Tasmanian Devils girls get tough lesson at school of hard knocks on NAB League debut
It was a 102-point beating in the Devils girls’ first game. See why the coach couldn’t care less about the score.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
IT was a baptism of fire for the Tasmanian girls in the NAB League at North Hobart Oval on Saturday and the lessons learned from a hammering by the Oakleigh Chargers will be the first step in the development of the team, said coach Jodi Clifford.
The Devils went goalless in their historic debut in the Victorian-based competition for elite under-18 players, the Chargers winning 16.8 (104) to 0.2 (2).
Clifford, standing in for Emma Humphries, who was in AFLW duties with North Melbourne in the match that followed, said that did not matter – the evolution of the Devils was a marathon not a sprint.
“It doesn’t mean anything to us at all – the scoreboard is not what we are interested in,” Clifford said.
“We knew our first game was going to be a learning experience for our girls.
“We are really proud of them because every quarter we asked them to do something with what they had learned from the previous quarter.
“The way the girls responded was great.”
Big Devil Camilla Taylor worked tirelessly in the ruck, 16-year-old Aspen Auton kicked Tasmania’s entire score, while Jemma Webster, Aprille Crooks, Zoe Bourne and Ella Maurer were among Tasmania’s leading ball-winners.
MORE NEWS:
ROOS CAUGHT IN TASSIE-AFL BATTLE
TRENDY TASMANIANS JUMP ON NEW BLUNDSTONES
SAILING: DERWENT HUNTER COMES HOME
The stand-out lesson was the ferocity of the Chargers and the level of the NAB league.
“The physicality of the game stood out for our girls because we are nowhere near as big,” Clifford said.
“A lot of these girls are coming out of junior ranks where they are the best players and have got plenty of time to execute their skills, and now they’ve stepped up a level in competition.
“We knew it was going to be fast-paced and they would be under the pump.
“Learning how to use our bodies to our advantage will be a big focus as we go into preparations for next week.”
james.bresnehan@news.com.au
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.