News

From Launceston Examiner
Reported by Phil Edwards

AURORA Stadium could become the home base of the Tassie Devils next season, coach Daryn Cresswell said yesterday.

Speaking at the Devils' training session at the venue in preparation for today's clash against reigning VFL premier Sandringham, Cresswell said it was important for the team to have a central training base.

"The football department will meet with Scott Wade in the next few weeks to discuss a system whereby we can train together a bit more than we have done," Cresswell said.

"Aurora is definitely a chance because it's very accessible and we can get on here in the summer months because there's no cricket played here."

But Cresswell said he didn't have a particular preference for either Bellerive or Aurora.

"Whatever best suits the footy team in terms of the best training venue where everyone can get together is more important to me rather than where it's at," he said.

The bottom-placed Devils face a tough assignment in today's game against the Melbourne- aligned Zebras, who boast a potent forward line of Nick Sautner, Ezra Poyas, Ben Holland and Byron Pickett.

But Cresswell said he was more concerned about the Devils' effort than the result.

"I'm not too worried about the scoreboard anymore. It's all about effort and how we go about things with our team structures, and the scoreboard will take care of itself," he said.

"We believe if we give it our best effort and commitment for 120 minutes we will be very competitive and that's all we can really ask for us."

The Devils are in a rebuilding phase with a young, inexperienced list, and Cresswell said the more VFL experience his charges got under their belt the better they would be.

"Last week we had 14 guys in the team who had played less than 10 VFL games with an average age of 19," he said.

"It will be a good experience for them playing against such a potent side like Sandringham who have won the past three premierships.

"From that point of view every week is good experience for our blokes about the requirements and standards of playing at this level - so it will be a good challenge," he said.

The return of full- forward Adam Derbyshire and Cameron Thurley from injury will bolster the Devils' forward line.

"We need more out of our midfield and I'm sure when they see those two back in the forward line they will kick it in with more confidence than they've shown,' Cresswell said.

Kane Richter's return for his first VFL game since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in round 14, 2005, will provide much-needed inspiration for his teammates.

"We've delayed his comeback but it's good to get him back from a serious injury and he's played really good footy for North Hobart for about a month," Cresswell said.

Defender Sam Carins faces a fitness test this morning to decide if he will take his place in the team.

The Devils' interchange bench includes Sam Fielding, James Armstrong, Sam Whish-Wilson and Jason Ling.