, there has been a 70% increase in the number of female-friendly player and umpire changerooms, further improving access and inclusion for women and girls in the sport.

Trisha Squires, Head of AFL Queensland, said the legacy the Brisbane Lions had created in the AFLW’s short history was nothing short of incredible. 

“The players are fantastic role models to our young girls, and boys, and those aspiring to play football, whether it’s kicking the ball at their local club or playing in the AFLW,” she said. 

“And not just that, they’re an inspiration for women to become coaches, umpires and administrators.

“What’s really special about this Brisbane Lions Grand Final team is their connection and representation of Queensland; with 16 of the 21 players named drafted from Queensland and who played their senior and junior footy in local cubs around the state.

“On behalf of AFL Queensland; and all community football clubs, I wish our mighty Brisbane Lions the very best of luck and know they will do us proud whatever the result.”

Details about the NAB AFLW Grand Final can be found here: https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/matches/7174