Tasmania Devils news

Devils' pact grows shaky

By Robbo May 25, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by Brett Stubbs

FOR the first time since agreeing to the "semi-marriage", AFL Tasmania is questioning the future of its controversial partial alignment with AFL club the Kangaroos.

As a stand-alone VFL club, the Devils played five seasons for a 46 per cent winning return, and made the finals from 2003-05.

However, since entering the alignment, the Devils have won just eight of 25 games at 32 per cent, missed last year's finals, and are currently sitting at the bottom of the VFL ladder.

Asked if the VFL continued on its present format next season -- subject to the AFL's review of the second-tier competition -- whether the Devils would still be partially aligned, AFL Tasmania general manger Scott Wade said: "Good question, and that is certainly something we need to consider as part of this whole process.

"The sole reason we have tried it and are trying it is to win this competition (because) you need access to AFL players or you need to spend a significant amount of money on recruiting players to Tasmania -- money we haven't got.

Devil leaves postmark

By Robbo May 20, 2007
From Sunday Tasmanian
Reported by Adam Smith

TWO VFL players were lucky to escape serious injury at Bellerive Oval yesterday when a goalpost crashed to the ground during the Tasmania-Coburg clash.

Devils' half-forward Matthew Westfield, running back with the flight to try to mark the ball, crashed into the post at full throttle, snapping it near its base.

The falling goalpost hit Coburg youngster Luke McGuane who left the ground holding his left shoulder but he later returned to the field to finish the game.

The incident occurred 10 minutes into the final quarter.

The game was stopped for 15 minutes while officials hastily erected a replacement post.

Weighing just 90kg, Westfield surprised himself after the goalpost came off second best.

"The ball came in deep and I thought I was a fair chance for a mark," Westfield said.

"I wasn't aware of where the posts were, I just jumped and ran into something and didn't know what it was until I saw it (the post) on the ground.

Day of reckoning for defence

By Robbo May 19, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by Adam Smith

NULLIFYING one of the most dangerous forward lines in the VFL will be the key to helping the Devils arrest their five-game losing streak at Bellerive Oval today.

With Coburg possessing a wealth of strong-marking options up forward, forecast showers could also play into the home side's hands.

The form line of the two sides couldn't be further apart, with the Devils struggling since opening the season with a solid win against Bendigo.

On the other hand Coburg has strung together four wins since a first-round loss to the Northern Bullants and is sitting fourth on the ladder.

In all four victories the Tigers have cracked the 100-point barrier and with Tasmanian Jack Riewoldt, former Geelong spearhead Kent Kingsley and roaming target Cleve Hughes all lining up, coach Andrew Collins has plenty of choices.

Devils' finals hopes on line tomorrow

By Robbo May 18, 2007
From Launceston Examiner
Reported by Phil Edwards

THE pride, passion and 2007 finals hopes of the Tassie Devils will be on the line when Tasmania takes on the Coburg Tigers in their round seven VFL clash at Bellerive Oval tomorrow.

Coming off last week's humiliating fifth-straight loss to Werribee and crisis meetings during the week, Devils coach Daryn Cresswell said yesterday that he was happy with the commitment his players had shown during a tough week on the training track.

"It's been a tough week for everyone including the players, and they aren't happy with the position we're in," he said.

"We've approached things a bit differently this week and have concentrated on the defensive side of our game with a lot of tackling and physical pressure in the hope we can turn around our poor performances this week.

"This is a must-win game - if we do not win this game, we will not play finals footy."

Cresswell said he had spoken to his leadership group this week about lifting their performance.

Tassie's leaders bedevilled

By Robbo May 17, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by James Bresnehan

EVERYONE from the chairman to the boot studder took responsibility yesterday for the Tasmanian Devils' woeful winter, but the biggest blame went to one particular bunch -- the leadership group.

Their ears were ringing after the bake Devils coach Daryn Cresswell gave them on Monday night before flogging the entire squad on the training track.

The seven senior players -- co-captains Brett Geappen and Scott Stephens (dropped last Saturday), Paul Koulouriotis, Cameron Thurley, Nathan Street (also dropped), Ken Hall and Matthew Westfield (dropped) -- took the brunt of Cresswell's frustration from a 1-5 start.

"When you become a leader, there's an expectation there that you deliver," Cresswell said. "Unfortunately, our leaders haven't done that."

When asked how firmly he spoke to the seven, Cresswell said, with furrowed brow: "I got my message across."

The leadership group is just as sorry about the Devils sitting second-last on the VFL ladder.

"They're not happy with the position we're in either," Cresswell said.

Battle in the big league

By Robbo May 15, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by Brett Stubbs

THE biggest issue facing the Devils was the gap between the level of local competitions and the standard of VFL football, AFL Tasmania general manager Scott Wade said yesterday.

Wade has called a meeting of AFL Tasmania's football department and the Devils' coaching staff tonight after the Devils' pitiful 114-point away loss to Werribee on Saturday -- their fifth loss in a row.

"Is the structure of football in Tasmania supporting the Devils?" Wade said.

"The message to the football-loving public of Tasmania is that the gap between the SFL and the NTFL and the VFL is enormous.

"We have got some players who have come back into the VFL competition after performing exceptionally well in local footy who are realising it is a big jump, but they will persevere and get there in the end."


Headache for Devils coach

By Robbo May 14, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by Brett Stubbs

THE unique vagaries faced in leading the Devils are having a detrimental effect on coach Daryn Cresswell's game plan.

In the wake of the Devils' horrible 114-point thrashing at the hands of Werribee on Saturday, Cresswell said the "whole state" approach was causing headaches with his run-at-all-costs blueprint.

While Cresswell's predecessor Mathew Armstrong believed in the centralised system -- getting the majority of his team based in Hobart so the players could constantly train together -- Cresswell wanted to open the Devils up to the entire state by having regional training squads in the South, North and North-West.

This brought in an influx of players from northern Tasmania, but it has not brought results, with the Devils losing their past five games and sitting above last place by percentage only.

"It is pretty hard because obviously with the three regions I am finding it pretty difficult to deal with and it makes it very hard," Cresswell said.

Bedevilled by a thrashing

By Robbo May 13, 2007
From Sunday Tasmanian
Reported by Brett Stubbs

THE Devils wore their white away jumper for the first time yesterday, and then flew the white flag.

A pathetic, uncompetitive Devils were belted and humiliated to the tune of 114 points by Werribee, 31.14 (200) to 12.14 (86).

Werribee had never been defeated by the Devils and kicked their highest score against Tasmania -- and only 33 points less than its highest VFL score -- as it inflicted their third heaviest defeat in the Devils' history.

After winning their opening game, the Devils have now lost their past five. But yesterday's performance was clearly the worst and left new coach Daryn Cresswell struggling to find answers for the lack of fight in his listless side.

Passion and pride was for so long the trademark of this team, and factors which kept fans coming back even in defeat. But yesterday those factors were decidely absent.

When asked if the players were hurting after the game, Cresswell said: "No, I don't believe they are.

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