Lions embrace finals-like AFLW clash

Mar 2, 2017 - 1:56 AM Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich says his Lions are embracing the finals-like pressure before their AFL Women's blockbuster against Adelaide.

With no finals series in the competition, the top two teams on the ladder will qualify for the grand final on March 25 - and the Crows and Lions are sitting in first and second position as the AFLW's only undefeated teams, with three rounds left to play.

The team that finishes on top will also host the grand final, meaning the stakes at Norwood Oval on Saturday night are huge for both sides.

"We've spoken about embracing it and enjoying it - it will be a great experience for them," Starcevich said.

"The rest of the competition's looking at this game and to not be daunted by it or anything like that, just to bring it on and enjoy the experience.

"We had our assistant coaches talk about their experiences in big matches and what a great thrill it is to get out there when you're playing a game where other people watching your competition think this game matters.

"It's just great to have the spotlight on you."

Neither side was particularly well fancied in the pre-season but have confounded predictions to emerge as the AFLW's dominant teams.

There's plenty of star power, with the Lions heavily reliant on marquee forwards Tayla Harris and Sabrina Frederick-Traub, and the Crows largely driven by midfielder Erin Phillips, the daughter of Port Adelaide great Greg Phillips and a dual Olympian basketballer for Australia.

Starcevich said he was undecided whether he would look to tag Phillips, who is third-best in the competition for goalkicking (five) and sixth-best for overall disposals.

"It's almost like she's been playing basketball, waiting for this day to come," he said.

"It's like a Scott Pendlebury or players like that who have come from that background that just slip straight into footy and look like they belong.

"She's been quite amazing - she's had to wait a long time for this and I daresay her dad would be pretty proud of her."

Source: AAP