Tasmania’s AFLW players have taken their game to a new level

Tasmania’s “Fab Four” has flourished in the AFLW this season by relocating to Melbourne to be part of the Kangaroos’ full squad, says Kanga coach Darren Crocker.

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TASMANIA’S “Fab Four” has flourished in the AFLW this season by relocating to Melbourne to be part of the Kangaroos’ full squad, says Kanga coach Darren Crocker.

Mia King, Daria Bannister, Nicole Bresnehan and rookie Brooke Brown were big winners from moving to Victoria in November ahead of the fifth AFLW season.

King has been a star in North Melbourne’s onball group, Bannister added power up forward, Bresnehan has developed her tactical nous and run in defence, while Brown (ruck) earned a debut in her first season.

They joined fellow-Tasmanians, soccer convert Ellie Gavalas and key defender Britt Gibson (injured) at Arden Street and as the North Melbourne Tasmania Kangaroos prepare to play Western Bulldogs in a twilight clash at North Hobart today, Crocker could not be more impressed with his locals.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 05: Daria Bannister of the Kangaroos kicks a goal during the round six AFLW match between the Richmond Tigers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at The Swinburne Centre on March 05, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

“The biggest thing for them has been bringing them to Melbourne and getting them into the program here,” Crocker said.

“That’s not to say they weren’t getting good coaching in Tasmania but it was just difficult for them doing Zoom meetings and training as a group of four or five.

“To be with the full squad, the Tassie girls have really embraced and enjoyed it and from that there has been really good improvement.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 05: Daria Bannister of the Kangaroos celebrates after scoring a goal during the round six AFLW match between the Richmond Tigers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at The Swinburne Centre on March 05, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

After back-to-back losses to Melbourne and Collingwood, North Melbourne got back on track with a win over Carlton at UTas Stadium two weeks ago and last week accounted for Richmond.

With three rounds remaining, the Bulldogs are seventh on the ladder, but on the same points as North Melbourne (fifth) and Melbourne (six), with the AFLW finals moving to a top six system this season.

Crocker said the Kangaroos relished playing in their home-away-from-home.

“In my limited exposure, the trip down to Launceston a couple of weeks ago was something the girls really loved,” he said.

“Anytime they can get together and do a little bit of bonding and have a game of footy, the girls really look forward to it.

“We’ve got so many Tassie girls in our squad, and that helps with the enthusiasm for going to Tassie, our home away from home, which is great.”

Support cast will determine Roos’ AFLW finals fate

Adam Smith

March 11, 2021

JASMINE Garner might be one of the AFLW’s bona fide superstars but it will be the helping hand from North Melbourne teammates which will spear the Roos into this year’s finals.

Last year’s league players’ MVP, Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year and club best and fairest has arguably taken her game to another level in the past fortnight to help the Roos get back on track.

After a two match skid with losses to Melbourne and Collingwood, North has strung together back-to-back victories to solidify fifth spot on the ladder with three rounds remaining.

Garner has been instrumental in the turnaround against Carlton (career high 32 disposals) and Richmond (22), and will again be looking to assert her dominance when the club hosts the Western Bulldogs at North Hobart Oval on Saturday.

Jasmine Garner kicks downfield during the round five AFLW match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Carlton Blues at UTAS Stadium on February 27. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

However while a major factor in North’s finals hopes, it will be the support crew which will ultimately determine the side’s fate.

“As a team we are starting to play some good footy and as individuals we can build on our game and hopefully we keep that momentum going into these last few rounds,” Garner said.

“I don’t think too much about that sort of stuff [her standing in the game] but if I can play some good footy and that means it is going to help the team out, then I guess that is great.

“We have a lot of individuals that are starting to play some good footy … if we can get more of that it will mean more wins.”

The AFLW ladder is tightening up, with the Roos only separated from Melbourne and the Dogs due to a superior percentage.

And with clashes against Brisbane and Fremantle — both above North on the table — to close out the campaign, if the Roos can lock down a finals spot they will have well and truly earned it.

Jasmine Garner has continued to elevate her game for the Kangaroos after a stellar 2020 season. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“We went through a bit of a rough patch where we lost two in a row and probably weren’t playing the brand of footy we can, but the last couple of weeks have been pretty good.

“Hopefully we can continue to build on that leading into the next few weeks with a few tough games ahead.

“The run home you are pretty much going to have to win all your games, you can see the top six is pretty tight at the moment and I think the top eight or nine could also flip around and other teams jump into the finals.”

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