Tasmania Devils news

Careless to step aside

By Robbo August 23, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by Adam Smith

RUGGED Devils defender Ben Careless will bring to an end his 88-game VFL career when he runs out for his state for the final time on Saturday.

Having been with the club since its inception in 2001 -- including a year off in 2005 with injury -- the wear and tear of the game has finally caught up with the 31-year-old.

Increasing work commitments with the Hobart City Council and a young family also contributed to the decision.

Careless told the playing group of his retirement after training on Monday night and will follow in the footsteps of fellow Glenorchy premiership player and good mate Ben Atkin, who retired after the final round last season.

The only difference will be Careless will hang up the boots for good, despite the option of returning to the local league.

Grounds for complaint

By Robbo August 22, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by James Bresnehan

"IT never ceases to amaze," says Rob Direen, referring to the type of requests and objections he gets from VFL teams when they come to play the Devils in Tasmania.

Like this season when a side refused to play on Bellerive Oval until the centre wicket area was rolled.

On another occasion, also this season, a Victorian team refused to sign-off on Aurora Stadium until it was supplied with two canisters of oxygen for its players.

As the Devils' team manager, Direen's role is to make sure the visiting sides feel at home, particularly given they have to officially "sign-off" on the venue before they agree to play on it.

"A lot of the clubs are no trouble at all, but some clubs make life a bit difficult," Direen said.

"We've got two of the top venues in the VFL with Aurora Stadium and Bellerive.

"The only one better is Skilled Stadium, which is a fantastic venue.

Schulz boots a bag in Devils' demise - Hurt by poor disposal and decision-m

By Robbo August 20, 2007
From Launceston Examiner
Reported by Alex Fair

TASMANIA'S disastrous VFL season continued yesterday, as the Devils went down to Richmond-aligned Coburg in the curtain-raiser at Aurora Stadium.

Tigers forward Jay Schulz had a day out kicking nine goals in the 24.10 (154) to 14.7 (91) victory.

The Richmond centre half-forward was beating the Devils off his own boot for the majority of the first half when he raced to six goals.

Another embarrassing loss was on the cards when the Devils trailed by 88 points at the final change, but they bucked the trend of final quarter fade-outs by kicking 6.3 to 2.2.

Apart from that final quarter, Daryn Cresswell's men were never able to impose themselves on the match.

They were hurt by poor disposal and decision-making in the attacking half early on while the Tigers were able to pinpoint their forwards with ease.

Coburg's pressure and attack on the ball proved too much for the young team to handle.

Rivals glory not guaranteed

By Robbo August 18, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by Adam Smith

COBURG coach Andrew Collins is taking nothing for granted for tomorrow's AFL curtain raiser at Aurora Stadium despite the glaring difference on the ladder between his side and Tasmania.

The Coburg Tigers sit a game clear in third on the VFL ladder with two rounds remaining, with a win over the Tassie Devils guaranteeing they can't be removed.

And while Tasmania is anchored to the bottom of the table, Collins only has to look back to Coburg's round-seven clash at Bellerive to know the Tigers can't get ahead of themselves.

In a game spectacularly remembered for a goal post being snapped in the final quarter, the Devils pushed the visitors all the way only to run out of petrol late in the match.

"It was only the last 15 minutes really where we managed to get on top," Collins said.

"We had difficulty all day with them. (Adam) Derbyshire was in terrific form and Ken Hall was causing trouble but having a look at the teams, the two are very different."

Coburg is coming off a bye last week, which Collins said came at the perfect time following a disappointing match against Geelong a fortnight ago.

Ex-Swan in Devils' sights

By Robbo August 17, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by Adam Smith

FORMER Sydney Swans' cult hero Gerrard Bennett is being targeted by the Devils for next season.

The defender, who on Saturday will play his 100th consecutive match with South Adelaide in the SANFL, is good friends with Devils coach Daryn Cresswell.

Cresswell said yesterday he has been in touch with the key position player, who at 188cm and 95kg could help bolster a young and inexperienced backline.

Bennett played 32 games with the Swans between 1999 and 2002, kicking 11 goals.

He has been one of the shining lights for the Panthers this season, who sit second-last with just four wins.

"I have spoken to Bennett for next year, he would be good for the group we have got at the moment," Cresswell said.

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