Dream first game on cards for Claire

HOBART’s newest AFLW draftee could be set for a dream debut with the newly released fixture bringing Claire Ransom’s Gold Coast to Hobart for a blockbuster round 1 match-up with the Kangaroos in what will be the first AFLW game at Blundstone Arena.

On Monday, the AFLW announced Tasmania would host two games this season with a round 1 match-up between Gold Coast and North Melbourne-Tasmania on August 27 at Blundstone Arena followed by the Kangaroos returning to host Geelong in a Friday night clash at UTas Stadium on September 16. Ransom, 18, was selected by the Suns with pick 34 at last week’s AFLW national draft and would be given the dream opportunity of making her debut only minutes from her Mount Stuart home if the skilful midfielder was selected in the round 1 team.

The round 1 clash will see Blundstone Arena host the country’s top-tier football competition for the first time after scheduling issues ruled out North Hobart Oval.

North Melbourne chief executive Ben Amarfio said the club was excited to host two games at its “home away from home”.

“We are thrilled to be returning to Tasmania across the upcoming AFLW season,” Amarfio said.

“We have worked hard with Cricket Tasmania to secure Blundstone Arena because we were very keen to kick off our AFLW campaign with a round 1 match in Hobart. We will return to Tassie in round 4 to take on the Cats in Launceston for our AFLW Indigenous Round where we will celebrate the wonderful aspects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture brings to our game.

“Tassie is our home away from home and we are looking forward to bringing AFL women’s action back.”

Season Seven will start on Thursday, August 25, when Carlton and Collingwood meet at Ikon Park.