BRISBANE Lions AFL Women’s captain Emma Zielke could face a delayed start to pre-season training after breaking a non-weight bearing bone in her ankle in a Winter Series match on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Zielke was playing for the Lions against a Gold Coast team in a curtain-raiser to the Suns-Bombers AFL match at Metricon Stadium. She was stretchered off the ground in the second quarter.

The 30-year-old skipper posted the news on Twitter, but did not confirm which ankle was affected.

The club has said she is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of the AFLW season, which is likely to commence in early February. 

"We are disappointed for 'Zilks', but [we] know she will be ready in time for next season," Lions AFLW CEO Breeanna Brock told the club website.

The Lions comfortably defeated the Suns and ended the Winter Series undefeated.

AFLW teams are due to start pre-season training in early November, with season three of the competition likely to commence in early February.

The Lions were dealt a blow earlier this month when emerging youngster Sophie Conway tore the ACL in her left knee while in Melbourne, where she was training with Richmond’s VFLW team.

The club will receive an extra draft pick to cover for the loss of Conway, as she has been ruled out for the entire season.