BRISBANE coach Craig Starcevich says he will continue to lean into his team's youth following strong performances in the opening fortnight of the season.
So stable for so long, the Lions have been forced into exposing a raft of inexperienced personnel following off-season departures and early-season unavailability to their experienced players.
In a win over Essendon and narrow loss against two-time premiers North Melbourne, Brisbane has used Marlo Graham, Claudia Wright, Rania Crozier and Sophie Peters.
The quartet are all 21 and under and have all played less than 10 games.
Throw-in off-season acquisition Lily-Rose Williamson, and Starcevich has had plenty of new faces to mesh into his 21.
"On balance across the two weeks they've been pretty good," he said on Tuesday.
"It's a case of wearing a few games where things aren't going to be as prolific as they were in dry conditions like round one.
"Anyone who starts their career has ups and downs, so we'll let things settle, show some confidence in them. We love the way they train and compete.
"We're happy to persevere. If anything, we might look to do more than that."
Dakota Davidson will be back to face Melbourne on Sunday following her one-match suspension, while Courtney Hodder (personal reasons) and Ally Anderson (hamstring) will remain unavailable.
Anderson had not missed a game since the commencement of the AFLW competition until this year and is hopeful of returning in round four.
"Clearly we miss her because she's another high-quality midfielder in your group, but it gives others an opportunity for more time," Starcevich said.
"It's been great to have Sophie (Conway) in there for longer minutes. It’s been great to have Lily-Rose in there.
"Charlie's (Mullins) been good in there over two weeks. Even Marlo had a go in there for a second-gamer against the best team in the comp, so that's great for her development as well."
Starcevich said although he was pleased with the showing against North, he wasn't "doing backflips", rueing the missed opportunity for an upset after getting within three points at the final change.
"That's still irritating a little bit. You won't get many better chances than that," he said.
