If there’s one thing Lions AFLW Coach Craig Starcevich has learned in the 2020 pre-season – it’s that he’s in for a tough assignment come Round 1.

“It’s going to be really, really hard to find our best 21 because the team is so even,” Starcevich told lions.com.au.

“We’ve recruited a very athletic group, but the skill level keeps rising as well.

“It’s great and hopefully a really good sign for our performances next year.”

Starcevich said the team have been training hard. Physically they have progressed ahead of schedule and able to have match simulation earlier than expected.

Along with the 12 new faces welcomed into the team, the group has also included a new coach in Phil Lovett, who will be the team’s development coach. He is a familiar face to many of the draftees, with Lovett also the Hyundai Help for Kids Lions Academy women’s coach.

“That connection between what’s coming through our pathway and who needs developing in our team – we wanted to make sure that was nice and smooth,” Starcevich said.

Daniel Merrett and Brent Staker are back as line coaches but have swapped positions with ‘Stakes’ now backline coach and ‘Sauce’ taking care of the forwards.

“They just need freshening up themselves, they’ve been doing it now for three years,” Starcevich said.

Clark Keating has returned and will continue to look after the midfield and ruck, along with some occasional help from his premiership teammate Simon Back.

Emma Zielke will Captain the side in 2020, previously leading the side to two AFLW Grand Finals in 2017 and 2018.

“Not having the title last year didn’t take away any of Emma’s leadership qualities, on and off the field, and her peers recognised that,” Starcevich said.

“Emma’s pretty bold and decisive in how she thinks about the game and what she wants from the team at training and on game day.”

For the first time in her four-year career as a Lion, Sharni Webb will act as Vice-Captain.

“Sharni’s great strength is bringing the team together and recognising on game day how people are feeling,” he said.

“They’re quite different but they’ll complement each other.”

The Lions return to pre-season on January 2nd, with a nice surprise from their coach awaiting them.

“Plan of attack – two kilometre time trial the day they get back,” he said.