Magpies ace Sarah Skinner was a runaway winner of the TSLW’s best and fairest award
The best women’s player in Tasmania hopes the AFLW will come calling – but not before she helps Glenorchy win a TSLW grand final.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Glenorchy captain says Pies can win the TSLW grand final if they get the chemistry right
- TSL's top goal kicker takes aim at State League premiership
SHE’S the best women’s player in Tasmania this year and TSLW Best and Fairest Medal winner Sarah Skinner was not concerned about her strong prospects of playing AFLW in the near future – all of her focus is on doing her best for Glenorchy against Launceston in the grand final at UTAS Stadium.
Skinner, 21, claimed the medal with 19 votes as a runaway winner, ahead of Clarence vice-captain Nicole Bresnehan on 13 votes and Launceston ace Darian Bannister 10.
“It’s a real honour, knowing who has won it in the past, and to have my name up there with them is very rewarding,” Skinner said.
“I felt like I played well and put my best foot forward.
“When the votes were announced from rounds one to seven it was even, and I thought the likes of Mia King or Daria Bannister or Nicole Bresnehan would have come home strong.”
Also the TSLW’s leading goal kicker, Skinner was overlooked in the recent AFLW Draft but will continue to get noticed.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed,” she said.
“I’ve put my best foot forward, and I’ve improved on everything they [recruiters] wanted me to improve, and just because it didn’t happen I’ve got to keep going and try to make it happen in the future.”
Skinner and Blues star Bannister are destined to go head-to-head in the midfield at stages in the grand final.
“They are stacked full of good players,” Skinner said.
“The obvious ones are Mia King and Daria Bannister, but they’ve also got Brooke Brown, who’s just kicked five, and Jennifer Guy out of the middle – there’s too many to name.
“You play football to win grand finals, so if we could win that would be the ultimate prize.”
THE FINAL 5 ROUNDS
ROUND 8
Launceston 3.4.22 Glenorchy 5.2.32
3. Sarah Skinner (Glenorchy)
2. Zoie Crawford (Glenorchy)
1. Jemma Webster (Glenorchy)
ROUND 9
Glenorchy 11.16.82 Tigers 1.0.6
3. Sarah Skinner (Glenorchy)
2. Priscilla Odwogo (Tigers)
1. Elise Barwick (Glenorchy)
Clarence 6.4.40 North Launceston 3.1.19
3. Mel Wise (Clarence)
2. Maggie Cuthbertson (North Launceston)
1. Amy Prokopiec (Clarence)
ROUND 10
Tigers 0.1.1 Clarence 13.6.84
3. Jessie Williams (Clarence)
2. Amy Edmand (Clarence)
1. Jacinta Limbrick (Clarence)
ROUND 11
Clarence 2.3.15 Launceston 3.7.25
3. Dearne Taylor (Launceston)
2. Nicole Bresnehan (Clarence)
1. Daria Bannister (Launceston)
Tigers 1.1.7 North Launceston 6.4.40
3. Bonnie Farrell (North Launceston)
2. Zoe Bourne (North Launceston)
1. Priscilla Odwogo (Tigers)
ROUND 12
North Launceston 0.2.2 Glenorchy 8.17.65
3. Laura Negri (Glenorchy)
2. Sarah Skinner (Glenorchy)
1. Ella Maurer (North Launceston)
FINAL LEADERBOARD
19. Sarah Skinner (Glenorchy)
13. Nicole Bresnehan (Clarence)
10. Daria Bannister (Launceston)
7. Maggie Cuthbertson (North Launceston)
6. Jessie Williams (Clarence)
6. Priscilla Odwogo (Tigers)
6. Mia King (Launceston)
Tassie draft hopeful’s massive shoes to fill
There are literally no footy shoes in his home state big enough for gun young ruckman Oliver Dean but, despite that, he is ready to take the big step into the AFL at next month’s draft.
The support network driving Clark’s AFLW dream
Tasmania’s Georgia Clark has taken the first footsteps into her AFLW career in recent weeks including a debut. She reveals what’s been key in the journey.