North Melbourne wants adequate compensation for AFLW clubs if they lose Tasmanian players to the Devils

North Melbourne coach Darren Crocker says the AFL must adequately compensate AFLW clubs for the loss of their Tasmanian players when the Devils join in 2027.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Nicole Bresnehan of the Kangaroos and Keeley Skepper of the Blues compete for the ball during the 2024 AFLW Round 05 match between the Carlton Blues and the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos at IKON Park on September 25, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

North Melbourne coach Darren Crocker says the AFL must adequately compensate AFLW clubs for the loss of their Tasmanian players when the Devils join the competition in 2027.

The Devils men are scheduled to join the AFL in 2028 but the Tasmanian club is likely to launch its women’s team a year earlier, as mooted by league boss Andrew Dillon on a visit to Hobart in June.

Two of North Melbourne’s star Roos are Tasmanian duo, defender Nicole Bresnehan, and fierce onballer Mia King, players Crocker would not want to lose to the Devils.

Tasmanians MIa King and NIcole Bresnehan will play their 50th AFLW games with North Melbourne this weekend. Picture: Nathan John/NMFC

“At the end of the day it is what it is, I just hope the AFL is fair and reasonable with any compensation in relation to the loss of players,” Crocker said.

“We’ve obviously made Tassie our home away from home and feel like we’ve given players an opportunity to come over and further their careers and develop in our AFLW program.

“If they felt the need to go home, or wanted to go home, just as long as the right level of compensation is there for those types of players.”

Crocker has made North Melbourne a powerhouse of the AFLW and believes Arden Street is a home that would be hard to leave.

“We will back our environment in _ I think we run a really good program,” he said.

“The girls are really well-connected and it’s a really good environment.

“That decision [leaving] will be a tough one for anyone who gets approached and is contemplating doing that.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 05: Mia King of the Kangaroos marks the ball during the round six AFLW match between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Western Bulldogs at Arden Street Ground, on October 05, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

North Melbourne’s “home” game against the Sydney Swans at North Hobart Oval on Sunday will suit the physical style of the Kangaroos but Crocker said Sydney would also like the smaller battlefield.

“We’ve got the motto ‘anywhere, anytime, any ground’,” he said.

“So the size of the ground, a day game or a night game, wet or dry conditions, we’d like to think we can adapt our game-style to suit.

“It will be the same with North Hobart.

“We understand it’s a small ground, and we understand Sydney play on a smaller ground up there.

“So they may be a little more used to the confined spaces but I’m sure our players will be able to adapt to what North Hobart has for us.”

Crocker confirmed that North Melbourne’s veteran defender Emma Carney, who injured a hamstring in the first five minutes against Richmond in Launceston, will not be available to return until the first round of finals.