Following a season marred by setbacks, including the devastating experience of being insulted by a crowd member in Melbourne less than a week ago, Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich has backed Lions forward Dakota Davidson to “make an impact” in the AFLW finals series.
After being the target of taunts from the fans during Brisbane’s 27-point victory over St Kilda at RSEA Park on Sunday, Davidson broke down in tears.
Before Sunday’s Lions qualifying final matchup with Hawthorn at Ikon Park, Starcevich stated on Thursday that “the remarks she experienced are not something she has heard before, but it doesn’t make it any less hurtful.”
Although she is normally stoic and gets on with things, these are the things that bother her a little bit. To be honest, her teammates and coaches undoubtedly feel the same way.
“She knows where she stands in terms of the love of her colleagues, those around her, and her family and friends, even though those things are eating away at her a little bit.”
According to Starcevich, Davidson was committed to achieving her peak performance before the end of the season.
“Dakota has had a mixed year. She experienced a couple minor setbacks along the way, missing one game due to illness and another due to a concussion, the Lions coach stated.
When the year is coming to an end, she hopes to have an influence.
She is undoubtedly beginning to piece the whole thing together, as are many of the other members of our group who have got portions throughout the year.
“A few of those will also become prominent.”
The Lions must defeat a Hawks team led by former Brisbane assistant Daniel Webster in order to be granted the privilege to host the preliminary final.
“His club has been the best at playing offensive, visually appealing football this season, so we’re kind of the same,” Starcevich remarked.
“We want to play that style as much as possible, and we have probably done so at times this season, but we also like to put some pressure on and stifle the opposition.
“That pressure and confusion, as well as keeping the opposition from getting their game going, are extremely vital when it comes to final football.”
“I would anticipate that it would be swift, transparent, and rapid from a neutral standpoint. We’ll want to slow them down, and they’ll want to slow us.
“We can discuss a lot of potential outcomes, but we’ll see what it looks like until we actually go out and start doing it.”
