Reported by Phil Edwards
TASSIE Devils co-captain Scott Stephens will line up for his 50th VFL game today in the Anzac Day commemoration clash against Frankston at Aurora Stadium tonight.
Devils coach Daryn Cresswell said yesterday that he hoped Stephens's milestone game would be added incentive for his teammates to beat the Dolphins.
"Although he didn't play with the Devils last year he has been a terrific contributor to Tasmanian footy and the Devils," Cresswell said.
"We've only had three guys play 100 games and Scotty is well on the way.
"Everyone likes to win milestones so it would be nice to get a win for him."
The Devils held a final full- squad training run at Aurora Stadium under lights last night and Cresswell said from a confidence point of view the team definitely needed a win.
"We've been working pretty hard but just obviously haven't got that four points which has been eluding us," he said.
"We've been in the games until three-quarter time against two quality oppositions but haven't been able to win which has been disappointing.
"The style of footy has been good and the guys should believe in it and we've seen it be successful - but we have to tighten up on the defensive side of our game and not give away silly free kicks - and the results will come our way," he said.
Cresswell said he always expected it to take a few weeks to settle on his best side.
"I've got to see how some fellows handle playing VFL footy because it's a big step up from local footy - but at the moment we are tinkering with it a bit - and I don't think we will know our best side until two or three weeks down the track," he said.
Cresswell said the addition of Greg Sharman would add some much-needed height to the Devils defence this week.
"He's our tallest defender and structures us up a bit better than we have been," he said.
"But we've still got plenty of run with Sam Carins, Tom Collier, Scott McMahon and Lachlan Hansen and the experience of Ben Careless - so I'm confident we've got the right mix in defence."
He said he rated Frankston, coached by former Melbourne player Brett Lovett, very highly as an opponent.
"I'd like to be 2 and 1 so obviously it's a big game for us to get back on an even keel," Cresswell said.
