Northern Bullants 11.6.72
Tasmainia 12.5.77
N.B- [G] S.Kenna 4, R.Mott 3, L.Livingston 1, D.Clarke 1, J.Vansittart 1, A.Carrazzo 1.
Tas- [G] C.Blight 2, B.Beams 2, K.Ritcher 1, J.Ling 1, B.Robertson 1, J.Plapp 1, N.Heanley 1, B.Savage 1, T.Bartlett 1, B.Geappean 1.
Tasmainia has broken its losing streak with a thrilling win over a game Northern Bullants side at North Hobart.
Played in mild conditions the game was tight for the most part despite the Devils getting off to a flyer. Trailing by 19 points early in the 1st term the Bullants responded with 3 straight goals to go in the break only 3 points down.
Former Bullant Cameron Blight started up forward and saw off Paul Bunn who was benched as Blight was instrumental in the Devils strong start.
Blight himself ended the quarter on the bench as the Bullants midfield led by Jon McCormick and Kade Simpson brought them back into the game. Ironically Blight spent all his game time at same end of the ground as he was rotated between the forward and backline.
The second term started in the same fashion as the first with a Devils clearance. Getting the ball out of the centre was probably the difference between the sides, with the Devils finishing 4 clearences in front of the Bullants.
The Bullants intensity lifted up another notch as they led the game for the first time thanks to some good kicking in front of goals.
Nathan Henley kicked a goal with his 1st kick in VFL football after recieving an off the ball free kick and subsequent 50 metre penalty. The penalty a result of some very sloppy play from the Bullants. A follow up goal saw the Devils take a 10 point lead into the main change.
The momentum quickly changed after the break, with the Bullants scoring the first 3 goals of the term thanks to some great crumbing work from Stephen Kenna and Andrew Carrazzo.
Possession of the ball was still evenly spilt so the inevitable Devils fight back enventuated. Cameron Blight and Ben Beams became the first multiple goalscorers for the Devils as they again took the lead.
The last quarter promised much and in the end it went right down to last kick of the game. Ricky Mott started to provide a target up forward but as it has in the past his kicking was shaky under pressure. To be fair Mott wasn't the only one who missed chances all 3 of Kade Simpson's second half misses were gettable.
The Bullants regained the lead after Jordan Bannister marked and missed from 50 metres out. But it was Brent Geapean who was to be the hero for the Devils. A strong mark and follow up kick with a few seconds on the clock saw the Devils home.
In the end a heartbreaking loss for the Bullants.
