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Tasmania Devils will host the 2024 VFLW premiers at North Hobart on Saturday

After going down to Port Melbourne on Saturday, Tassie is readying itself for their biggest test yet. One of the key players points out where her side needs to improve.

Tasmania Devils will look to bounce back from their loss to Port Melbourne. Picture: Linda Higginson
Tasmania Devils will look to bounce back from their loss to Port Melbourne. Picture: Linda Higginson

The Devils might have gone down by 45 points to Port Melbourne on Saturday but the spirits remain high as they prepare for another tough clash against the 2024 VFLW premiers.

It was a tough second hit out for Tasmania with an even bigger challenge at North Hobart Oval on Saturday but Devils player Grace White said her side knows what they need to work on.

“It was a really good game, obviously a challenge for us coming against one of the good VFLW sides,” White said.

“But I think we know what we need to work on, just that transition play and hitting those short kicks, which they (Port Melbourne) did really well.

“It shows where we need to go to play VFLW and play these teams week in, week out and shows our training level needs to improve to get to that level.”

Tasmania Devils were completely dominated around the ground against Port Melbourne. Picture: Linda Higginson
Tasmania Devils were completely dominated around the ground against Port Melbourne. Picture: Linda Higginson

The Devils struggled to hit the scoreboard throughout the first half against Port Melbourne but found some connectivity in the second half.

White said it fills the players with a sense of hunger to improve going forward.

“I think having a lot of the younger players, having that opportunity on the weekend once they have those games under their belt,” White said.

“They’re just going to strive our level of players.

“I expect as we play more footy we’ll get better and once we get to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and use that for our and I think that will help.”

A big improvement is expected by the players as they take on the 2024 VFLW premiers as they look to focus on the areas they side struggled with in Saturday’s loss.

“So definitely transitioning out of our back line, probably they did it really well, just hitting those short kicks, getting it in long,” White said.

“Whereas we probably just went back to the play, so knowing, looking wide and taking more risks as well.

“Our tackle pressure has been really good, I know against Norwood we had a lot more tackles than them so that obviously our strength through our team.

“Our mids just kept going the whole game.”

The women kick off at North Hobart Oval on Saturday against North Melbourne at 12pm with the men kicking off at 2pm against Frankston.

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/tasmania-devils-will-host-the-2024-vflw-premiers-at-north-hobart-on-saturday/news-story/a37c4bf5e7b0acc01e56bbcd601606e9