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AAP
AAP
Oliver Caffrey

Lions won't test Scheer's injured arm in AFLW prelim

Chloe Scheer has been picked for the Cats' prelim. despite suffering a recent collarbone injury. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Don't expect the Brisbane Lions' AFLW team to repeat what players in the men's team did 18 years ago.

Rank outsiders Geelong will head to Springfield for a preliminary final on Saturday against Brisbane, who are vying to qualify for their fifth grand final.

Travelling north with the Cats will be forward Chloe Scheer, who has incredibly been selected to play less than two weeks after suffering a hairline fracture in her right collarbone.

Scheer, a premiership player with Adelaide in 2019, missed Geelong's thrilling semi-final victory over Melbourne last Sunday, but trained well enough this week to be considered to play against the Lions.

Cats coach Dan Lowther admitted on Thursday Scheer would need to play through significant pain after still having her arm in a sling as recently as Sunday.

When asked on Friday if Brisbane players would test out Scheer's injury, Lions coach Craig Starcevich laughed off the suggestion.

"I don't think we're going down that path," Starcevich told reporters.

"I was at a game at the Gabba many years ago when that happened, but that was in the men's comp and I don't think we're at that level of nastiness, if you want to to be specific."

The incident in question happened in round one, 2005, when young St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt was infamously singled out by Brisbane defenders Mal Michael and Chris Scott.

Coincidentally, Scott has been coach of Geelong's men's team for the past 13 seasons, leading the Cats to two premierships.

Geelong players celebrate.
Geelong are one win away from an AFLW decider after stunning the defending premiers Melbourne. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Geelong's women are attempting to create their own era of success, having risen up the ladder during three seasons under Lowther.

The Cats have not faced the Lions since January 29, 2022, as the clubs have not been drawn to play each other during the past two home-and-away seasons.

Starcevich is well aware of how much Geelong have improved since their last meeting when the Lions snuck home by two points.

"Our team's changed a fair bit since then, and theirs definitely has as well," Starcevich said.

"There's a style to their game that's also altered over that period that we need to be mindful of.

"It's a bit of a deep dive into an opposition we haven't played too much and I dare say they're doing the same thing about us."

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