It has been an up and down year for the Lions, who started the season full of hope but injuries and the loss of their coach Dean Ward due to unavoidable circumstances has not helped their cause.

But the Lions have finished the year with five straight wins to set up an elimination final showdown with Belconnen in Canberra on Saturday.

Lions stand-in coach Amy Coote said that despite the difficult start to the year, the girls have stood up together.

“Training and match day has been a combination of us all pulling together to achieve success,” Coote said.

“Getting some players back from injuries and the improvement of our first year players as the season has progressed has culminated in a late season surge by winning the last five games and going into an elimination final this week.”

Coote said the belief is high within the Lions’ group.

“We know that from now on any loss means season over, but there is genuine belief here that this group can achieve something special,” she said.

“We have the team, talent and commitment and everything is coming together at the right end of the season.  We are taking it one training run and one day at a time – we have our eye on the prize and are not going to settle for anything less.”

Coote said the team have taken what was already in place, and with the help of the experienced players, they have moulded themselves into a strong contested team.

“Our strength is winning the contested ball and then using it to our advantage with Yolanda Jones, Eliza Oates, Bridget Doyle, Ali Naismith, Anne Noonan, rookie Nat Ayesu and Ellie Dalgarno all contributing throughout the middle,” she said.

The Lions backline is solid and composed, led by experienced campaigners Kristin Ireland and Mel Hyland, and ably assisted by Clare Lawton. With the addition of new players Hannah Martin and Kellie Macpherson, the pressure is relentless and opposition forwards are rarely allowed an easy possession.

With quality forwards Jess Doorman and Kahli Abbott coming into good form, the Lions have a balanced team.

AFL Canberra Women’s League elimination final

Riverina Lions v Belconnen

9.45am, Sterling Oval, Canberra