A Historic Day for Women’s Football in Tasmania
Tasmania made history in women’s football, even though they fell short in their VFLW debut against last year’s wooden spooners, Casey. Despite the 25-point loss to the Melbourne-affiliated Demons at North Hobart Oval, the Devils showcased some promising moments of play.
Anna Vrsecky, who had to leave the game late due to a heavy collision, was the standout player for Casey, scoring three goals in the match that ended with a score of 8.6 (54) to 4.5 (29).
Tasmania is set to enter the AFL and AFLW competitions in 2028. The two years in the VFL and VFLW are seen as crucial for the development of the expansion franchise.
“I had a few tears before the game. It was always going to be highly emotional,” said Tasmania coach Georgia Walker. “The men have had a VFL team before, but this is the first ever here (for the women). We’ve done a lot of reflecting on women’s football history. All the mums had their kids running out with them.”
“Win-loss is important, but that is a real moment that I wanted them to enjoy.”
Libby Haines, a former North Melbourne player and Tasmania-born athlete, scored the Devils’ first goal in the 11th minute with a kick on the run.
“It was pretty special, I’ll probably remember it for the rest of my life,” she said. “It was a tough pre-season, seven months in the making. It was just good to run out and make history.”
The Devils, who had only one pre-season practice game, trailed 28-6 at the end of the first term but managed to reduce the margin to nine points by the start of the last quarter. Vrsecky struck early in the fourth to give Casey some breathing room, and they went on to keep Tasmania goal-less in the final quarter.
Mackenzie Banks, the younger sister of Richmond’s Sam Banks, booted two goals for the Devils during their strong performance in the middle of the game.
Earlier in the day, the men’s team suffered their second defeat of the season, losing to 2024 and 2025 grand finalists Southport with a score of 20.10 (130) to 11.11 (77).
Tasmania started strongly and had a first-quarter lead, but Southport piled on the pain late with an eight-goal-to-three final term.
The Devils were without young defender Jaxon Artemis, who is reportedly set to be snapped up by Richmond at the mid-season AFL draft.
Coach Jeromey Webberley said the 20-year-old had a small calf tear and wouldn’t have played irrespective of the upcoming draft.
The loss leaves Tasmania with four wins, two losses, and one draw after round eight.
