How ‘tough players’ went from Tassie rivals to Roos milestone
They were once rivals in Launceston and Clarence grudge matches, but this weekend two Tassie stars will play their 50th AFLW games for the Roos in a grand final rematch. Plus, get the lowdown on every Tasmanian in the league this season.
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Mia King and Nicole Bresnehan were once rivals locking horns for Launceston and Clarence respectively in TSLW grand finals.
Neither could have imagined a few years later they’d both be playing their 50th AFLW games for North Melbourne in Sunday’s grand final rematch in Brisbane.
The synergy is appropriate for two of Tasmania’s most successful players, who have become crucial cogs in the Roos’ sustained AFLW success.
“We had a laugh today, how we played each other in some TSLW games. There was a few grand finals which fell each other’s way,” Bresnehan said.
“When we came up against Launceston we definitely circled that one because it was the big game for us. It was a healthy rivalry.
“The girls at North always joke about the classic Tassie footy things like playing on gravel ovals, which we obviously talk up a little bit when we know that’s not necessarily the case. “They like to call us the tough players, and we definitely talk that up too.”
Both players also took up football late after participating in individual sports - Bresnehan in swimming and King in gymnastics.
“I started when I was 19 at Clarence, and I definitely didn’t think I’d be playing at the elite level at all really,” Bresnehan said.
“I didn’t have huge aspirations to start, but I kept training and working hard and fell in love with footy.
“The doors kept opening up the harder I worked down in Tassie. I was fortunate enough in 2018 that North Melbouurne announced they’d have a partnership with Tasmania, and I was picked up in the draft.
“It can take milestones like this to reflect back on your journey, there’s a lot of people you feel like have helped you on the way.”
King, 23, re-signed with the Roos until the end of 2026 late last year and paid tribute to Bresnehan for helping her in her journey.
“It’s really exciting to reach 50 games and to do it alongside Flash (Bresnehan) as well, a fellow Tasmanian (is great),” she said.
“She’s been a great support for me from the beginning.
“Looking at the grand final last year, it was such an achievement to make it. we’ve got a lot of belief within the group.
“Coming from gymnastics which is pretty individual, I jumped at the chance to play with my mates.
“I was lucky enough football was taking off in Tasmania as I was coming through the ranks, so I was pretty fortunate.”
Bresnehan’s 50th lines up with King’s after an ankle injury cost her half of last season.
“I’ve had a few injuries the last couple of seasons, but it’s nice to share that 50th with another Tasmanian in Mia,” she said.
“We’ve played together and lived together, it’s special to share that with her. We’re more excited we get to play Brisbane in a grand final rematch.”
Bresnehan is excited by the better pathway and opportunities for young Tasmanian players.
Brooke Barwick (Bulldogs, pick four) and Georgia Clark (pick eight, Collinwood) were high picks in last year’s draft, while Tassie Devils teammate Mackenzie Ford was selected by Richmond with pick 43.
“Back then (before I was drafted) there weren’t the pathways there are now,” Bresnehan said. “It’s so exciting girls now are never going to stop playing footy. They’re not going to hit an age now, and potentially have to take up another sport.
“I’ve got teammates where that definitely happened to them during their junior footy days. Hearing the hard times they faced in terms of being turned away from the sport is disappointing to hear then, but now that clear pathway is exciting.
“There’s ome exteremly good talent in Tasmania. Having two picks in the top ten in Brooke Barwick and Georgia Clark, hopefully we see a lot of them this season.
“There’s a clearer pathway for women and girls to play at the elite level. As soon as we see investment in resources and funding, you see that in drafts.”
TASMANIANS IN THE AFLW
COLLINGWOOD
Georgia Clark (Glenorchy)
The 18-year-old was drafted at pick eight by the Pies after a stellar couple of seasons with the Devils.
The Glenorchy product is strong overhead and on the ground, and will give Collingwood a good target up forward.
ESSENDON
Daria Bannister (Launceston)
The 24-year-old is on the comeback trail from an ACL injury sustained last October, and returned to the field in match simulation against Hawthorn earlier this month.
“It’s obviously a lonely thing being on the sidelines doing rehab but everyone’s been incredible and I’m so happy to be back,” Bannister told Essendon’s web site.
“I was so nervous coming into today. It’s been a while, so to come out and kick a snag, everyone get around me like they did, it was an incredible feeling.
Ellyse Gamble (Burnie)
Gamble was a foundation Western Bulldogs player before moving to Essendon for their first season in the league.
The 26-year-old should reach 50 games barring injury this season and is one of the league’s most reliable intercept defenders.
Brooke Brown (Launceston)
Brown is entering her second year at the Bombers after three seasons with North Melbourne. A strong intercept rebounder, Brown’s pace as a former track and field athlete also causes opponents headaches.
FREMANTLE
Tunisha Kikoak (Old Scotch Collegians)
Kikoak will make her debut against Essendon on Saturday after she received an unexpected opportunity when the Dockers signed her as a replacement player after a pregnant Kiara Bowers announced she would miss the season.
The 19-year-old used the disappointment of initially missing out in the draft, despite strong form for the Tassie Devils, to make it onto a list.
“It was quite an emotional response from Tunisha, when speaking of her initial disappointment. There was a burn in the belly for her, after missing out in the AFLW Draft in 2023,” Fry said in a statement on the Fremantle website.“She continued working hard and focused on areas where she felt she needed to improve.
GOLD COAST
Ella Maurer (Old Scotch Collegians)
After being recruited from the Kangaroos, Maurer played a handful of games for the Suns in 2023, including an elimination final against Sydney.
The inside midfielder will be looking to add to her five AFLW appearances after debuting in 2022.
Elise Barwick (North Hobart)
Barwick joined the Suns as an injury replacement player in 2023 after a stint with South Adelaide.
The athletic midfielder-forward is also looking to add to her five AFLW appearances she made in her debut season.
GWS GIANTS
Madison Brazendale (Launceston)
The 21-year-old took out the club’s Rising Star award in her first year at the Giants in 2022, and has played 13 games for the club.
The midfielder is renowned as a strong each way runner with defensive attributes to her game.
Meghan Gaffney (Ulverstone)
The hard-running small forward missed all of last season with an ACL injury after making her debut in 2022.
She missed out in the 2021 draft but was picked up by the Giants at no.66 the following year.
Gaffney joined Brazendale in signing a one-year extension with the club earlier this month.
Claire Ransom (North Hobart)
Ransom was picked up by the Giants in 2023’s delisted free agency period after she played two games for Gold Coast in her first two seasons.
She was named in the 2021 and 2022 NAB League teams of the year, and the midfielder can also play on the wing or up forward.
The 20-year-old left the Suns after losing her passion for the game, but is ready to explode for the Giants this year.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Nicole Bresnehan (Clarence)
The Roos co-vice captain is hoping for more game time this year after an ankle injury in round four halted her progress last season.
She returned in round ten and was a strong factor in North Melbourne advancing to the grand final, where they lost to this Sunday’s round one opponents Brisbane.
Bresnehan and fellow Tasmanian Mia King will play their 50th games against the Lions.
Mia King (Launceston)
The former gymnast debuted in 2020 and has fast become a cult hero at Arden St.
The tough-as-nails midfielder re-signed with the Roos until the end of 2026 late last year, and is a key cog in their quest to go one better this year.
PORT ADELAIDE
Lily Johnson (Latrobe/Devonport)
The Power nabbed Johnson with their final pick in the 2022 Draft after she made the move to the SANFL with West Adelaide.
Johnson has played five games but struggled to break into the team in 2023. The goalkicker will be looking for more opportunities this year.
RICHMOND
Meagan Kiely (Burnie)
The former North Melbourne VFLW captain was drafted by the Tigers in 2021. She was a train-on player with the Roos and Giants before making Richmond’s AFLW list.
She has played roles up forward and a defensive midfielder during her time at Arden St.
Mackenzie Ford (Kingborough/Cygnet)
Ford was one of three Tassie Devils picked up in December’s draft at no.43, alongside Georgia Clark (eight) and Brooke Barwick (four).
Known her toughness around the contest, the 19-year-old is also quick and earned her chance after big games for the Allies at the national championships.
“At the Draft Combine they (Richmond) said they loved the style of game I play. So I thought I didn’t have to change anything, just improve on what I do,” she told The Mercury after the Draft.
“Midfield is my preferred position, but a run forward would be really good to develop that part of my game a bit more.
“I’m so happy for Brooke and Georgia, they’ve worked so hard for it as well.”
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Ellie Gavalas (Bulldogs AFLW)
Gavalas returns to where her elite career began after she was dropped by the Kangaroos for the back end of their campaign last year.
She will enter this campaign with a point to prove, and will give the rebuilding Bulldogs an experienced head in the midfield.
Brooke Barwick (Glenorchy/Claremont)
Barwick was taken at no.4 by the Bulldogs and despite not playing since tearing her ACL prior to her draft year, has impressed enough to be named to debut against GWS in Canberra on Saturday.
“I’m just so happy for her,” her father Peter told The Mercury this week.
“The whole family is extremely proud, but we’re happier for her more than anything. The work that she’s had to put in after missing nearly two full seasons is enormous. She’s worked really hard to debut in round one.”
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