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Cresswell has had a tough initiation to VFL coaching with the side languishing on the bottom of the ladder with one win from seven games.

"Although we are 1-6, at three-quarter time in three of those six losses we have been in front," Cresswell said.

"That's because we are so young, a new team. A lot of these guys haven't played much footy together."

Cresswell is among many Tasmanians angered at the state being overlooked in favour of a New South Wales-Queensland team in tentative plans for an AFL State-of-Origin series next season.

"It is pretty ridiculous. We are a traditional footy state down here," Cresswell said of the snub.

"Queensland and New South Wales get it served up to them on a silver platter, the money . . .

"We would beat Queensland (State-of-Origin team). They are a bit fragile.

"Next week we play Queensland in an interstate game (June 9, Aurora Stadium), their local comp against our local comp down here.

"We are pretty keen, that after all what has happened, leaving Tassie out, to give them a good touch-up.

"Hopefully we can give them a hiding, which I think we will."

Cresswell also defended the performance of his young VFL side this season.

"We lost a lot of senior players and experienced blokes from the alignment with the Kangaroos, such as Chad Jones and Troy Makepeace," he said.

"Our average age is only 20. We're very young, which is good. We have nine 18-year-olds in our side this week, we are a developing side.

"We don't train together with the three (state football) areas, plus the Kangaroos guys, so it is going to take a little while to jell.

"But I think in the second half of the year we will be a lot better than what we've shown in the first half.

"We have already played 13 or 14 debutants to VFL footy who are going to take a while to adjust to what is required at the level, and the more games they play the better they'll be.

"We are progressing nicely. I think the break came at a good time, just to sit back and say, 'Hang on, we are 1-6, why are we 1-6?' Just to give the boys a bit of confidence."

Cresswell took heart from Tassie's improved effort in its most recent game against Coburg.

"Coburg is third on the ladder and we were in front all day until the 14-minute mark (last quarter) so we are not too far off the pace," he said.

"We are trying to remain as positive as we can and a win (against sixth-placed Port Melbourne at Bellerive today) would be great for us just to get that confidence going again.

"When we do play at our best we can play some pretty exciting footy with a young, quick group."

Cresswell spoke glowingly of Tom Collier, selected at centre half-back against Port today.

"He could get drafted in the top 10 this year," Cresswell said.

"He is ready to play AFL football right now.

"Ken Hall has had a really good year. A few AFL clubs have been ringing up about him again.

"We need a 25 per cent improvement, collectively, and we can be a pretty hard side to beat."

Werribee and Casey Scorpions, which are both sponsored by real estate developer Peet Limited, play for the Peet Cup today at Chirnside Park, Werribee.