Clare Lawton said she can’t wait to return to the Lions after playing a part in the inaugural Women’s AFL competition with the GWS Giants.

A week in Sydney to wrap up the season with the Giants is in store for Lawton but she revealed she’s keen to return to the Riverina side once she comes back to work at Kapooka.

“It was such a great time – the time of my life…. I finally got a crack at achieving my dream,” Lawton said.

“You achieve it, and you’re doing something you never thought possible. But I’m looking forward now to coming back to the Lions, lining up with those girls and getting back into training with the girls.”

A new era has been ushered in at the Lions, adding to the excitement around the sport generated by the first national women’s league.

The club has a new coach, Dean Ward, and this week announced Amy Coote as captain with Erin Diggelman joining long-standing vice-captain Kristin Ireland as a deputy.

“The majority of our team are new players,” Coote said. “Some of the players have got experience at other clubs but we’re pretty much rebuilding. 

“We’ve got good numbers, players are rolling in with the AFL Women’s league now national – pretty much after every game, more people come down to training.”

Among the new faces are Bridget Doyle and Tesni Pattiaratchi.

“I’m from Perth but I started playing AFL when I was in Sydney two years ago,” Pattiaratchi said.

“Then when I knew I was moving to Wagga I looked it up and found the Lions.

“I like the complexity of the sport. When I first started playing, it felt weird because I’d always played netball and water polo, where the ball always comes from one angle.

“In AFL it can come from anywhere, and you move a lot – it’s good for fitness, and for getting some bumps.”

Coote agrees, saying the attraction of Aussie rules is that there’s a role for everyone in a team.

“Look at the background of some of the women in the national league – basketball, netball – some of them have never played AFL before,” she said.

Coote is now newcomer. She is the last of the original Lions, and steps up to the captaincy, replacing long-serving skipper Julie McLean.

“The club wouldn’t be where it is today if it wasn’t for her and all that she’s put into the club,” Coote said. 

“A lot of us have always looked up to her and it’s good to follow in her footsteps. 

“She’s been a hero of our club, that’s for sure.”

A knee injury forced McLean into retirement after 14 seasons. She’s watched on with pride as the women’s game has finally enjoyed its moment in the sun, but hopes it’s just the beginning.

“I’d love to still be playing… if only this (AFLW) comp came in a few years ago,” McLean said, wistfully.

“But it’s so satisfying to watch and think you’re a part of it somehow. Hopefully more and more people get involved in it and it keeps growing.”

The Lions season gets underway at home on Saturday April 8, against the Australian Defence Force Academy at McPherson Oval.