One night after winning State League netball matches in Cavaliers and Northern Hawks colours respectively, the pair lined up in the same Blues side that defeated Glenorchy by 22 points. 

The season opener marked Claridge’s first outing in the TSLW, while McLaughlin played in the Blues’ premierships side last season.  

“I sort of played social (football) in New Zealand but it’s not as structured as over here, it’s more who can kick it the furthest really and chase it from there,” McLaughlin said. 

“It’s not too bad going from netball to footy but I certainly would struggle to play a game of netball (after footy).”

A Tasmanian Magpies netballer in 2017, Claridge harboured a desire to play football for many years before joining up with the Blues over the off-season.

The goal attack said she had relished the challenge of a new sport as well as the support of her new teammates. 

“It was a good hit-out,” she said.

“The girls are lovely and get around me and help me in every way they can which makes it very easy to adapt to footy.”

The support from McLaughlin will presumably cease, however, when the two resume their rivalry on the netball court.

The pair won’t play off until the Northern derby in round 8, but are likely to be direct opponents when they do. 

“We haven’t played each other in netball yet but as soon as we’re here it’s completely different,” Claridge said.

“I don’t see her as a Cav, I see her as a teammate so there’s definitely no hard feelings.”