Moree's Jess Maher selected in Brisbane Lions AFL women's Winter Series squad

The Lions have already played the first of their three winter games against the Gold Coat Suns with a win at Metricon Stadium on May 25.

Maher unfortunately missed that clash due to a hip injury that has kept her off the park for the last 10 weeks.

However, she is progressing well and if her recovery continues to progress then the Bond University and Simon Black Academy representative will be set to pull on a Lions guernsey on June 23 in Mackay.

"If she's fit, she'll be in for sure," Maher's former coach Duane Macey said.

After playing for the University of Queensland in the QAFLW last season, the ex-Moree Sun joined Bond University in 2019.

Macey said that Lions AFLW coach Craig Starcevich has had his eye on Maher for some time, but Maher has been unsuccessful in the last two AFLW drafts.

According to Macey, both the Lions and Gold Coast Suns have Maher on their radar for the 2019 draft.

Right now though, Macey and Maher are just focused on getting back on the field.

"Just the injury that's happened to her this year...it's been a tough road physically and mentally on her," Macey said.

"We know the physio has already told her she's on the end of it now."

If Maher can continue on her way and get drafted by the Lions, it would be an incredible achievement for a player who only picked up the game three years ago.

"She'll be the first female athlete to play in the women's AFL from the north west region," Macey said.

"It's pretty big for AFL in the country area. It's something that those young girls now in that north west region can strive for. If they put their minds to it they can get to where she is."

Macey credits the Simon Black Academy with a lot of Maher's success.

She has represented the state in athletics - her speed and agility have always been her biggest strengths - while her kicking skills have always been a solid part of her game thanks to her soccer background.

Her time at the academy has only help her enhance those skills.

"It's been a lot of hard work and dedication over the last two years to get where she is now," Macey said.

Maher has spent most of her career playing on the wing or in the centre, but the Lions are considering a switch into the forward line.

"They've been working a lot with her as far as up front, in terms of her speed and agility, they're looking at that small forward position," Macey said.

"With her speed and agility she's got I think it'll be ideal for her. She wasn't much of a goal kicker but she's been working on it a lot over the last six months."

For now, all the focus is on making sure she is fit and firing for the Lions second clash against the Suns.

"I don't think she's going to be 100 percent fit going into Mackay and she knows that herself. As long as she can get onto the paddock and prove herself to Craig (Starcevich)," Macey said.

"Craig has seen her play and is pretty impressed with what she can do."

That match will kick off at 12pm at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay on Sunday, June 23.