Devils given valuable ‘reality check’ in Port defeat
The toughest lessons are often the most valuable, and that’s the viewpoint Tasmania Devils’ women are taking after they were outclassed by Port Melbourne at UTAS Stadium on Saturday.
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Upbeat Tasmania skipper Sarah Skinner says Saturday’s 45-point loss to Port Melbourne can be a valuable “reality check” after the visitors exposed areas to address at UTAS Stadium on Saturday.
Skinner, who has played nine AFLW games, is back home playing for Devonport this year and was one of the Devils’ best.
Fresh from a first women’s senior Devils win in 12 years against Norwood a fortnight ago, the visitors’ work at the contest, two-way running, swift transition and more efficient entries inside 50 proved too much to handle in the 10.9 (69) to 3.6 (24) defeat.
Port exerted their authority in the first ten minutes but couldn’t translate it to the scoreboard after kicking 1.5 and keeping the Devils scoreless in the first quarter.
But three goals in the second and third quarters allowed them to build a 36-point lead at the final change.
Emily Mifsud kicked two goals for the Devils, one in the second quarter and the other in the fourth term, while skipper Skinner booted their third late in the third term.
With the Devils anticipated to join the VFLW from next year, Skinner said the clash against the traditionally strong VFL outfit has given them a tangible taste of what to expect, and where they need improvement.
“It’s good to play against sides that pull you apart like that, it’s kind of a reality check,” Skinner said.
“We try and try, but sometimes we try a bit too hard. There’s too many people going for the ball carrier, and that’s how they look like they’ve got runners streaming off.
“I think they’ve got that synergy from playing together for so many years and they’ve been very strong in the VFL for a few years now. They really spread well and use each other well across the ground.
“It’s a really good test of where we need to get to, with us obviously us coming in (VFLW) next year. I don’t doubt our effort and intensity, I just think that sometimes they were a bit smarter, and they know each other a bit better.
“We’ve got a lot to go back and review and work on. But it’s kind of exciting knowing we actually had some really good passages of play today against a top quality VFL side.”
Devils coach Jodie Clifford said the match would be a valuable learning experience for her squad.
“There’s some positives we can take away. Port Melbourne are well drilled and you can see they can execute a game plan really well,” Clifford said.
“The big difference was when they had the ball they used the ball really well and we lacked a bit of that. It’s a good thing for us to see, it gives us some things to work on.
“I thought our inside 50s were better in the second half, it was something we really focused on we wanted to get deeper forward entries.
“We’re all about how we continue to build and the learning we take out of these games is really important.
“We were just getting sucked into where the ball was and that left the outside open for them to run, which really played into their hands.”
Skinner played eight AFLW games for Sydney in 2022 and one for the Bulldogs in 2023.
A return to the big time isn’t front of mind for the 25-year-old, and she is confident the bulk of Tasmania’s VFLW squad played on Saturday.
“We’d like to have the majority of the payers here today fill that VFLW side,” she said.
“With the foundation set this year, it would be great if we could keep the same group together and keep working on it.
“You never say no (to an AFLW return) but at this point in time I just want to work really hard and play the best footy I can.
“Whatever opportunities that gives me I’ll take it with both hands. It’s not the be all and end all for me to make AFLW, but you always put your best foot forward.”
LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM DEFEAT
The mantra for the Tasmania Devils’ women’s side is ‘if you want to be the best, you have to play the best’.
It’s why coach Jodie Clifford is bullish that the lessons learned from Saturday’s 45-point loss to Port Melbourne will only accelerate their growth.
The Devils are due to enter the VFLW next year and Clifford knows throwing her players into the deep end against quality opposition is the best way for the squad to develop, and get an accurate gauge of what to improve.
Port Melbourne finished sixth in the VFLW last season and won a final. Their contest work and hard running proved tough to contain for the hosts in the 10.9 (69) to 3.6 (24) loss, particularly given the match was 16-a-side on the big UTAS Stadium surface.
The Devils beat Norwood by two points in their first outing a fortnight ago, but Saturday gave them a solid indication of the level required next year.
“We knew when we saw the draw we were playing some really strong teams and we want that,” she said.
“We want to be playing against teams that challenge us, and make us look at a different way to play.
“It’s a real positive we can go back and look at this vision. We’ve already talked about some of the things they (Port) do really well and the girls identified that.”
Port coach Tom Chitsos said the arrangement to expand the Devils’ representative program to more games, including VFLW and SANFL clubs, is a win-win situation.
“We don’t travel in season so to travel interstate and play a high quality opponent is great for us, and hopefully it’s beneficial for Tassie as well,” he said.
“It’s fantastic they’re coming on board (into the VFLW).
Kaitlyn O’Keefe was strong up forward for Port with three goals, while Paris Gebel-Lamb (two goals) was strong on club debut.
Lauren Caruso and Elosie Ashley-Cooper also stood out in the midfield for the visitors.
Clifford praised her defence for how well they held up under pressure early, but the fitness of the visitors eventually proved too much late.
“Georgia Hill was really good down back, and also Gemma Webster when she went through midfield and Liv Smith when she went out onto the wing,” Clifford said.
“Grace White played some ruck and forward and back, so her versatility was good. Kelsie Hill attacked the ball really well, and we were pleased with the run she gave us.”
The Devils women play North Melbourne at North Hobart Oval on Saturday, March 22.
PORT MELBOURNE 1.5 4.8 7.8 10.9 (69) def TASSIE DEVILS 0.0 1.1 2.2 3.6 (24)
Goals: Port Melbourne - Kaitlyn O’Keefe 3, Paris Gebel-Lamb 2, Isabella Robson, Lauren Caruso, Nicola Davidson, Jordan Mifsud, Alexandra Calogero; Devils - Emily Mifsud 2, Sarah Skinner
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