Photo: Solstice Digital
The Tasmania Devils girls will be looking to extend their winning streak and keep their finals hopes alive when they take on the Calder Cannons in round seven of the NAB League Girls. The game will be played as part of a huge triple-header at the Kingborough Twin Ovals, with the action kicking off at midday.
NAB League Girls, Tasmania Devils vs Calder Cannons: 12:00 PM
Tasmania Devils U/18 Boys vs Kingborough Seniors: 2:20 PM
Tasmania Devils U/16 Boys vs Kingborough Development league: 4:30 PM
This will be the first home game for the Devils in a month, as last week’s bye was preceded by a pair of away games in Victoria. That travel clearly didn’t bother them, as they won both of those games to move within touching distance of the top two in the country division. That success starts in the middle of the ground, where NAB AFLW Academy members Claire Ransom (19.2 disposals, 5.8 tackles per game) and Brooke Barwick (15.2 disposals, 5.8 tackles) have both further enhanced their reputations with excellent performances as part of a star-studded midfield group. That has helped Tasmania’s forwards to thrive, with Georgia Clark and Bellah Parker both enjoying the service from their on-ballers and booting eight goals apiece over the first five rounds.
The midfield battle will be crucial against a Cannons side that has been among the NAB League’s best around the stoppages. Their midfield rank second in the competition for clearances this season, and they lead all teams in tackles. Those efforts have helped them to a 4-1 record, with their only loss coming in round one to the second-placed Eastern Ranges. They will face a brutal contest in the middle of the ground against a Devils team that ranks second in the league for tackles, with plenty of players on both sides that won’t take a backwards step.
Team news
Tough inside midfielder Candice Belbin returns from injury for the Devils, and she will play a key role in the crucial midfield matchup. Defender Kelsie Hill is also back after an injury layoff, with Halle Whitehead and Meg Thompson both out of the side that last played a fortnight ago.
Key players
Tasmania Devils
Mackenzie Williams
Williams produced the best game of her young NAB League career in Tasmania’s last outing, collecting 13 disposals from the half-back line and distributing well. She gives the Devils plenty of drive out of defence, and her pinpoint kicking will be important once again in breaking the defensive lines of the Cannons. At just 15 years of age, Williams is a star of the future and already a key member of this Devils squad.
Meghan Gaffney
Already an established star at NAB League level, Gaffney has continued to shine for the Devils this season. Spending most of her time on the wing, where her blistering pace can be used to best effect, she is averaging 14 disposals and 2.4 inside 50s per game while giving her side plenty of run and carry. That has seen her named in Tasmania’s best players in three out of their five games so far this season, and it would be no surprise to see her there again this week.
Calder Cannons
Olivia Manfre
The Cannons are a relatively low-scoring team, averaging just 38 points per game, and that makes Manfre’s efforts this season even more important. She has kicked multiple goals in each of her last three games, giving her side a reliable target inside 50 and helping them to squeak out back-to-back wins by a goal or less. Add in her defensive work with six tackles per game, and she will pose a threat to the Devils backline whether in possession or not.
Reese Sutton
The Cannons co-captain is now in her third season at NAB League level, and she has taken a huge step forward in her performance this year. After averaging just 9.4 disposals per game in 2021, she is racking up 17.6 disposals, 8.8 tackles and 4.4 inside 50s this year to lead Calder’s midfield dominance. Cannons Talent Operations Lead Matthew Burton spoke pre-season about her efforts to improve her speed and endurance, and that work is paying off in spades.