Sunday afternoon marks the competition debut of the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos, who host Carlton at North Hobart Oval to kick-off the season proper.
It will be the first meeting between the two teams in the AFLW, with Kate Gillespie-Jones and Danielle Hardiman facing their former side, having spent two seasons with the Blues.
A first-up win will be crucial for both sides in the only meeting between Conference A and B teams in the opening weekend.
The opposition
Coach: Daniel Harford
Captain: Brianna Davey
Last year's finish: Eighth
Best and fairest: Katie Loynes and Breann Moody (joint winners)
The visitors will welcome several new faces for the Round 1 meeting, including senior coach Daniel Harford and young gun Madison Prespakis.
Selected with pick number three in last year’s draft, Prespakis will be familiar to many of North’s stars, having played for the Roos’ VFLW affiliated side, Melbourne University Women’s Football Club, in the state competition last year.
Prespakis will compliment Carlton’s existing brigade of Katie Loynes, Breann Moody, Darcy Vescio and Tayla Harris, among others.
Who you’ve seen before (North)
Fans will have seen a host of North’s playing squad in action before, with the likes of league best-and-fairest Emma Kearney, Britt Gibson, Jess Duffin and Kaitlyn Ashmore having played in previous seasons of the AFLW.
The Roos’ engine room will have an abundance of drive with Duffin and Kearney thriving in roles in the middle of the ground, with their respective accomplishments in both the AFLW and VFLW validating credentials earned in 2018.
Meanwhile, running authority Ashmore will look to assert her familiar presence on the wings having successfully rehabbed a broken finger. Ashmore is expected to provide line-breaking run, after strong performances in multiple roles throughout pre-season.
Forward threats Mo Hope and Jas Garner have plans of reasserting their dominance within North’s forward line, following two seasons at Collingwood.
The likes of Emma Humphries, Jamie Stanton and Jas Grierson will provide ample support across the ground, having shown promise on the track throughout pre-season.
Emma King’s ruck dominance in North’s encouraging practice match win over Melbourne suggests a strong first season is on the cards for the tall.
Who to look out for
Despite their limited experience, expect several fresh faces to make an impact in their AFLW debuts.
Among those are Jess Trend, Ash Riddell, Georgia Nanscawen and Daisy Bateman, who have shown promise throughout their preparation ahead of Sunday afternoon.
Trend continues to show natural leadership skills in North’s defence, while Bateman looked at home in attack, slotting the first goal against the Demons at Casey Fields.
After transitioning from a successful career in hockey, Nanscawen has shown the tenacity required at the highest level, providing steel and grit at stoppages and in a lock-down defensive role.
A highlight reel effort from Riddell, who captained the MUGARS in the VFLW, suggests that the boom recruit could be a forward threat whenever the ball is at her disposal.
Match details
What: North Melbourne Tasmania Kangaroos v Carlton
When: Sunday, February 3rd (First bounce 1.05 pm EST)
Where: North Hobart Oval
Broadcast: Watch live on FOX Footy or via the AFL Womens Match Centre
