WHILE the NAB League Girls competition is on break, we take a quick recap of each team, how the first three rounds have panned out for them and who has already stood up in the short time. In this edition we look at the league’s newest side, Tasmania Devils who had a tough first-up game against Oakleigh, before showing masked improvement in the Round 3 loss to Eastern Ranges.

2020 RESULTS:

R1: Bye
R2: lost to Oakleigh Chargers by 102 points
R3: lost to Eastern Ranges by 57 points

On face value the results might not look pretty, but Tasmania’s improvement from Round 2 to Round 3 was noticeable. The Devils were connecting more going forward and even managed to kick their first goal in NAB League Girls, whilst maintaining the defensive pressure. Keeping the opposition to just one goal in two of the quarters was a massive effort for the side from the Apple Isle.

FIVE STRONG STARTERS:

Amy Prokopiec (10.0 disposals, 1.5 tackles, 1.0 inside 50s, 4.5 rebounds)

The sole AFL Women’s National Academy member was the standout player from the first couple of rounds, being a reliable player in defence and the sole person to average double-figure touches. Anchoring the side on the last line, Prokopiec is good one-on-one and backs herself coming out of defence, having the nine rebounds in the opening two matches. One to watch next season as a top ager.

Perri King (7.0 disposals, 4.5 tackles, 2.5 inside 50s, 1.5 rebounds, 1 goal)

Another middle-ager who wrote herself into the history books becoming the first ever Tasmania Devils NAB League Girls (as a full-time team) goalkicker. She converted the major with a clever snap and has been quite impressive throughout games, working hard between the arcs and setting up plays in transition.

Camilla Taylor (5.0 disposals, 10.0 hitouts, 11.0 tackles, 2.0 rebounds)

The overage ruck was a tackling machine in the opening two rounds, often tapping the ball down and immediately tackling the opposition if they tried to shark it. She provides a calming presence and great experience around the stoppages, and showed natural leadership when on the field.

Jemma Webster (8.0 disposals, 1.0 marks, 3.0 tackles, 2.0 rebounds)

Caught the eye with some of her dashes out of defence, and while she might not have won a heap of the ball, had some impressive moments. She averaged a couple of rebounds per game and was able to use her afterburners to get away from opponents, running from the back 50 into midfield. One of Tasmania’s top-age prospects.

Meghan Gaffney (8.0 disposals, 1.5 tackles, 3.0 inside 50s)

She might be smaller at 155cm, but the middle ager showed she has plenty of zip, recording the most inside 50s of any player on her team in the opening two matches. She won her fair share of the ball and would often get away from the opposition, having an impact on the contest and being one of Tasmania’s more prominent players through midfield.

Others who have stood out: Aprille Crooks, Angelica Clark, Zoe Bourne, Jemma Blair

The even spread of performers across the Tasmanian team is evident with a mixed group primarily middle or bottom agers. Clark is the sole top ager in the others who have stood out category, laying seven tackles per game. Crooks has been just as fierce around the ball carrier with eight tackles per game, while fellow middle agers, Bourne and Blair have provided good support by working hard back into defence.