Forward shift begins well for Devils draft hopeful in win

Georgia Clark has long been on the radar, but a Tasmania Devils teammate could emerge as another AFLW draft hopeful after a starring role in Saturday’s win over the Giants.

Tasmania Devils vs GWS at University of Tasmania Stadium, Saturday 18th March Grace White of Tasmania Devils. Picture: Linda Higginson / AFL Tasmania

HER forward line partner Georgia Clark is a noted gun, but Tasmania Devils coach Jodie Clifford believes AFLW scouts should keep a close eye on Grace White after she starred in Saturday’s 8.14 (62) to 7.6 (48) win over GWS at UTAS Stadium.

The round one victory was the ideal start to Clifford’s helm at the Coates Talent League outfit after she was an assistant the past few seasons.

AFL Academy talent Clark was dynamic across half forward and White from the goal square as they booted two goals apiece.

It was a promising display from White given she suffered an ACL injury playing for North Hobart as a 15-year-old, and returned to play a couple of games in defence for the Devils last year.

But her strong overhead mark and kicking skills means she has been moved up forward. With fellow tall target Bella Parker expected to return for their next game, the Devils attack could be tough to contain.

“That would be the dream (to get picked in the AFLW Draft),” White said.

“I’ve had an ACL injury in the past and this is my first real full season. It should be a good year but we have to play a lot of football before that (draft).

“It took a while to get my confidence back from that (injury), but it’s good to see the hard work paying off.

“Naturally I’ve got a good mark, but it’s about taking opportunities which I probably should have done better today.

“I need to take my time with set shots and go through the routine and get it right.”

Clifford was rapt with her team’s application, with the Devils tackling pressure strong for most of the match.

Maggie Chen was also strong, as was captain Candice Belbin in the midfield.

Only wayward goalkicking kept the Giants in the game, who closed to within two goals in the third term before the Devils steadied.

Asked if White is a draft hope, Clifford said: “100 per cent.”

“Grace has played a lot of her footy down back, but this year we want her to play forward and out of the square.

Georgia Clark in action for Tasmania against GWS on Saturday. Picture: Linda Higginson / AFL Tasmania

“She’s a great mark and naturally she’s a good kick. We have that added bonus if we need someone down back we have a swing player we can move there.

“They (Clark and White) are beautiful contested bail out marks for us. It’s definitely something we’ve put a lot of work into.

“Come next game hopefully we add Bella Parker into the mix as well. We’ll be very hard to defend with our forward line, becaue we have three strong players and the connection is phenomenal.”

White said she had learned plenty from training alongside Clark week in, week out.

“It’s just her commitment to training, and how she plays is how I want to play. Taking those marks and she’s always tackling and doing everything 100 per cent,” she said.

“She’d be one of the best talents in the country, it’s good to have those girls around so we push ourselves to be as good as them.”

TASMANIA DEVILS 1.5 5.9 6.13 8.14 (62) def GWS 2.1 3.1 5.2 7.6 (48)

Devils goalkickers: Grace White 2, Georgia Clark 2, Ava Read 2, Maggie Chen, Tunisha Kikoak