The votes are in and Tarni White is the Animal Enclosure All-Star for Round Two after her outstanding afternoon against the defending Premiers in Adelaide. While the Saints would ultimately fall short of toppling the Crows, it was not through any lack of trying from the 19-year-old Queenslander.
She was particularly prominent in the third quarter as she worked tirelessly to help her team hold on to their hard-fought lead. With the Saints defence under constant pressure, she collected seven disposals and took five marks in the third quarter alone. Her intercept possessions vital in stemming the Crows tide and in setting up Caitlin Greiser’s second goal. Chiming in at pace, to cut off a misplaced Anne Hatchard kick, White turned on the afterburners through the corridor. Her kick to Kate Shierlaw was roved by Kate McCarthy who found Rosie Dillon inside 50 with a smart kick. Dillon then released Greiser with quick hands for the goal.
For White, her performances in the opening rounds of the season are an early reward for making the brave decision to nominate for the Victorian talent pool draft rather than for her home state of Queensland. It was no rash decision, the Saints defender dreamed of moving to Victoria as early as her first game as a nine-year-old for the Wynnum Vikings.
Given her self-deprecating post-match interview with saints.com.au you can expect to see her pushing for All-Star honours again this season. “I played okay, but I’m always looking to improve,” White said. With a bunch of exciting young players developing around her, we are excited to see just how far she and the team can develop.
ALL-STAR STANDINGS AFLW ROUND ONE
| PLAYER | TOTAL | ROUND |
| Georgia Patrikios | 7 | 3 |
| Tarni White | 4 | 4 |
| Molly McDonald | 3 | |
| Tilly Lucas-Rodd | 2 | 2 |
| Olivia Veseley | 2 | |
| Clara Fitzpatrick | 1 | 1 |
| Hannah Priest | 1 |
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