PROLIFIC Brisbane midfielder Ally Anderson says there's a desperation for hard work fuelling the Lions as they seek to reach a fourth NAB AFLW Grand Final.
After disposing of Richmond at the weekend, Brisbane has a week off to prepare for a preliminary final against either Adelaide or Collingwood.
Anderson, who was named in the 42-strong All-Australian squad, is symptomatic of the Lions' season, improving and playing the best footy of her already impressive career.
The 28-year-old is averaging 22 disposals, including five clearances, along with five tackles a game to drive the engine room alongside fellow AA squad member Tahlia Hickie and last season's League best and fairest Emily Bates.
Anderson said after losing at the preliminary final stage against Melbourne last season, Brisbane's thirst for hard work began in the pre-season.
"It's definitely contagious," she said on Wednesday.
"With the culture we've bult … everyone has caught it, even the new girls have caught on, you have to work hard to get a spot in our group.
"Everyone is pushing each other, it's very competitive and you want to be making the team and be better than the person next to you.
"We do push each other and want to be as elite as we can be.
"It's just a different vibe this season, we're so desperate to make the Grand Final.
"No matter what, we'll put everything into this prelim."
Anderson has twice won Brisbane's best and fairest and was an All-Australian in 2019, but this is undoubtedly the best she's played, proving a vital 'outside' link to complement her inside grunt.
Following the lead of her offsider Bates, who made huge strides in her running ability 12 months ago, Anderson used the past pre-season to improve.
"I did the running with a lot of the other girls, whereas usually I do it and the conditioning by myself," she said.
AFLW INJURY LIST How healthy is your team?
"I made it a real point to do it with girls like Orla (O'Dwyer) and Emily who are super fit, so I might have been behind them, but they kept pushing me.
"So yeah, the fitness, and the mental side of things. I think I was in a much better place this season and felt ready. I feel good mentally, good physically."
Anderson said she was not concerned about discussions around a possible Grand Final venue, saying Brisbane had to concentrate on qualifying to get there first.
