SWFLW 2023: Lions women’s team display tremendous resolve despite Donnybrook defeat

Progress made by the HBL women’s team over the past six months was on full display during Saturday afternoon’s 4.4 (28) to 1.2 (8) defeat against Donnybrook at Brunswick Oval.

The Lions might have not walked away with the four premiership points, however they left everyone in no doubt about their intent to one day return to finals action.

During the early years of the SWFL women’s competition, HBL — led by Brittany Gliddon, Logan Cristaldi and Irish recruit Shauna McGuinness — played a quality brand of football and won a number of games.

Prior to and following the COVID-19 pandemic, these star players all moved into different phases of their lives and the Lions have never been able to fill the void left by their absence.

However this may be about to change, as the Lions served it up to Donnybrook, who reached last season’s preliminary final, for the majority of this absorbing contest.

The Dons benefited greatly from the inclusion of Abbey Westra (Peel Thunder), who won plenty of the ball around the ground.

Pleasingly for the Lions, their defence was solid throughout, collecting more than six intercept marks in the first quarter alone.

Their pressure was so effective, it took Maxwell Jetta’s side until the quarter-time siren to boot their first goal, courtesy of Lacey Holdsworth.

A well-deserved goal early in the second term from Claire Brown briefly put the Lions in front, however a swift reply from Shelley Hull quickly snuffed out this momentum.

Two goals in as many minutes early in the third quarter ultimately broke the game open for the Dons as fatigue began to set in for the hosts, however this failed to dampen the optimistic feeling among Lions supporters throughout the afternoon following their observation of play.