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Devils coach hints at deal end

By Robbo June 19, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by Brett Stubbs

DEVILS coach Daryn Cresswell has signalled the death of the controversial alignment with the Kangaroos, though officially it can only be killed by AFL Tasmania's board -- and not until after this season.

Cresswell would not come out and say directly whether the alignment should be terminated, but he left little to the imagination with his answers.

"It is not my decision to make," Cresswell said yesterday.

"It is very difficult when you haven't got the players in your backyard to work with. You would probably be able to assess an answer from that."

When asked if the alignment was affecting morale, Cresswell replied: "Tasmania's most successful year was when they were stand-alone, and they developed that spirit and that want to play for the jumper.

"I have mentioned Kenny Hall and Brett Geappen already (in the press conference). We need more players who wear the jumper with the same passion those two guys do.

"I will give a recommendation (to the board), there is no doubt about that.

"The board has been terrific in their support, and I think they know which direction we need to go in."

AFL Tasmania general manager Scott Wade said no new decision had yet been made on the alignment.

Dismal day for Devils

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

TASMANIA'S season washed further away in the rain at Skilled Stadium yesterday, with Geelong giving the Devils a lesson in wet-weather football to hand the visitors their eighth consecutive loss.

The home side's experience and skill level shone in the greasy conditions, running away with the game in the second half to record a 72-point win, 14.14 (98) to 3.8 (26).

The score was Tasmania's second lowest ever in the VFL, bettering only the 2.4 (16) it kicked against Werribee in 2004.

At the main break the Devils trailed by 21 points, and through full-forward Adam Derbyshire kicked the first goal of the second half.

But the big turning point came immediately after the goal when the Devils were given a free kick in the middle before the ball was re-bounced.

Youngster Aaron Joseph swooped on a loose ball in the forward 50 from the resulting kick, only to miss a shot at goal on the run from 30m.

Lonergan back ... and loving it

By Robbo June 18, 2007
From Geelong Advertiser
Reported by Michael Auciello

THEY were terrible conditions for footy, but Tom Lonergan loved every second of it yesterday.

On a cold and wet Skilled Stadium, the 23-year-old Cat finally closed probably the most significant chapter in his life.

His comeback from a horrific incident that left him with one kidney has gained a lot of attention, so much so that Lonergan himself has wondered what all the fuss was about.

``I think other people think it's a bigger achievement than I (do). I was just doing what I do; I didn't think too much about it, although it was a pretty big deal,'' he said.

``I was nervous at the start, before the game, but once I got out there I was sweet.

``The first quarter I sort of was a little bit nervous still, but during the game it started to get easier and easier, and I just worked my way back into it.

Moloney stars up front for Roosters

By Robbo June 18, 2007
From Ballarat Courier

NORTH Ballarat captain Shaune Moloney was an unlikely match-winner as the injury-struck Roosters beat a stubborn Casey Scorpions by 14 points in the Victorian Football League at Ballarat's AUSTAR Arena on Saturday.

As one of the VFL's best defenders, Moloney is accustomed to "saving" games.

This time he provided the impetus in attack to lead the Selkirk Roosters to their fifth win in 10 rounds - 16.13 (109) to 14.11 (95).

Moloney kicked three telling goals in a gripping last quarter in which the Scorpions constantly surged.

With Tristan Cartledge sidelined with a knee injury and Callum Urch struggling to find touch in his first senior appearance in two months, Moloney went forward in the second half and, using the same desperation he shows against

the competition's best goalkickers, helped North Ballarat keep its nose in front.

Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald dedicated most of his post-match address to Moloney's inspirational performance, which might easily be a catalyst for North Ballarat finally getting some genuine momentum.

Cats sharpen claws for Tassie

By Robbo June 16, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by Adam Smith

TASMANIA'S defence will face one of the toughest tasks in football tomorrow when it is asked to curb the most powerful forward line in VFL football.

Geelong has kicked 123 more points than any other side this season and currently sits second on the ladder with a 6-3 record.

And if you take into account that in the past three weeks the Cats have scored 9.22 and 12.20, the points-for column could be far greater.

The Cats belted the Devils to the tune of 67 points earlier in the season at Bellerive and, with AFL-listed stars such as Henry Playfair, Tom Hawkins, Charlie Gardiner and Nathan Djerrkura in the forward 50, there are plenty of avenues to goal.

Throw in Tasmanian Todd Grima, who has kicked 23 goals and missed last weekend through suspension, and Cats coach Leigh Tudor has a plethora of options at his disposal.

"We missed Todd last week. He has been outstanding and it really hurt us not having him," Tudor said.

"Definitely, we are looking forward to him coming back.

"We have missed a few goals in the past three weeks, which has hurt us and while we have a few other things to be working on, goal kicking is one of those issues."

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