They may be stacked with star-power, but don’t underestimate the ‘lesser-lights’ this season; that’s the message from North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos coach Scott Gowans.
He says a raft of new faces will debut this year are set to take the league by storm.
"I think they will impact and surprise a lot of people," Gowans told The Age.
Among them, 22-year-old midfielder Ash Riddell and forward Sophie Abbatangelo.
"She [Riddell] was unlucky not to get picked up last year, but her midfield work and her craft is so good,” he said.
"Clubs will probably try and tag Emma Kearney and put her out of the game, but good luck leaving Ash Riddell by herself as well. She could be very exciting for the competition."
As for Kearney, although she might be tagged, Gowans said it will be no easy feat stopping the reigning AFLW best and fairest winner.
"She is the most competitive person that I’ve met in my life,” he claimed.
“She just wants to win everything. I’ll be kicking a ball to her in a drill, I’ll miss a target once out of 20 kicks and she’ll give me a spray. She’s just that kind of person, and I love that about her.
"She’s the hardest worker on the track with skills and conditioning, but then she also talks and teaches ... She just gets it. She looks fit, and she’s raring to go."
North will play Carlton on Sunday at North Hobart Oval, with the first bounce at 1.05pm.
"The AFL said they’re expecting about 4000 people there. But I think they’ll actually get a few more than that ... I know it’s had a bit of attention down there, which is great," said Gowans.
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North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos v Carlton
Sunday, February 3 - 1.05pm
North Hobart Oval
