Kaitlyn Ashmore has earned a second chance at gaining the biggest prize in women’s football.
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The Brisbane Lions star was part of the club’s heartbreaking loss in last year’s inaugural AFLW grand final when it lost to the Adelaide Crows by six points.
Now Ashmore has a second chance at lifting the premiership cup with her side set to take on the Western Bulldogs in the 2018 decider.
Her side is the underdogs after finishing second on the ladder behind a Bulldogs outfit that ended the home and away rounds a game clear on top. The Bulldogs won the clash between the two sides by nine points back in round two.
“They’ve been the team all year. Even before the season started, I thought they would be probably the strongest in Victoria,” Ashmore said of the Bulldogs.
Ashmore, who is from Ballarat, will come up against fellow local Jenna Bruton, who has been named in the Bulldogs’ team.
Bruton, who hails from Trentham but played some junior football in Ballarat, was drafted to the AFLW club in the national draft last October.
“She’s really good and really dangerous around the contest as well, so we will just have to watch her,” Ashmore said.
Ashmore, a former Mount Clear College student, said she was pleased this year’s grand final was being held in Victoria so family and friends had easy access to the match.
“I’m excited. It’s more like a home game for me this time,” she said.
Ashmore’s old Mount Clear College schoolmate Nicole Hildebrand hasn’t played since round five when she copped a heavy knock to the head. She is listed as an emergency for the Lions this weekend.
Saturday’s game will be played at Carlton’s Ikon Park from 12.35pm.