Tasmania’s best women’s football players are ready for their VFLW challenge with the Devils in 2026

How the state academy series prepared Tasmania’s top-tier women’s players for the Devils VFLW campaign in 2026. What coach Jodie Clifford said.

Tasmanian defender Halle Whitehead only has eyes for the ball against North Melbourne at North Hobart Oval. Picture Linda Higginson

Tasmania women’s coach Jodie Clifford believes the state senior academy series had achieved its goal as a “stepping stone” for the state’s best into the VFLW in 2026.

The five-match campaign against saw Tasmania’s elite women pit their skills against SANFL club Norwood, VFL clubs Port Melbourne and North Melbourne, and representative teams from Queensland and AFL Sydney-AFL Canberra over the past four months.

The women finished their series with a loss to Sydney-Canberra in a four-point thriller at North Hobart Oval on Saturday.

Clifford said the development of her team over the carnival had been exemplary.

Tasmania ruck Jaslyn Freestone wins a tap against Sydney-Canberra. Picture AFL Tasmania

“That’s what this year has been about – closing the gap,” she said.

“Wins count for something and we all play sport because we want to win.

“But at the end of the day I am just extremely proud of how much the group has grown and developed and started playing as a team.”

It is almost certain Tasmania will enter the VFLW next year with a seven-game campaign ahead of a full season in 2027 as the Tasmania Football Club prepares its Devils women for their debut in the AFLW in 2028.

“I thin 100 per cent the academy series achieved its goal,” Clifford said.

“The five games has given the girls the opportunity to play at that next level they are not getting at club footy.

“So I think it is a great stepping stone into the VFLW and how exciting it will be to see out girls take part in that next year.”

Clifford’s opposite number, Sydney-Canberra coach Kristie Whittard, also saw the positives for Tasmania.

After beating them comprehensively last year, Sydney-Canberra Kristie coach Whittard saw positive signs in the Devils women.

“Absolutely – what a massive improvement they’ve made in the past 12 months,” she said.

“You can see that Tassie is starting to invest in women’s footy.

“It’s exciting to see all of the talent coming out of Tassie.”