News

From The Mercury
Reported by James Bresnehan

A 20-goal second half by North Ballarat sent the Tasmanian Devils crashing to their third triple-figure defeat of the VFL season in another Jekyll and Hyde performance at Aurora Stadium yesterday.

 The Devils were told to get uncomfortable and to come in at half-time feeling sick from an exhaustive workrate.

They achieved that, playing inspired football despite a four-point deficit at half-time.

And having led by one point two minutes into the third quarter, the Devils were outscored 20 goals to three by the boys from Ballarat.

That second-half effort also left the Devils feeling uncomfortable and sick as they trudged off 24.22 (166) to 8.9 (57) losers.

Disappointed Devils coach Daryn Cresswell said the willingness to run and put pressure on in the second half was poles apart from the first half.

"The problem is now obvious," he said.

"We're not fit enough. We're miles away from other teams in terms of fitness and it's really showing in the second half of games.

"We don't train together enough and that makes it really hard to develop any real continuity," he said.

Ten of the Devils' squad were Kangaroos from the other side of the partial alliance with the Shinboners.

The loss of top midfielders Paul Koulouriotis (hamstring) and Leigh Adams (suspected fractured arm) and goalkicker Brodie Moles, restricted by a knee complaint and eventually benched, brought the Devils' midfield to a standstill.

Where it had been slick and efficient in the first half, it was reduced to being a bystander to Ballarat's overwhelming attack after half-time.

"We had to bring Moles off because it was just going to damage him further," Cresswell said.

"The injuries hurt us and we didn't have an answer to their run and pressure in the second half."

One positive was the form of bigman Brad Moran.

If the Kangaroos are looking for a tall player for AFL duties, then Moran could be their man.

The big blond was super in the ruck and up forward and generally around the ground.

Defender Nathan Street competed hard against a flood of North Ballarat forward thrusts and fullback Kane Richter was again a solid contributor.

Youngsters Alex Grima and Jaye Bowden impressed enough to keep their spots in the team.

Bowden didn't play in the first quarter and still gathered 18 possessions.

"They're getting important exposure at this level and they've shown me they are

up to it with clever play and good use of the ball," Cresswell said.

The door will be opened for several other young guns to show their wares in the VFL.

"We were hoping to keep the side settled but the injuries mean we will introduce some other young guys next week," he said.

The Devils have a bye this weekend and their next match is against the Casey Scorpions at Bellerive on August 11.