Hawthorn VFLW player Abbey Tanner expects the Northern Territory Thunder to “bring it” when they meet in their Round 1 clash at Box Hill City Oval on Sunday.
The two sides met once last season when they played in Round 15 at TIO Stadium in Darwin.
The Hawks won that match by 25 points in what was an important result as it provided the side with confidence heading into their finals campaign.
“We’re expecting them to bring it,” Tanner said.
“We brought it to them at their home last year so I’d be expecting nothing less from them coming down to us and try and take it off us at our home ground.”
The season opener couldn’t come soon enough for Tanner, who says that the girls have been waiting for this day to come around since beginning pre-season last December.
“It’s been a long pre-season with a lot of dedication.
“I’m just really, really keen to get into it. I think we’ve been waiting and the practice matches have really built up our want for Round 1 to come and I don’t think we could be any more prepared if we tried.”
This is Tanner’s third season with the Hawks and says that the group has formed really close relationships over the summer.
“We’ve cut the list down earlier than what we have in previous years so it’s a really good opportunity for the girls to bond earlier.
“Honestly it’s just starting to feel like coming home now being our third year, so it’s really exciting.”
Hawthorn’s match against the Thunder will take place this Sunday May 12 at Box Hill City Oval at 11.30am.
