Orange Tigers' debutants to take on key roles in opening clash

The side last ran out in the AFL Central West preliminary final last August at Tiger Park against the Bathurst Bushrangers, falling short of the side's maiden women's grand final.

Nearly 11 months later, the side had to wait an extra week after the side had a bye in round one, but they're back and ready to go.

While some of the key cogs from the past few years will return - those like Jacqui Ryan, Em Lowe, Erin Naden and last year's skipper Jem Neuman, there will be plenty of new faces for the Tigers in 2020.

Some of those new faces will be asked to shoulder plenty of burden, too, with those like Amy Symons, Nita Noble and Sea Lindsay missing in 2020.

Kate Van Zuylekon is one of those new faces, and will step into Lindsay's large shoes on Saturday against the Bushrangers as she takes on the ruck role - a task she describe as "exciting and scary".

"Jacqui [Ryan] was going through some drills tonight to help me learn a bit about where I need to be and I feel a bit better now about it now but it'll be a learning curve," she said.

She wasn't sure if she'd be able to run out the game - "I think we all took a [fitness] hit with COVID" - she said it would be "awesome" to come away with a debut win.

Van Zuylekon came to the Tigers during their open day in March - only a few days before shutdown. Since training recommenced in July, she's been at nearly every session.

"The open day was good, we had a good run around, then COVID happened and we weren't allowed to play for a couple of months and since then I've been at nearly any training," she said.

"I played AFL9s and played as a kid, I was one of those kids who played at primary school and then never played after that and now that girls' footy is having a resurgence I thought I'd give it a crack.

"It's really fun, I love coming down to training and the girls are all amazing and super supportive."

Meanwhile, the men's side will look to bounce back after an opening-round loss to Dubbo when they clash with the Bushrangers on Saturday.

The reigning premiers jumped out of the blocks against the Giants last week to sit on top of the AFLCW ladder after one round.

First bounce for the women is at 1pm at George Park Oval, with the men from 2.30pm.