3 minute read
Brisbane Lions winger Sophie Conway says her team is not satisfied with what they have achieved this year and have a ruthless mindset ahead of the AFLW decider.
Brisbane winger Sophie Conway says the ruthless edge and team-first mentality of her side is key to why the Lions have another gear to go to in the AFLW grand final against Melbourne.
The minor premiers host the Demons at their new base at Springfield on Sunday in winning form but far from content with what they have achieved this year.
Former Australia cricket captain Steve Waugh wrote a book about a record-breaking year for the national team in 1999 entitled Never Satisfied, which summed up the side's continual quest for improvement.
It could equally refer to Brisbane's thirst for AFLW success.
The Lions were the best team in the regular rounds and have won two finals but that is not enough to satisfy Conway or Lions coach Craig Starcevich.
"You can't be satisfied at all. You can always find improvements, wherever you look," Conway said.
"That's within the team or in your own game. There is plenty we have been ticking (off) and plenty we can continue to work on.
"Starc also said last week that there is a lot of good footy ahead of us, and hopefully it comes out this weekend - which I am sure it will."
Conway said the team that will contest the grand final was similar in personnel to the one that won the AFLW title in 2021. Culturally, it is on the same wavelength.
"We have only got three players that are different and they all bring unique skills, so I wouldn't say this is a better team," Conway said.
"There is definitely a similar feeling and vibe around the group. We have been able to build this culture where we look after each other and want to succeed for each other.
"It is important to maintain a strong group. We have built something we are extremely proud of since 2020.
"It is a culture with a team-first mentality and that's got us the success the last couple of seasons."
Conway said the Lions' preliminary final win over Adelaide may have been impressive but was far from perfect, with another step-up needed against the Demons.
"It is going to be hot-pressured from the get-go but as long as we are on for four quarters that is the most important thing," she said.
The setting for Sunday's grand final has been referred to as a glorified training venue by Melbourne-based pundits but Conway trained on the playing surface with her teammates on Monday night and said it was fine.
"The field is more the talk of the town than we are," she said.
"You'd think it would be the other way around, but the field is in tip-top nick. The curators have done an unreal job and we got to train on there last night which was awesome to get a feel for it.
"Our group is pumped. I am pumped."
