May 13, 2007
From Sunday Tasmanian
Reported by Brett Stubbs
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.
"There is no passion, there is no spirit, none at all and no one is creating it. For example, Luke Shackleton was fighting three Werribee players on his own and no one was doing anything about it.
"Not too many words can explain it (the result) but very disappointing, it was unacceptable.
"My major concern is our leadership out on the ground. Apart from (captain) Brett Geappen, there is none there."
The lack of leadership was magnified by Geappen's co-captain Scott Stephens being dropped to play for his club side Launceston to gain some form.
Through full-forward Adam Derbyshire, the Devils kicked three of the first four goals but then just seemed to vanish as Werribee booted the next nine.
It was a procession of the easiest proportions as the Tigers racked up seven multiple goal-kickers, with Matthew Robbins (six goals), James Podsiadly (six) and Wayde Skipper (four) feasting on silver service delivered by a dominant midfield free of pressure.
At half-time, Werribee led by 56 points and although it was hard to believe, it got worse for the visitors.
The second half produced a further 16 goals to six but it was the ease of the way they came that would upset all Devils supporters.
Repeatedly, the Tigers would raffle who would kick the goal, such were their options.
Cresswell said that with a 1-5 win-loss record and five losses on the trot, the year was all but over as far as finals were concerned.
"We are young but I still believe we have got a lot of ability within the group," he said.
"This season is probably gone now but now it is about trying to develop a team that can go forward.
"We've got 12 games to go, we need to develop and work on that. We need to persevere with players like Brodie Moles, Sam Carins, Tom Collier and Sam Whish-Wilson so we can help them become better players."
Full-forward Derbyshire finished with six in his best return, while Geappen, Leigh Adams and Clinton Brown were the only other Devils to offer resistance.