This weekend, North Melbourne VFLW makes history against Essendon at Windy Hill as they play 11 Tasmanians.
Amongst the talent, Meagan Kiely, who leads the side, is a Tasmanian herself – she says that this weekend is a true reflection of what North Melbourne is about.
“North Melbourne is really great at embracing Tasmania and have really made sure they maintain the connection between the Melbourne based talent and the Tassie girls,” Kiely told North Media.
“It’s great to see such of a mixture between NAB League girls, AFLW girls and also the VFLW talent who have moved into the team.”
Kiely’s journey to North Melbourne’s VFLW side began in Tassie alongside AFLW star Britt Gibson - who is now a long-term friend of hers.
“I was about 18-years-old when I started playing. I moved to Launceston for university, then I started playing footy there. I then played a year at ‘Burnie’ with Britt Gibson and won a premiership there. I then played there more years of footy from there,” She said.
“'Gibbo' and I have stayed friends since our days at Burnie ... she is a big part of the reason I am at North Melbourne now.”
Not only is Kiely the captain of the VFLW side, but she is also currently the leading disposal-getter in the team, pushing for her name to be on the AFLW list.
“I am a physio by trade, and I try to put myself in the position to be the best version of myself," she said.
“I enjoy working of a day, and going straight to footy afterwards, as I enjoy the environment I am in, and enjoy training and playing.
“I really enjoy playing alongside the girls every week and am pleasantly surprised with my form this year. But that’s a reflection of the program I’m involved in at North Melbourne.”
This weekend’s game will feature as an opener to the North Melbourne VFL side.
Kiely will lead 10 other Tasmanians this coming weekend:
- Daria Bannister (AFLW)
- Nicole Bresnehan (AFLW)
- Brooke Brown (AFLW)
- Mia King (AFLW)
- Sarah Skinner (VFLW)
- Meg Sinclair (VFLW)
- Ella Maurer (NAB LEAGUE)
- Perri King (NAB LEAGUE)
- Jemma Blair (NAB LEAGUE)
- Camilla Taylor (NAB LEAGUE)
