26 players from across the state, comprised of 15 from the north (Yeoman, Spreyton and Launceston) and 11 from the south (Hobart, North Hobart and Clarence) were chosen to represent our great state. Sandra Eaton from the North Hobart Football Club was selected as Tasmania’s first female football Captain.
One of the key objectives was to put a competitive side on the park at the Championships. Given the TASWAFL has only been in existence for 4 seasons we were not entirely sure what to expect from our own players, let alone from the other states and territories.
Tasmania’s first game was against the Northern Territory and our focus was our own game plan – win the ball, protect the ball carries and run and carry. Within 2 minutes we had our first goal!
Northern Territory kicked the next two as the girls settled into the game, but as the quarter wore on the girls gained more confidence and finished the quarter off with 3 more goals.
We went on to kick another 8 goals for the game and won by 42 points. Jessica Wuetschner, Maddison Smith and Kieran Hutchinson with 6 goals were Tassie’s best in a fantastic effort by all the girls. There certainly is no better way to start the Nationals than with a win!
The girls came up against some very good opposition in games two and three against NSW and ACT respectively. These girls were bigger, stronger and faster with many more years of experience. It is fair to say that we were given a football lesson by both NSW and ACT with NSW eventually going onto win Division Two of the Championships.
Although the girls were soundly beaten by teams that possessed better skill sets, our girls never gave up and held their heads high. No one ever expected Tasmania to be even the slightest bit competitive let alone win a game. The Championships provided not only our best players in the state the opportunity to play the best in the nation, but gave us a great insight into where we need to improve and where we currently sit in women’s football. And it’s looking very bright. So girls get out there and have a go – it’s only two more years until the next National Championships!
If you would like to get involved in women’s football contact a club in your area:
Clarence Roos – Kristy Baker – 0439 610 935
Hobart Tigers – Cam Day – 0400 690 877
Launceston Blues – Amanda and Brett Sweeney – 0418 430 542
North Hobart Demons – Luci-Anne Ottaway – 0438 049 068
Spreyton Ea-girls – Chris Matthews – 0407 272 149
Yeoman – Alleisha Harris – 03 6435 1546
Tasmania’s results at the 2011 AFL Women’s National Championships:
Game 1 v NT
12.6 (78)
5.6 (36)
Tasmania
Goal Kickers:Kieran Hutchinson 6, Jessica Wuetschner 3, Stephanie Shaw 2, Letita Johnston
Best Players: Jessica Wuetschner, Kieran Hutchinson, Maddison Smith, Sandra Eaton, Rachael Moore, Debra Allen
Game 2 v NSW
1.0 (6)
16.14 (110)
Tasmania
Goal Kickers: Nikki Ellis
Best Players: Jessica Wuetschner, Krystal Chugg, Nietta Lynch, Debra Allen, Rachael Moore, Cara Brooke
Game 3 v ACT
2.3 (15)
15.11 (101)
Tasmania
Goal Kickers: Kate McCreadie, Stephanie Shaw
Best Players: Maddison Smith, Sandra Eaton, Jessica Wuetschner, Debra Allen, Nietta Lynch, Sarah Holland
Last Modified on 11/07/2011 14:43