Six of her Melbourne University teammates were drafted to the Western Bulldogs including Emma Keaney and Ellie Blackburn.

"Most of Melbourne Uni got drafted to the Western Bulldogs and it's nice to know, I know their strengths and weaknesses," Ashmore said.

But heading into the 2018 AFLW season, despite being the reigning minor premiers and inaugural grand finalist, it wasn't going to be easy.

Lions lost marquee, Tayla Harris to Carlton while 13 new faces joined the side, many didn't give Lions hope they would go all the way to the grand final again.

"It was up in the air at the start of the year, having 13 new girls join the squad but everyone has fitted in nicely," said Ashmore.

"Coming off last year, it is a little bit more exciting and being the underdogs is an exciting feeling," she said. 

It will be a tough challenge come Saturday for the Lions who failed to beat the Bulldogs during the regular season but after doing a Steven Bradbury to make the grand final, anything is possible for the side.