Devils fever hits the north west coast this weekend with Tasmania’s VFL and VFLW sides to play matches at Penguin’s Dial Park for the first time.

The women kick off proceedings when they clash with Box Hill at 9:05am, while the men will also play the Hawks from 11:35am. 

“It really excites me,” Devils’ defender Sarah Skinner said of the chance to play on the north west coast.

“I love that we are playing football up there… the juniors will have something [aspirational] to come and watch and it really connects the state for the Devils.”

Skinner, who played in the AFLW for Sydney and the Western Bulldogs, grew up in Latrobe and won the NWFL Best and Fairest playing with Devonport last season.

She’s been blown away by the level of professionalism in the Devils’ VFLW program and saw more positive signs in the 27-point loss to competition heavyweight Collingwood last round.

“We are learning how to compete at a higher intensity for longer periods of the game and I think on the weekend it was our best running output,” Skinner said.

“It’s allowing us to play the football we want to play because it’s allowing us to spread and get the ball on the outside.”

Like Skinner, Devils’ midfielder Harry Elmer is a product of the north west coast who’ll have plenty barracking for him on Saturday.

The 20-year-old can’t wait to play in front of his friends and family.

“I reckon I will have a fair few,” Elmer said.

“Most of my mates are coming and my family obviously so I reckon there will be a fair bit of support.”

“It’s super exciting… I feel like there is a lot of strong footy on the coast and a lot of history.”

A dual premiership player with Devonport, Elmer has produced an eye-catching first season in the VFL.

He’s laid the eighth most tackles in the league, highlighting his defensive qualities, and has also won plenty of the ball – last round he accumulated 26 possessions and kicked a goal in the loss to Brisbane.

“It’s obviously a huge step up [with] the speed and everyone is physically stronger and fitter,” Elmer said.

“But I’m loving it, embracing it and taking it with two hands.”

Both the VFLW and VFL matches will be broadcast on Seven and 7Plus this Saturday while SEN Tassie will be broadcasting on the radio.