Written by Joe Turmine
The Tasmania Devils will enter their first full NAB League Girls season full of hope and excitement after three confidence-building invitational games in the competition last year.
The playing squad, made up of the best 45 underage female footballers from across Tasmania, is brimming with flair and showcases the strength of football talent across the state with a strong spread of players from each region (North – 14, North West – 13 and South – 18).
After a Round One bye, the Devils’ season kicks off this Saturday against the Oakleigh Chargers at North Hobart Oval. The game will be played as a curtain raiser to the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos AFLW clash with the Adelaide Crows.
Other highlights of the 2020 fixture includes five matches in Tasmania at UTAS Stadium in Launceston, North Hobart Oval and Dial Park in Penguin, with four double-headers with the NAB League Boys side.
Road trips to Kilsyth (Eastern Ranges), Highgate (Calder Cannons) and Moorabbin (Sandringham Dragons) make for a jam-packed ten round fixture, and one that will provide great exposure and lessons to the playing and coaching group.
AFL Tasmania Talent Manager – Female Programs Leigh Elder is excited about the opportunity on offer for the side, but is aware of the challenges that are on the horizon.
“It’s been a very historic and quick rise in female football for the state… It’s exciting but of course it is going to be challenging as well.
“Our concentration is all about talent development, it all about ensuring we get our girls to the highest level possible,” said Elder.
Elder talks #NABLeagueGirls opener
AFL Tasmania Female Talent Manager Leigh Elder talks about the state's journey ahead of this Saturday's #NABLeagueGirls opener against the Oakleigh Chargers Football Club at North Hobart Oval. #TheDevilYouKnow
Posted by Tasmania Devils on Tuesday, 3 March 2020
Full time inclusion in the NAB League competition is an exciting progression in the rise of women’s football in Tasmania, going from only seven underage girls teams only four years ago, to now being included in the best underage competition in the country.
The squad is evenly balanced and Elder says selecting a final 22 will be a challenge each week.
“We have a lot of raw talent and a lot of depth. We are unsure who will be the potential stars, which is actually a really good thing,” he said.
A couple of players to look out for will be NAB AFLW Under 18 Academy Squad member Amy Prokopiec and overage players Tahlia Bortignon and Camilla Taylor, who will look to follow in the footsteps of former teammate Mia King who was drafted to the North Melbourne Tasmania Kangaroos last year.
King was last season’s Tasmania Devils’ Best and Fairest and was selected at pick 49 in the NAB AFLW draft.
The Launceston product made her debut for the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos in last week’s clash against the Gold Coast Suns.
One of King’s fellow North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos players is Tasmania Devils’ NAB League Girls head coach Emma Humphries, who is looking forward to the weekend’s double header.
“It’s a very exciting week for the girls. It’s the excitement leading into the game and then to play on the traditional home of footy at North Hobart Oval, not to mention before an AFLW game is very exciting.”
Humphries speaks ahead of #NABLeagueGirls season
Saturday will be a big day with our U18 Girls taking on the Oakleigh Chargers Football Club at North Hobart Oval ahead of the #AFLW clash between the Tasmanian Kangaroos and Adelaide Crows. Match-day coach Emma Humphries spoke to the media yesterday about the significance of the occasion and how she's finding her role. #TheDevilYouKnow #NABLeagueGirls
Posted by Tasmania Devils on Tuesday, 3 March 2020
The selected side will be announced later today (Thursday 5 March), with the leadership group to be announced to the playing group on Friday afternoon.
Match Details:
#NABLeagueGirls Round Two
Tasmania Devils v Oakleigh Chargers
Saturday 7 March – 12:30pm | North Hobart Oval