Reported by Phil Edwards
THE Tassie Devils must have felt like the Anzacs under fire on the beaches of Gallipoli as they succumbed to superior enemy fire- power in their Anzac Day commemoration match against Frankston at Aurora Stadium yesterday.
The Devils were never in the hunt for the Alec Campbell Cup as a fitter, stronger and more skilful Dolphins outfit gave the home side a football lesson which left Devils coach Daryn Cresswell seething after the game - Tasmania meekly surrendering 15.12 (102) to 7.8 (50).
Frankston led at every change extending their nine-point quarter time lead to 21 points at half-time, 34 at three-quarter time before finally forcing Tasmania to capitulate by 52 points, in a disappointing display.
The Devils showed plenty of endeavour and a willingness to run and carry the ball but were plagued by skill errors, fumbles and costly turn-overs.
They also struggled to kick goals all night with full-forward Adam Derbyshire held goalless and Brodie Moles the only multiple goal-kicker with two.
The non-aligned Dolphins on the other hand were more systematic in their movement of the ball.
They rebounded skilfully from a rock-solid defence and were far more accurate in disposal by foot and hand going forward.
Small forward Justin Berry was a stand-out booting five goals for the Dolphins in best-on-ground performance as he continually found space, winning the Frank McDonald medal for Frankston's best.
Cresswell was scathing in his assessment of the Devils performance after the game.
"It was disappointing but we're still searching for our best side and obviously a few guys are falling away," he said.
"I'm not sure how long the road is going to be but we have to continue to search for guys who can play our game plan- and it was quite obvious that we were outworked by a team that was fit and who can run.
"We have to find players that can play that kind of footy because it was obvious to me and our match committee that we had players who can't run and won't run," he said.
Cresswell admitted the Devils were poor going forward and forecast changes in personnel next week.
"I felt sorry for Derba and our forwards because we continually turned it over and made bad decisions," Cresswell said.
"We got taught a footy lesson today- but it's how we respond and at the moment we've got players who are representing a rep side and not playing for the jumper or the club."
Cresswell singled out the efforts of co-captain Brett Geappen and Alan O'Sign for "standing up" in the last quarter and Ulverstone's Sam Whish-Wilson who was awarded the Frank McDonald medal as Tasmania's best player.
"If I were the other 21 players today I would go and get Sam's video-tape and watch it because you won't see a more committed person who runs, puts his body on the line and loves and thrives on a contest," Cresswell said.
