Daria Bannister was quick to run a finger down the new AFLW fixture after its release in search of when her current club met her former club. So when the Friday night clash just happened to be scheduled in her hometown, the Launceston 19-year-old was determined to be cleared to play from a ruptured ACL knee injury 12 months on. "I think with the injury, I was always a bit hopeful of making round 3 - I was even hopeful to make round 1 - but I think that's from my side of things," she said. "Looking at it now, you have to tick all the right boxes, follow the right processes and I have done that so far. "Hopefully in a few weeks' time, I'll be match fit and I'm up for match selection." The historic AFLW first at UTAS Stadium of North Melbourne-Tasmanian Kangaroos playing hosts to the Western Bulldogs has not been lost on Bannister's teammates running out onto the ground for the first time. The Roos won on debut over Carlton by 36 points at North Hobart Oval and against the Dogs are set to claim a third victory in a row. "It's just all very exciting, especially for the Tasmanian players," Bannister said. "Some are playing in their debut games like [Burnie's] Chloe Haines, so that's exciting for her, but for the rest of the girls to get back to Tassie." Bannister has given some tips on how to best play the vast expanses of the oval, but she has not been asked for any insight on the inner sanctum of the reigning premiers. "I wasn't asked specifically on what I know and use that to their advantage as the coaches do a lot of work and know the players from the Bulldogs already," she said.
Daria Bannister was quick to run a finger down the new AFLW fixture after its release in search of when her current club met her former club.
So when the Friday night clash just happened to be scheduled in her hometown, the Launceston 19-year-old was determined to be cleared to play from a ruptured ACL knee injury 12 months on.
"I think with the injury, I was always a bit hopeful of making round 3 - I was even hopeful to make round 1 - but I think that's from my side of things," she said.
"Looking at it now, you have to tick all the right boxes, follow the right processes and I have done that so far.
"Hopefully in a few weeks' time, I'll be match fit and I'm up for match selection."
The historic AFLW first at UTAS Stadium of North Melbourne-Tasmanian Kangaroos playing hosts to the Western Bulldogs has not been lost on Bannister's teammates running out onto the ground for the first time.
The Roos won on debut over Carlton by 36 points at North Hobart Oval and against the Dogs are set to claim a third victory in a row.
"It's just all very exciting, especially for the Tasmanian players," Bannister said.
"Some are playing in their debut games like [Burnie's] Chloe Haines, so that's exciting for her, but for the rest of the girls to get back to Tassie."
Bannister has given some tips on how to best play the vast expanses of the oval, but she has not been asked for any insight on the inner sanctum of the reigning premiers.
"I wasn't asked specifically on what I know and use that to their advantage as the coaches do a lot of work and know the players from the Bulldogs already," she said.