Kangaroos star Mia King will thrive in indigenous round at home ground in Launceston

It is the perfect storm for Tasmanian AFLW star Mia King — first game on home soil for 2021, first in her home town, and she gets to wear North Melbourne’s indigenous jumper. LATEST >>

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IT is the perfect storm for Tasmanian AFLW star Mia King — first game on home soil for 2021, first in her home town, and she gets to wear North Melbourne’s indigenous jumper.

To win against Carlton and snap a two-game losing streak at Launceston’s UTas Stadium tomorrow night would be icing on the cake.

The AFLW indigenous round this weekend means a lot to many, but for 19-year-old King, it is close to her heart.

“My people are Jaowyn mob from Northern Territory but I’m from Launceston,” King said.

“It’s a very special week — the first time women have had the indigenous round.

“It’s a week to reflect on the past and how far our country has come.

“To have a home game, the indigenous round, and get a win, it would be a dream come true.

“No matter what the result, I’ll be really happy that we got to play at home and represent the Aboriginal people as well.”

AFLW North player Mia King with the Kangaroos indigenous jumper. It's the first time there's been a round to celebrate indigenous culture in the AFLW. Please put a hold on the photo as it will run in Friday paper with a story. Picture: Tim Carrafa

King has been based in Melbourne since November and works in CBD cafe.

After the 2020 AFLW season was cut short, King credits a “bonus” season in the TSLW, when the VFL women’s competition did not get off the ground in 2020 due to the pandemic, as an accelerator for her development.

“I played [for North Melbourne] last year so I was new to the game and it was like the first season and I was feeling my way,” she said.

“Having that extra TSLW season, whereas the VFL girls didn’t get to play because of Covid, helped build up my confidence.

AFLW North players L to R Mia King and Kaitlyn Ashmore with the Kangaroos indigenous jumper. It's the first time there's been a round to celebrate indigenous culture in the AFLW. Please put a hold on the photo as it will run in Friday paper with a story. Picture: Tim Carrafa

“Being able to train with the whole team has really helped my confidence out on the ground.”

Touted as a premiership favourite, North Melbourne started strongly but lost its past two games to Melbourne and Collingwood.

Mia King of the Kangaroos in action during the 2021 AFLW Round 04 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Collingwood Magpies at Marvel Stadium on February 20, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“People are saying we’ve had a couple of hiccups and we’re not playing our best,” King said.

“We have come up against two really good teams, both flag contenders, and it has shown us what we still need to work on and there’s a lot more that we can do to improve our game.

“We can tidy up what we need to and focus on our strengths.”

North Melbourne plays Carlton at UTas Stadium at 7.10pm