GREEN MACHINE: TASSIE UNDER-25s HAND THE VICS A FOOTBALL LESSON
Tassie footy’s in great nick as under-25s take care of the Vics
IT’S official — Tasmanian football is purring like a RollsRoyce V12 with the state’s under- 25 Devils handing Victoria Metro a six-goal hammering in their interstate face-off as part of the threegame gala day at UTas Stadium yesterday.
The State League’s finest combined to create a powerful force that proved too good for the Vics, the home side taking it 15.13 (103) to 10.7 (67) in a win that augurs well for assembling a VFL team in 2021.
After a fast first half, the Tasmanians led by 16 points at the long break and the green machine stretched that to 25 points at the last change.
The Devils had most of the traffic in the final term but could not apply intense scoreboard pressure, although they did extend their advantage to 36 points by the final siren.
Tasmania Devils coach, AFL Tasmania’s North-West talent manager Jamie Hayward, was delighted with the TSL collaboration.
“When you’ve got three or four weeks to pull a team together for something like that, and to see the way the boys came together and played, and the coaches who supported that, as well as the football community, it is very pleasing, especially for the boys to get over the line is outstanding,” Hayward said.
“Over the past two weeks we really saw the vibe build and then when we got to game week the excitement built.
“What we’ve put out over the past three or four weeks is a really good demonstration for being able to bring all corners of the state together to form a VFL team.”
Tasmania’s attack was unstoppable, compiling a threefigure score led by a three-goal haul to the TSL’s equal-top goalkicker Aiden Grace, of Glenorchy, whose performance earned him the Lefroy Medal as Tasmania’s best.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen in the future but I’d love the opportunity to play for the state again,” Grace said.
Victorian ruckman Chris Carey gave Metro an advantage at the stoppages, but that did not stop Devils Kieran Lovell, Sam Siggins and Josh Ponting from being the chief engineers of the visitors’ demise. Ball-movers Callen Daley, Jay Foon and Callum Kilpatrick formed the next tier of punishers.
Devils’ defence, marshalled by captain Josh McGuinness (Lauderdale) and Edward Trupp (Lauderdale), withstood most challenges, especially in the opening term when they were repeatedly under fire.
“It was an honour to represent the state, and to put your best foot forward and get a win for Tasmania,” McGuinness said. “It was great to play with the other boys from around the league, and to come together as a team and play for pride in the jumper.”
Victoria’s best included forward Josh McDonald (Altona) and Liam McVeigh (West Preston Lakeside).