Brisbane Lions gamers have accomplished the business on the park to earn the appropriate to host the AFLW grand ultimate however defender Shannon Campbell says coach Craig Starcevich has been the glue holding the present collectively.
Campbell is considered one of six gamers who’ve been with the Lions from the beginning of the AFLW.
Starcevich was the founding Lions coach and his affect on a squad that can play their fourth grand ultimate in seven years towards Melbourne in Springfield on Sunday has been immense.
It has not gone unnoticed by his friends, who’ve this yr voted Starcevich the AFLW coach of the yr for a second time.
Campbell spoke about Starcevich in the identical awed method many NRL gamers discuss mastercoach Dolphins mentor Wayne Bennett.
“I see him as a father figure. He can be hard when he needs to be, but he can also be really loving and nurturing for those people that need that,” Campbell stated.
“He is really good with his feedback and being approachable and that is what you need, especially in the women’s program.”
Campbell stated the 55-year-old 1990 premiership-winning participant with Collingwood had constructed the Lions on a strong basis and that those that have come afterwards have embraced the team-first ethos which has led to success.
“We had a fair bit of turnover when the first expansion teams came through but Craig has been unreal in making sure we build a culture that everyone wants to be a part of,” she stated.
The coach has taken Campbell’s recreation to a brand new degree along with his consideration to element – whether or not in video periods, on the coaching discipline or within the health club.
Campbell stated ladies’s CEO Breeanna Brock and excessive efficiency supervisor Matt Green had additionally formed Brisbane’s success.
“We have got a really good group of people around us that have been able to get us to this position again,” she stated.
“Four grand finals in seven years is pretty unreal.”
Campbell has loads of big-game expertise. She is just not superstitious however she has a pre-game ritual she is going to observe to the letter on recreation day
“A lot of the girls you will see come out onto the field before a game but I am in the change rooms. I like to be in a bit more peace and quiet,” she stated
“I am in the change rooms with my headphones on and in my own space. I will stick to my routine and will be ready to go when I get out there.”
