YOU could say this VFL season has gone Haywire for the Devils.
First it was Mathew Armstrong's shock decision to quit as coach
after their 13th-round belting by Frankston put a huge hole in their finals
hopes.
There have been reports for striking off the field as well as on it
as the Devils and New Norfolk players traded blows in a late night brawl on
the lawns of Parliament House.
And to top it off, the Kangaroos former All-Australian full-back
Jonathan Hay was axed by the Devils for today's final-round away game
against Williamstown for his wretched form, drinking before a game and
missing training.
What might give the Devils
some hope is that in the same final-round game last season, the
Devils overcame the Collingwood-aligned Seagulls and a roaring gale off Port
Phillip Bay to squeak home before bowing out in the second semi-final.
Today's rematch with the third-placed Seagulls sees them with a side
loaded with youth and hope for the future.
Filling in for coach Brendon Bolton while he took training at Arden
St yesterday, state under-18 coach Hamish Ogilvie felt right at home.
``We've injected more youth into the side because they keep putting
their hands up when they've been given a chance,'' Ogilvie said.
``Williamstown are super strong in the ruck with David Fanning and
Guy Richards and
they also have very good runners through the middle with Steven
Greene, Scott Pendlebury, Brett Johnson and Adam Iacobucci.
``But they aren't tall in defence and Jack Riewoldt and Jade
Rawlings, if his knee injury comes up okay, will stretch them.''
Young North Hobart forward Colin Garland seems sure to make his
debut.
While rival coach Brad Gotch has the Seagulls sitting pretty in
third place, he doesn't under-estimate the Devils.
``They have a 5-2 win-loss record against us and have beaten us here
twice before,'' Gotch said.
``I've got a lot of respect for their running players -- Brett
Geappen, Ken Hall, Ian Callinan and Ben Atkin.''
By: DAVID STOCKDALE
Last Modified on 20/08/2006 09:15