Leading ‘The Map’ an honour for former AFLW gun

She’s played at the highest level, but captaining her state in her first senior game in ‘The Map’ will be a special moment for Devonport gun Sarah Skinner.

Mitch Brouwer and Sarah Skinner will play for Tasmania against Norwood on Sunday. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Sarah Skinner has racked up a solid CV, and being named Tasmania captain in her first outing will be another special moment in Sunday’s clash against Norwood at Kingston Twin Ovals.

Skinner played nine AFLW games for Sydney and the Bulldogs across 2022 and 2023, and also dominated the VFL with the Bulldogs before returning to the north-west coast to play for Devonport this year.

The 25-year-old will be one of the Devils’ key players in the midfield, and is excited by the extra representative opportunities players are receiving before the state’s VFLW and AFLW teams are introduced.

“I’m really excited to pull on the map for the first time in the senior academy,” she said. It’s really important, because it’s just the beginning for us with the AFL license being granted and with the pathway for the AFLW and the VFLW we can only go up from here.”

Skinner said the players’ ability to train more as part of the newly-formed academy will help, but said the continuity of roster Norwood enjoys will provide a challenge.

“It’s going to be a good learning opportunity for us. We’ve only come together the last few months or so, and they’ve been training together for ages,” she said.

Tasmania’s Sarah Skinner, Norwood’s Stephanie Simmonds, Tasmania’s Mitch Brouwer Tasmania and Norwood’s Jack Heard before Sunday’s clash at Kingston Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“It will be good paying a team that’s very connected and learn off that.”

Kingborough on-baller Mitch Brouwer is also preparing for his debut Tasmania senior appearance in the men’s clash.

The Redlegs, who played in last year’s SANFL grand final, feature plenty of Tasmanian talent on their roster.

“I think it will be a great opportunity for us players, and also the Tassie fans to come out in big numbers and make a statement,” he said.

“SA is a very good football state, all their SANFL teams are very professional and it gives us a good chance to compare ourselves to them.

“I’m just keen to represent my family and friends and I’ve finally been able to crack into the team.

“There’s a few familiar faces in there, we know a bit about a few of their players and it’s a good challenge to go up against some of our own.”

Norwood captain Jack Heard said his Tasmanian-born teammates haven’t missed the chance to spruik their home state.

“Obviously there’s a big Tassie contingent at Norwood and I think we have 11 playing for us tomorrow,” he said.

“For them to have us in their state it’s exciting to start our trial match period here.

“Quite a few of the boys know the guys we’re playing against tomorrow. For them to show off their home state the’re super proud of where they come from.

“They’re pretty parochial and tell us the air is a bit fresher down here and the grass a bit greener.

“We’re here to do a job, but we can also see the bigger picture with what the AFL is doing down here.”

The women’s match begins at 12pm and the men at 2.15pm.