Tassie Roos make move

AFLW quartet shift to Melbourne to join pre- season squad

NORTH Melbourne’s quartet of Tasmanian- based AFLW players have moved interstate to participate in the club’s 2021 pre- season.

Since obtaining a licence in 2019, the Roos’ locals have split training sessions in Tasmania and at Arden Street.

But Nicole Bresnehan, pictured, Brooke Brown, Daria Bannister and Mia King have packed up and headed across Bass Strait to be part of the program full time.

Bannister will miss the majority of the pre- season as she continues rehabilitation from surgery last month to repair the left meniscus she injured in the TSLW grand final.

The club’s two other Tasmanian players, Ellie Gavalas and Britt Gibson, have been living in Melbourne for the past few years.

Coach Darren Crocker said while there was some initial hesitation from the four on making the move, they were now settled and attacking the pre- season with a full head of steam.

“We’re really keen to have a full- squad mentality, especially with the season building out a bit [ to nine home and away rounds],” Crocker told womens. afl.

“So it’s going to be really important to rely on all 30 girls.

“I’ve been catching up with them individually over the last few weeks.

“And there was a bit of apprehension and tension from the Tassie girls initially, but now they’re up here.

“They can’t believe it’s taken them this long to get here.

“I’m pleased, because a few of the meetings in 2020, where the girls were Zooming in from Tassie, it was pretty difficult.

“They weren’t getting the actual education and individual development that they needed to grow their games, which they’re hopefully getting now.”