Mia King homecoming the cherry on top in the Apple Isle

Ellie Gavalas was the pick of the players from our southernmost state, but she was just one of a handful of Tasmanians who took the field.

With a skirmish in play at the AFL’s men’s level surrounding the merits of Tasmanian footy and the prospect of a side playing out of Launceston and/or Hobart in the decade ahead, seeing the highly regarded teenager King ply her talents in her home state and acquit herself well couldn’t help but give a boost to Tassie footy.

While she only managed six possessions, a couple of times she showed her mettle in taking on bigger and more experienced players from the Crows – something avid observers had predicted she had the capacity to do in her debut season.

There is a long legacy of fine footballers from the state; Mia looks like she could be the latest – and arguably one of the most important – in the years ahead.