Perri King starring for Tasmanian VFLW side

Perri King is kicking goals this season with the Tasmanian Devils VFL women's football side after another strong performance on the field in the game against Darebin at UTAS Stadium in Launceston on Saturday.

King was influential in the Devil's 33-point loss, racking up 15 disposals and 6 clearances, with her defensive work also a standout, laying an amazing 15 tackles in atrocious conditions.

A born and bred Derwent Valley local, King is playing for the VFLW Tasmanian Devils women's team after a stint with North Melbourne Football Club in the AFLW. Perri now also plays for the Kingborough Tigers, winning a premiership and MVP awards as co-captain of the side in 2025.

King is the daughter of past New Norfolk District Football Club player and coach Dean King, with Dean's brothers Clay and Brett also wearing the Eagles jumper with pride in the 80s, 90s and 2000s. Perri's brother Brandon has also played for the Eagles, with the entire King family well known for bleeding "Red, White and Black".

Perri was always around football and the "Eagles," and at 13 years of age, her focus was fine-tuned to playing competitively with the junior girls' team at New Norfolk District Football Club. With father Dean's coaching having a huge influence on Perri and the team, it wasn't long before the side won a premiership, plus other team/coach, and individual awards. In 2017-18, Perri was picked up by the Glenorchy Football Club at 15 and also played in the Girls Coats Talent League for the Tasmanian Devils in 2020 and 2021. Perri also represented the Allies Girls team in the U18 AFLW Championships in 2021.

Perri's talent caught the eye of AFL Clubs, and she was drafted by North Melbourne to the AFLW in 2021. Her skill, tenacity, competitiveness, and tackling were among the reasons she was drafted, and she went on to play for the "Roos" in the VFL that same year. Unfortunately, she was unable to secure a position in the senior AFLW side. She was delisted before the 2023 season and went on to play for Williamstown in the VFLW.

Returning home and to play for Kingborough and the Tasmanian Devils Women's VFL Football side this year could be termed a blessing in disguise of sorts for Perri.

Perri's mother, Angela Bank-Smith, a talented sportswoman in her own right and her greatest supporter, sadly passed away before the start of the 2026 VFL season.

Talking to her dad, Dean, he said:" It was a difficult time for the whole family whilst all this was happening, but we're glad to have Perri home and to have had the chance to all spend some time together".

Dad Dean also said, " We're all super proud of Perri and how she's handled herself, and yes, she still has ambitions to play AFLW for Tasmania".

In a previous statement regarding how her preparations for the 2026 VFL season had been, Perri said: "The build-ups have been pretty good, but obviously a lot of things have been going on in relation to our family".

"Mum was a massive supporter of mine, and she used to message me before every game, and she's definitely a part of my motivation to perform well".

“Being home and part of the Tasmania VFLW team means the world to me, the club, girls and supporters have been unreal", King said.

With Tasmania entering the AFL Women's competition in 2027, Perri King is well placed to resume her AFLW career with the Devils, given her form so far this season.

Call that what you will, or call it a "Devils" date with destiny.

Congratualtions also to Josh Clifford who will break the senior total games played record(302 games) for the New Norfolk District Football Club on Saturday at Boyer Oval against Dodges Ferry, passing previous record holder Roger Belcher on 301 games.