Clarence captain says the Roos are focused on fun first, premiership second in TSLW season

At one stage they did not even think they’d get to play this year so the State League women’s players are rapt to get back on the park.

TSL players Grace Mitchell from Clarence and Alice Raspin from Glenorchy. Picture: Zak Simmonds

REIGNING TSLW champion Clarence says the COVID-condensed season is about having fun when the women’s State League competition kicks off on July 18.

The Roos toppled raging premiership favourite Launceston in last year’s grand final, and Clarence captain Grace Mitchell kicked two goals in the three-point nailbiter.

Mitchell, and Glenorchy defender Alice Raspin, are pumped about AFL Tasmania’s decision to conduct a TSLW season.

“We’re definitely excited – it has given us something to look forward to and we can’t wait to get out there again,” Mitchell said.

“Under the current circumstances, the goal is just to have fun.

“We didn’t even think we’d have a season so we are just happy to be out there.”

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Rachel Archer hugging teammate Melanie Wise after Clarence won the 2019 grand final. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Clarence maintained a strong list despite the coronavirus separation.

“We’ve only lost three or four players but we’ve got a couple of newbies as well,” Mitchell said

TSLW premiers in 2018, Glenorchy has been honing its craft for three weeks.

“The team is coming together really well,” Raspin said.

“We’ve got quite a young group because we lost some of our older girls this year.

“We are gelling really nicely and we’ve got some really athletic young girls coming up, so it should be a good season.”

Clarence celebrate their grand final win. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Despite the longest pre-season in football history, Raspin said the Magpies were “really motivated”.

“We had hoped with the longer season we’d see how it goes for the first few rounds, but with the shortened season we’re excited to get out there and be competitive,” she said.

A former netballer, Raspin is brand new to footy.

“I’ve never played football before. I played at a competitive level in netball and then got picked up by Glenorchy to come and play footy,” she said.