NTFA women's: Representative side ready for North-West test

Facing off against the North West Football League at Penguin before doing battle with the Southern Football League at North Hobart Oval next Sunday, coach Ange Dickson is ready to flex the North's talent.

"We've got a full squad, the girls are really looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to play some top-level footy in the state," Dickson said.

"We just can't wait to get out there on Monday and show everybody what we can do."

With a squad of 24 announced, 19 of those played State League football last season, with Alex Hall, Tayla Ronken, Emma Groves, Georgia Nicholas and Letitia Johnston the players who played regionally.

Of the NTFAW's 12 sides, nine are represented, with Hillwood, George Town and Longford players unable to make the side.

ELSEWHERE IN SPORT

"I'm really looking forward to some of the non-TSLW players like Georgia Nicholas and a couple of the other girls that are going to be given the opportunity to play top-level footy," Dickson said.

"We've got a good spread [across the clubs], but I think it will be be pretty even across the board with our group and we're looking forward to seeing what everyone can do out there."

With the likes of former Launceston teammates Chanette Thuringer, Libby Haines, Abbie Hoiberg-Cox and Ashanti Jackson playing for the North-West, Dickson knows the opposition and is confident of a win.

"Each competition has their strengths and their weaknesses - the North-West will be a young but fast team," she said.

"We've been fortunate that over the years we've had a couple of the North-West players feature through the TSLW, so I have a little bit of an idea of some that we will be coming up against.

"I think they'll give us a good run for our money but I think we will be able to get the win on the weekend."

A captain is yet to be picked ahead of the first game, with the players to vote upon one themselves, but Dickson foreshadowed names like Dearne Taylor, Georgia Hill, Maggie Cathbertson and Hall to feature in the voting.

"In the end, the players are the ones that follow their captain and it's easy for us as coaches to look at who shows leadership potential but we are not the ones who are out there training with the group and knowing who the group respects.

"I think it is important for the group to know that their captain is somebody that they've chosen and somebody who they trust to lead."

The inaugural women's statewide representative series will kick off on Saturday as the NWFL hosts the SFL at Girdlestone Park in East Devonport.

Mikayla Binns, Hayley Whyte, Georgia Hill, Kelsie Hill, Dearne Taylor, Meg Sinclair, Meg Radford, Madi Shaw, Madi Brazendale (Launceston), Alex Hall, Maggie Cuthbertson (Scottsdale), Ebony Barrenger, Letitia Johnston (Bridgenorth), Georgia Nicholas, Ella Maurer, Zoe Bourne, Jemma Blair, Kara Hennessy (Old Scotch), Sophie Townsend (Meander Valley), Aprille Crooks, Hayley Breward (South Launceston), Tayla Ronken (Old Launcestonians), Emma Groves (Evandale), Cecilia Cameron (Deloraine).