Tasmania Devils VFLW coach Georgia Walker says her winless side is on the verge of a breakthrough despite falling to Darebin at the weekend.
Walker said the loss was hard to take because it was against another winless team.
“The most disappointing part for the group is just that they know they can give so much more,” Walker said.
“They do have belief in the system and in each other, it’s just that it’s not come together yet for four quarters.”
Walker said the wet conditions played a significant role, with Darebin adapting faster.
“We probably overused the handball a little bit too much in the wet and weren’t able to read the cues of the game,” she said.
Despite the result, Walker pointed to promising signs in the team’s ball movement and ability to use the space on the ground.
She singled out Libby Haines for her 22-disposal effort as an inside mid-forward.
“For Libby to be able to start to build that consistency in her game is very impressive,” Walker said.
“I genuinely believe she’s going to make a massive impact on the VFLW.”
Walker confirmed Brooke Tuszynski ruptured her ACL playing club football at North Hobart on the weekend, the third such injury in the group this year.
“Pretty devastating, you know, a 19-year-old moved from Melbourne to get on for a list spot opportunity here,” she said.
Walker said the club would rally around Tuszynski however it could.
Tasmania now faces Sandringham on Sunday at Trevor Barker Oval.
Walker described the opposition as a very strong and contested team bolstered by recruiting several former AFLW players over the past two years.
“If we can stop some of their key players, we’ll be able to play it on our way,” she said.
Walker said team selection would be finalised after Wednesday training, with changes likely driven by match-up considerations rather than form.
She said the focus this week would be on building belief and connection within the group.
“I still believe we are one of the fittest VFLW teams in the comp,” Walker said.
