Bannister has been learning the nuances of the game this week at the All-Australian youth squad camp.

She is one of 44 girls – but the only Tasmanian – set to play in Saturday’s All-Stars youth curtain-raiser to the AFL Bulldogs-Melbourne women’s exhibition game.

“Coming into this, I have been pretty nervous because there’s a lot of talented, experienced players that have been playing for 10 years or longer,” Bannister said.

Bannister never laced up a footy boot until this year. Less than six months later, she starred for Tasmania at the youth national titles.

The 17-year-old is taking nothing for granted five months out from the eight-week national competition.

“If not this year, next year definitely because I have got a lot to learn,” she said.

“I’m still open-minded about it, still learning more about the game before I’m thinking too far ahead. But it’s definitely on the cards.”