Sports - AFL
Brisbane coach warns North Melbourne is another Whack-A-Mole
Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich says the Lions must stay alert for fresh threats as they enter Saturday’s AFLW decider as underdogs against North Melbourne.
The task of facing North Melbourne presents a familiar challenge for Brisbane Lions coach Craig Starcevich, not because both clubs dominate the AFLW elite, but because dealing with North feels like playing Whack-A-Mole, where new problems emerge as soon as one is solved.
The Lions enter Saturday's grand final as underdogs, a tag Starcevich embraces without hesitation. In a Friday press conference, he said having played Melbourne twice within a month served as ideal preparation.
He rejected the idea the Demons offered a solid blueprint against the Roos, arguing instead that Melbourne addressed a few things but North would invariably throw up different challenges.
Starcevich noted the Lions had grown since North's round-5 win, which was one of their 26 straight victories.
That early loss had shaken confidence, but ultimately became a turning point. Over the past 2.5 months, Brisbane has built rhythm and refined when to activate certain tactics. Starcevich said the club's core DNA remained strong but it was only recently that style and structure began clicking in unison.
He added that, having found its flow, Brisbane enters the decider aware that unpredictable elements lie ahead.
They will need to be alert, responsive, and ready for the next pop-up.
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