Demons the top draw for thrillers

THE Hobart City Demons Mercury Cup team could well be entering the record books in an obscure category.

From its first 11 games this season, the Demons have recorded three draws (Glenorchy, Launceston and North Launceston), including consecutives ties in the past fortnight against the two Launceston teams.

To put this into perspective, no VFL/AFL team has recorded three draws in the one season in the league’s 119year history — and the Demons still have seven roster games to go.

I hope we don’t have any more actually. COACH BANE SHEPHERD

It has been an experience for first-year coach Bane Shepherd.

“Obviously draws are fairly uncommon . . . you wouldn’t go into a year thinking you would have more than one,” Shepherd said.

“The last couple of draws we have been in front, so I suppose I guess it was unfortunate we didn’t come away with a win as we had been up at halftime by 20-odd points.

“The last two weeks have been a recurring theme.”

It has been a tight season for the Demons, with the first of their three wins coming after a Clarence opponent missed a shot after the siren.

Not surprisingly, Shepherd said he had never seen such a draw tally in the one season.

“No I haven’t, but I hope we don’t have any more actually,” he said.