From rugby sevens to Tassie captaincy: Robinson chuffed to lead ‘The Map’

But the Prospect High School teacher rates being named as Tasmania’s football captain for Saturday’s clash with Queensland as one of her biggest life achievements.

The 23-year-old had only just been named a co-captain at Bridgenorth, but will now lead the cream of the crop into battle on the Gold Coast.

It’s a far cry from a few years ago, when the 23-year-old was part of University of Tasmania’s team competing in the Women’s National University Sevens Competition.

Having played football briefly as a teenager, she returned to the game with the Parrots in 2022.

“I was actually a little bit lost for words (to be named captain). I may have audibly gasped, I’m very honoured and it’s a complete shock,” Robinson said.

“It’s quite high up there in my life achievements. We were discussing what our greatest football achievement was last night (Wednesday training), and mine was being named co-captain of Bridgenorth, so to receive this was unbelievable.”

“I played football at 16 for Launceston Football Club, but I only played one year and then played a lot of touch football and rugby.

“The pathway got taken away in rugby, so I went back to football about three years ago at Bridgenorth.

“In rugby I played for UTAS against other unis across the country, playing against people like Charlotte Caslick and Chloe Dalton.

“That was an amazing experience for me, but unfortunately UTAS stopped sending a team away so I decided to switch back across to footy.

“Through the UTAS program they offered amazing support and coaching, so it was a shame to see it go. Hopefully they can build up the grassroots to get back to that level again.”

Rugby and touch football’s loss has been Aussie Rules’ gain.

Robinson almost single-handedly dragged NTFA back from a half-time deficit with three goals in their two-point All Stars Series loss to NWFL.

She plays midfield for the Parrots, but is likely to line up at half-forward for Tasmania.

“Touch and rugby are fast and you have to change direction a lot, so I try and bring that element into football as much as I can,” she said.

“It’s amazing we have the opportunity again to play and build on what we did last year, especially with the two games as well. The team is very excited to get up to the Goldy and try and put on a good show.”

Atoning for last year’s defeat to Queensland at North Hobart Oval is providing plenty of motivation for Robinson and her squad.

“The Queenslanders are big and strong and can take contested marks, we’re going to try and put pressure on them the entire game,” she said.

“Obviously they beat us on our home turf down at North Hobart, we’d love to get a win up against them up there.

“I said through this campaign I’ve just been myself. I’ve found it quite natural to be myself and try and bring other people up with me as well.”

TASMANIA TEAM TO PLAY QUEENSLAND

B: #10 Jess Whelan (Wynyard), #12 Sophie Ranken (Old Launcestonians)

HB: #14 Georgia Hill (Launceston), #21 Kelsie Hill (Launceston), #18 Libby Haines (Penguin)

C: #1 Meg Radford (Launceston), #8 Olivia Smith (Wynyard), #17 Angelica Clark (North Hobart)

HF: #6 Amy Bissett (Wynyard), #19 Chloe Haines (Penguin), #20 Grace White (North Hobart)

F: #16 Alice Robinson (Bridgenorth), #25 Shania Saward (Penguin)

FOL: #9 Maddison Dunn (Bridgenorth), #15 Jenna Griffiths (Bridgenorth), #7 Perri King (Kingborough)

INT: #23 Jenna Farrow (Clarence), #5 Brieanna Barwick (Glenorchy), #3 Ava Curtis (Old Scotch), #11 Hailee Baldwin (Kingborough), #22 Molly Mitchell (Kingborough)

Originally published as From rugby sevens to Tassie captaincy: Robinson chuffed to lead ‘The Map’