Welcome To VFL Footy
If this is your first visit, be sure to register so you can post. Click the register link above to proceed. The site is undergoing some maintenance and upgrades, so please be patient. Maintenance on the site may reactivate some historical posts.

Little respite for Devils

By Robbo July 31, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by Brett Stubbs

AFTER the train wreck of this VFL season, the Devils will begin pre-season for 2008 barely a month after playing their final home-and-away game.


Following another dismal second-half fade out on Sunday, which saw the Devils go from a point up early in the third term to 109-point losers against North Ballarat, Devils coach Daryn Cresswell said talks had already started for next season's preparations.

To top off Sunday's horrendous performance, it seems Geelong recruit Paul Koulouriotis (hamstring) will join fellow former AFL player Cameron Thurley (hip) on the sidelines for the rest of the season.

And Kangaroos-listed Leigh Adams (shoulder) and possible AFL draftee Brodie Moles (knee) could spend close to, if not all, the remaining three games on the injured list, resulting in -- if it is possible -- an even bleaker finish to the season.

It appears the first casualties of the dismal season could be the Devils' fitness staff, with AFL Tasmania already looking at new personnel.

"Obviously it is an area that we need to look at in terms of we need someone who has got the knowledge and who's very much qualified in getting players fit so they can play at a higher level," Cresswell said.

Half-game horror show

By Robbo July 30, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by James Bresnehan

A 20-goal second half by North Ballarat sent the Tasmanian Devils crashing to their third triple-figure defeat of the VFL season in another Jekyll and Hyde performance at Aurora Stadium yesterday.

 The Devils were told to get uncomfortable and to come in at half-time feeling sick from an exhaustive workrate.

They achieved that, playing inspired football despite a four-point deficit at half-time.

And having led by one point two minutes into the third quarter, the Devils were outscored 20 goals to three by the boys from Ballarat.

That second-half effort also left the Devils feeling uncomfortable and sick as they trudged off 24.22 (166) to 8.9 (57) losers.

Disappointed Devils coach Daryn Cresswell said the willingness to run and put pressure on in the second half was poles apart from the first half.

Devils go from bad to worst - Close in third quarter, but blown away to 109-poin

By Robbo July 30, 2007
From Launceston Examiner
Reported by Terry Morris

 THE Tasmanian Devils suffered one of their worst defeats of the season when beaten by 109 points at Aurora Stadium yesterday.

After a strong showing in the first half and leading by one point after an Adam Derbyshire goal early in the third term the Devils were then blown away by North Ballarat.

The news didn't get any better for the Devils after the game with former Geelong forward Paul Koulouriotis suffering a hamstring injury.

Kolouriotis aggravated his hamstring during the second quarter.

The Devils remain on the bottom of the VFL ladder and are yet to win on home soil this season. Yesterday was their second heaviest defeat of the year.

Blond ruckman Brad Moran tried hard to lift the Devils and kicked a valuable goal from the pocket in the third quarter when the team was still in contention.

Victory for Roosters, but big battle ahead

By Robbo July 30, 2007
From Ballarat Courier

NORTH Ballarat shrugged off early nerves to crush wooden spoon favourite Tasmania by 109 points in the Victorian Football League at Launceston yesterday.

The outcome was just what the Selkirk Roosters needed on the back of a 112-point hiding at the hands of the Northern Bullants.

Tasmania stayed in touch until half-time, but then North Ballarat cut loose at Aurora Stadium in an early AFL curtain-raiser to the Kangaroos and Hawthorn clash.

Tens goals in the third quarter and another nine reinstated important percentage and saw the Roosters return to the mainland with a 24.22 (166) to 8.9 (57) scoreline.

North Ballarat remains fifth - three games inside the top eight with four rounds to go.

With a bye in the last round, it meets the struggling Box Hill Hawks in Ballarat on Saturday and then leading premiership contenders Geelong (home) and Sandringham (away).

North Ballarat is only percentage behind fourth-placed Williamstown, but faces an uphill battle getting into the top four for a double chance in the finals with the Seagulls to play Bendigo Bombers, Port Melbourne and Tasmania.

"There were some testy moments, but in the end we played to the standard of football we're capable of and need to play," Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald said.

Williamstown spoils Clarke's party

By Robbo July 30, 2007
From The Age
Reported by Chris Walker

WILLIAMSTOWN rudely spoiled Daniel Clarke's 200th game celebrations yesterday, thrashing Frankston by 74 points at Frankston Oval.

The class added by the return of Collingwood players James Clement and Rhyce Shaw was simply too much for the home side.

But the day undoubtedly belonged to 21-year-old Patrick Rose. The small forward kicked eight goals straight, including four in the third quarter, in an electrifying display.

The win arrests a four-game losing streak for the Seagulls and puts them back on track as the finals loom.

"We were a bit worried about going down to Frankston with Clarke's 200th, but we did have a much better line-up," Williamstown coach Brad Gotch said after the game.

Seagulls destroy Frankston

By Robbo July 30, 2007
From Herald Sun
Reported by Geoff Poulter

SEVERAL Collingwood-listed players put themselves into selection contention in Williamstown's massive 74-point win at Frankston yesterday.

After the Magpies' drubbing at the hands of the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night, they would have been looking at the Seagulls to provide candidates for promotion and a few obliged.

Paul Medhurst was the pick of the bunch with 27 possessions and ruckman Chris Bryan had 10 marks, 22 touches and 20 hit-outs.

James Clement, playing his first game for several weeks after a calf injury, was solid across half-back.

Ideally Clement, who played about 70 per cent of the game, would probably need another run with Williamstown, but the Seagulls have a bye next week so he will probably go up.

SEAGULLS SPOIL NORMIE'S PARTY

By Robbo July 29, 2007
From Frankston FC Website
Reported by Michael Robinson

Williamstown have beaten Frankston by 74 points in their VFL match at Frankston Park today. On a beautiful day a big crowd came to Frankston to help celebrate Daniel "Normie" Clarke's 200th VFL game.

It was a reasonable even first quarter but 2 late goals to Williamstown gave them a 15 point quarter lead. Brett Dore was carried from the ground with a knee injury.

From the start of the 2nd quarter the Seagulls dominated with Patrick Rose, Andrew Williams and Paul Medhurst running riot asa the Seagulls added 7 goals in a row. 2 late goals from Luke Clark and Ricky Morris reduced the margin to 44 points at half time.

Williamstown's dominantion continued in the 3rd qaurter as they added another 7 goals to Frankston's 4 to lead by 61 points at the final change.

With the game well and truly over the last quarter just petered out as Williamstown added a further 3 goals to 1 to win by 74 points.

Hungry Zebras overrun Bendigo

By administrator July 29, 2007
From the Sunday Herald-Sun

Reported by Howard Leigh
Full article Click here

SANDRINGHAM reaffirmed it is on track to win a record fourth straight VFL/VFA premiership with a barnstorming finish to defeat the Bendigo Bombers at Trevor Barker Oval yesterday.

An upset was in the making when Bendigo held a 16-point lead at three-quarter time on the back of a seven-goal third quarter sparked by Essendon's 2006 third-round draft choice, Kyle Reimers, who booted three goals in three minutes.

But the Zebras answered the challenge in a power-packed final quarter, booting 11 goals to win by 31 points.

They remain clear leaders of the competition with 48 points after their 20.14 (134) to 14.17 (101) victory.

Zebras midfielder Peter Summers praised the Bendigo Bombers, saying they had played with a lot of commitment and intensity.

"We knew at three-quarter time that our intensity was pretty good and we came out with a win," Summers said.

Melbourne ruckman Mark Jamar and Paul Johnson dominated the hitouts.


Pages