State of play

By Robbo August 04, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by Brett Stubbs

THE AFL will underwrite a revived Tasmanian statewide league and may increase funding for the Devils to keep them in the VFL, says AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou.

He met AFL Tasmania chairman Dominic Baker and general manager Scott Wade yesterday and left them with massive grins.

Neither party would reveal the funds required but it was believed the AFL's grant to Tasmania would increase from $1.38 million to $2.2 million to cover both the new statewide league and the Devils -- a 59 per cent increase.

Demetriou said he was a supporter of a properly run statewide league, with the proposed model being underpinned by the three regional competitions and only including seniors.

"If that was something that made sense, we wouldn't hesitate in underwriting something like that to help it get off the ground," he said.

"We are a strong believer in football in Tasmania. It has got a rich history in our game, it has provided great talent to the VFL/AFL and anything we can do to further that we will look at."

But it was believed the proposed statewide competition would not be brought in until 2009.

AFL Tasmania's decision for the Devils to join the SANFL next season because of financial reasons was almost assured but Demetriou said he was not of the same opinion.

VFL/TAC CUP Fixture Changes Saturday August 25

By Robbo August 03, 2007
Here are details of fixture changes for TAC Cup and VFL Fixtures for Saturday August 25

VFL ROUND 20
Tasmania vs. Williamstown has been rescheduled from 2.00pm to 2.07pm due to ABC TV Tasmania TV commitments. The match remains on Saturday 25th August at Bellerive Oval.

TAC CUP ROUND 17
Gippsland vs. Oakleigh now to be played at Casey Fields at 11.10am. The match will now be played as Curtain Raiser to the VFL Casey Scorpions vs. Frankston senior match and remains on Saturday 25th August.

Tipping update

By administrator July 31, 2007
NEXT SIX WINNERS JACKPOT WILL BE IN ROUND 18
There is only 5 matches again in Round 17. The next round with 6 matches will be Round 18 where $30 will go to the tipster to select six winners will collect. If more than one tipster picks six the tipster nearest the aggregate score will collect. If no tipster picks six winners it will jackpot to $60 to the following round.
AGGREGATE THIS WEEK
This week's aggregate score match will be the North Ballarat v Box Hill clash.
Tipster nearest the aggregate score will collect $40

CLOSE AT THE TOP
Mudassar has regained the lead with 66 winners. The old Dandenong Redleg supporter has picked 66 winners to date with both Adam 'Beachy' Beach and Blackrocker 'Doug Newington' just behind on 65 winners. Old Geelong West Roosters fan Brett Gillett has picked 63 winners with Shane 'Wicker' Ryan an old Brunswick magpies fan on 62 winners as is former East Devonport and Ulverstone Fullback Gavin Inglis.

Little respite for Devils

By Robbo July 31, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by Brett Stubbs

AFTER the train wreck of this VFL season, the Devils will begin pre-season for 2008 barely a month after playing their final home-and-away game.


Following another dismal second-half fade out on Sunday, which saw the Devils go from a point up early in the third term to 109-point losers against North Ballarat, Devils coach Daryn Cresswell said talks had already started for next season's preparations.

To top off Sunday's horrendous performance, it seems Geelong recruit Paul Koulouriotis (hamstring) will join fellow former AFL player Cameron Thurley (hip) on the sidelines for the rest of the season.

And Kangaroos-listed Leigh Adams (shoulder) and possible AFL draftee Brodie Moles (knee) could spend close to, if not all, the remaining three games on the injured list, resulting in -- if it is possible -- an even bleaker finish to the season.

It appears the first casualties of the dismal season could be the Devils' fitness staff, with AFL Tasmania already looking at new personnel.

"Obviously it is an area that we need to look at in terms of we need someone who has got the knowledge and who's very much qualified in getting players fit so they can play at a higher level," Cresswell said.

Half-game horror show

By Robbo July 30, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by James Bresnehan

A 20-goal second half by North Ballarat sent the Tasmanian Devils crashing to their third triple-figure defeat of the VFL season in another Jekyll and Hyde performance at Aurora Stadium yesterday.

 The Devils were told to get uncomfortable and to come in at half-time feeling sick from an exhaustive workrate.

They achieved that, playing inspired football despite a four-point deficit at half-time.

And having led by one point two minutes into the third quarter, the Devils were outscored 20 goals to three by the boys from Ballarat.

That second-half effort also left the Devils feeling uncomfortable and sick as they trudged off 24.22 (166) to 8.9 (57) losers.

Disappointed Devils coach Daryn Cresswell said the willingness to run and put pressure on in the second half was poles apart from the first half.

Devils go from bad to worst - Close in third quarter, but blown away to 109-poin

By Robbo July 30, 2007
From Launceston Examiner
Reported by Terry Morris

 THE Tasmanian Devils suffered one of their worst defeats of the season when beaten by 109 points at Aurora Stadium yesterday.

After a strong showing in the first half and leading by one point after an Adam Derbyshire goal early in the third term the Devils were then blown away by North Ballarat.

The news didn't get any better for the Devils after the game with former Geelong forward Paul Koulouriotis suffering a hamstring injury.

Kolouriotis aggravated his hamstring during the second quarter.

The Devils remain on the bottom of the VFL ladder and are yet to win on home soil this season. Yesterday was their second heaviest defeat of the year.

Blond ruckman Brad Moran tried hard to lift the Devils and kicked a valuable goal from the pocket in the third quarter when the team was still in contention.

Victory for Roosters, but big battle ahead

By Robbo July 30, 2007
From Ballarat Courier

NORTH Ballarat shrugged off early nerves to crush wooden spoon favourite Tasmania by 109 points in the Victorian Football League at Launceston yesterday.

The outcome was just what the Selkirk Roosters needed on the back of a 112-point hiding at the hands of the Northern Bullants.

Tasmania stayed in touch until half-time, but then North Ballarat cut loose at Aurora Stadium in an early AFL curtain-raiser to the Kangaroos and Hawthorn clash.

Tens goals in the third quarter and another nine reinstated important percentage and saw the Roosters return to the mainland with a 24.22 (166) to 8.9 (57) scoreline.

North Ballarat remains fifth - three games inside the top eight with four rounds to go.

With a bye in the last round, it meets the struggling Box Hill Hawks in Ballarat on Saturday and then leading premiership contenders Geelong (home) and Sandringham (away).

North Ballarat is only percentage behind fourth-placed Williamstown, but faces an uphill battle getting into the top four for a double chance in the finals with the Seagulls to play Bendigo Bombers, Port Melbourne and Tasmania.

"There were some testy moments, but in the end we played to the standard of football we're capable of and need to play," Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald said.

Williamstown spoils Clarke's party

By Robbo July 30, 2007
From The Age
Reported by Chris Walker

WILLIAMSTOWN rudely spoiled Daniel Clarke's 200th game celebrations yesterday, thrashing Frankston by 74 points at Frankston Oval.

The class added by the return of Collingwood players James Clement and Rhyce Shaw was simply too much for the home side.

But the day undoubtedly belonged to 21-year-old Patrick Rose. The small forward kicked eight goals straight, including four in the third quarter, in an electrifying display.

The win arrests a four-game losing streak for the Seagulls and puts them back on track as the finals loom.

"We were a bit worried about going down to Frankston with Clarke's 200th, but we did have a much better line-up," Williamstown coach Brad Gotch said after the game.

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