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http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,21269586-12428,00.html
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BORN-AGAIN West Adelaide will play a trial against VFL club Tasmania Devils next month as the Bloods continue to push a new-found profile.
There's a two-fold aim for West. It will head to Hobart on March 24 to top off a comprehensive pre-season program and also galvanise its rejuvenated senior squad which has a dozen recruits.
With just two SANFL-scheduled trial games, Bloods general manager Damien Phillips said the Tassie trip fitted in just fine.
"It will give us three high-quality practice matches," he said. "It's a really good opportunity for us to develop as a senior group."
AFL-Tasmania has provided some money to help cover expenses. With gate takings and proceeds from an after-match function Phillips said the trip won't be a financial strain.
North Adelaide - which is thought to have spent about $20,000 going to Darwin last year - has regularly declared the benefits of having an interstate trial. General manager Glenn Elliott has said it helped meld the Roosters squad into one of the closest in the league.
West has also arranged a trial against the SA Amateur League under-23 state squad before the Hobart trip.
The Bloods will hold an internal trial on a week today (from 6pm) at Richmond then hold a weekend camp at Wakerie before hosting the Amateurs (noon) on March 10.
The Bloods face South Adelaide on March 17 at Noarlunga then West travels to Hobart before playing Central District (March 31) its the second SANFL-programmed trial.
Phillips felt the deal with Tasmania might become an annual event.
"There could be a real good relationship develop out of this," Phillips said. "If we can see there are bigger benefits for us will will look at taking (the relationship) further."
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