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Cross-code sensation Courtney Hodder will make her AFLW debut on Sunday after an impressive pre-season campaign with the Brisbane Lions.
The Lions open their season against Richmond at Punt Road, with Hodder set to create havoc in the forward line.
Hodder grew up playing Australian football in Western Australia, and was chosen three times in under-18 All-Australian teams.
She then switched to rugby union, and was an instant hit, scoring six tries in one Super W match for WA.
Hodder later moved to Queensland, continued to impress with the Reds and gained Australia A selection.
But after breaking her leg, Hodder made the decision to return to Australian football, with the Lions pouncing to sign her.
“She’s been really good in the pre-season,” Lions AFLW coach Craig Starcevich.
“She’s lightning fast, and very agile, and if she’s not picking up crumbs from the tall forwards and having pings at goals, then she’s getting after the opposition and tackling and being defensive.
“It’s a fair call that going to rugby has improved her ability to absorb contact and dishing it out.”
Another new face in the Lions’ line-up will be key forward Taylor Smith, who moved to Brisbane this season after only playing one match for the Gold Coast Suns last year.
“She’s tall and athletic, and still raw in terms of her footy development, but she’s improving at a rate of knots and becoming more and more reliable overhead as a forward target,” Starcevich said of the former track and field athlete.
“One thing she always does is give a contest, so she’ll give a good contest in forward 50 and she’ll also provide a good contest if she goes in the ruck.”
The Lions will travel to Melbourne on game day in a change from previous seasons when they would leave the day before the match.
“It’s unusual but there’s no problem with that,” Starcevich said.
“It’s got its positives as well so we’re looking forward to it.
“It’s another night that you’re not interstate and away from your own home, and your own habits.”
Starcevich is expecting a tough encounter against the Tigers, whose side includes former Lions star Sabrina Frederick, who played for Brisbane for the first three years of the AFLW before defecting to Richmond.
“They struggled last year in their first year in the competition but they’ve recruited really well,” Starcevich said.
“This is the first time we’ve ever played Richmond … they’re going to be a handful.”
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