Nursing a black eye from some friendly AFLW fire, returning Brisbane Lions captain Bre Koenen has the battle scars to back up her declaration the premiers are hungrier than ever.
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Koenen, best on ground in last season's grand final defeat of North Melbourne, will captain the team in their title defence later this year.
In seven seasons the Lions have missed only two deciders, defying the talent drain caused by rapid expansion to win flags in 2011 and again in December last year.
The 29-year-old says that second triumph has only added fuel to the fire.
"Everybody starts from the bottom again," Koenen said.
"That'd be the dream (going back-to-back), but there's a long way to go.
"People are more hungry, actually. We know what the base is now and don't accept anything that drops below that. We push each other more."
Those aren't just words, Koenen sporting a black and bruised left eye courtesy of a Belle Dawes bump.
"We go pretty hard," she laughed.
"It's starting to ramp up now, it's just part of the job."
The Lions will host the Kangaroos in a grand final rematch to begin the season on September 1.
Australian Associated Press
