OUR GIRLS KICKING ON AFTER COVID

TASSIE’S top underage female footballers are looking to hit the ground running in the NAB League on Saturday, a long-awaited return to competition after their first season was abruptly ended by the coronavirus outbreak. “We are a newish team so it will be exciting to see how we go this year after last year was cut short,” leadership group member and midfielder Perri King, far left, said.

TASMANIA’S best underage female footballers are excited to showcase their improvements in the NAB League this weekend, after their first season was abruptly ended.

The Devils girls played two matches in their debut campaign before COVID-19 cut down the competition.

Having spent the past several months finetuning their skills under coach Cameron Joyce, they will be looking to hit the ground running when they take on Gippsland Power in Melbourne on Saturday.

“We are a newish team, so it will be exciting to see how we go this year after last year was cut short,” leadership group member and midfielder Perri King said.

“It was disappointing for us all. “We were finally getting used to one another and learning how we all play. I felt we had a groove going and it got cut short.

“This pre-season has worked really well, we’ve had heaps of practice matches and intra-club games.

“I feel we are a lot fitter and faster and stronger from last year.”

Although the 39-member squad, which ranges in age from 16 to 20year-olds, has had additional time to prepare for what is essentially still feels like a first season, Joyce said it would take time to see on-field improvement.

However, signs on the track had been encouraging.

“Obviously only getting a couple of games in last year they are super keen to get out there and play some footy at NAB League level.

“It’s hard to tell for me exactly where we are at, I will probably know a bit more in a few weeks’ time once we have played against some opposition.

“Even in the eight weeks we have had, I can see improvement in the girls.”