Perri King kicks Tasmania’s first goal in NAB League as side responds from tough debut

The state’s under-18 girls have proven they can mix it on the national stage with a determined effort against the Eastern Ranges in Kilsyth.

Charlie Lovell tackles Oakleigh’s Alice Mayne last week. Lovell had a team-high eight tackles against Eastern Ranges Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

GLENORCHY’S Perri King will go down in the history books as the Devils girl’s first ever goalkicker after breaking the side’s NAB League duck this afternoon.

A week after being humbled by 102 points in its competition opener and kicking only two behinds, Tasmania put in a much improved effort on the road against Eastern Ranges.

The Devils trailed by a single point at quarter time before being overpowered 10.6.66 to 1.3.9 but the side left Kilsyth with their heads held high.

King, a New Norfolk product, was the ice breaker when she cooly slotted the historic first goal on the run from 25m at the 15 minute mark of the first term, much to the excitement of her teammates.

Perri King (right) kicked the Devils’ first goal in the NAB League competition Picture: PATRICK GEE

And while the Ranges gradually pulled away as the contest wore on, AFL Tasmania female talent manager Leigh Elder couldn’t have been prouder of the improvement shown from their debut.

“We were only a point behind at quarter time, there was a strong breeze to be fair so we had that in the first and third quarters,” Elder said.

“But the endeavour was fantastic. What we saw is we were happy to be first to the ball rather than be reactive, but our defensive pressure was pretty good.

“There is still a bit to learn about the game, the amount of experience that the Victorian teams have compared to us, we are talking an average of 30-plus games against 120-plus.

“That takes a fair bit to catch up on but we can compete at the level, there is no doubt about that and that’s what we are feeling this week.”

Meghan Gaffney collected a team-high 11 disposals, King also had double figures to go with the goal while the defensive workrate of Charlie Lovell and Camilla Taylor was highlighted by a combined 15 tackles.

“She has improved her kicking out of sight, Perri King, she found herself in a fair bit of space, about 25m out and was pretty comfortable taking the shot on the run,” Elder said.

“It went straight through the middle so that was a nice celebration.

“We actually should’ve kicked two goals prior to that, so it was a bit of relief.”