By Brett Stubbs - 1/5/05
JUST five rounds in and the Tassie Devils have conceded their VFL season is over after another disturbingly familiar loss to North Ballarat yesterday.
For coach Mathew Armstrong, the Devils' games have developed a pattern of good starts, comfortable leads, second-half fade-outs and agonising losses -- and he is the first to admit he does not have the answers.
As in the previous three games, the Devils' attack on the ball was fierce and their competitive spirit was strong, but the lack of size, skill and talent eventually wore the side down.
This time it was a 30-point lead in the second quarter, and a nine-point advantage at the final change, before a scoreless last term allowed the Roosters to storm to a 25-point win, 12.13 (85) to 8.12 (60).
It was the Devils' fifth consecutive loss, leaving Tasmania rooted to the foot of the table as the only side without a win -- just one season after playing off for a berth in the VFL grand final.
Asked if yesterday's defeat meant the Devils season was over, Armstrong said: "I think so. We have got to be realistic, but we will go out and try to win next week."
The coach was clearly exasperated by how his side could continually turn winning positions into losses.
"Because of the side we are, we need everything to go right," Armstrong said.
"There is not a lot we can do except keep confident, just keep trying to keep them up. They are having a go, but they are running out of legs because they are working so hard to find goals."
The Devils opened strongly, and could have been even further than 21 points ahead at half-time had it not been for inaccuracy.
They were scoreless in the final quarter, but the third term was more game-defining because the Roosters kicked two late goals to gain momentum and get within two goals.
The Devils had their chances in the third term, but their only dangerous marking forward, Justin Plapp, spilled some easy grabs.
Ian Callinan was well held by former Carlton tagger Anthony Franchina, and Marc Greig had the better of his duel with Devils' captain Ben Beams.
Beams tried to lead from the front, going deep into defence in a sweeping role. And he spoke passionately to his players after the final siren following a week in which the club's leadership was publicly questioned by the coach.
But the biggest disappointment has been the form of former Collingwood player Luke Shackleton.
Armstrong asked the solid on-baller to lift the team in the final term, but he could not get in the game and finished on the bench.
"We expect a hell of a lot more from someone who has played AFL and been at an AFL club," Armstrong said.
"I believe his work rate is not up to it -- that is a serious issue.
"We are not gifted in quality, we need everyone pulling their weight. He is trying, he is just way off the mark."
For the Devils, none were better than Matthew Geappen, while Mathew Jovanovic outpointed former Western Bulldogs forward Nathan Saunders in a physical tussle.
Final Scores
NORTH BALLARAT 2.1 4.6 7.9 12.13 (85)
TASMANIA 5.6 7.9 8.11 8.12 (60)
Goals: Nth Ballarat: Saunders 3 Spolding 2 Greig 2 Plunkett Searl Chester Stephenson Clark.
Tasmania: Plapp 2 Beams Geappen Stephens McVilly Geappen Bester.
Best: Nth Ballarat: McLean McConnell Franchina Edwards Greig McCorkell.
Tasmania: Jovanovic Geappen Heazlewood Stephens Hall Street.
Reports: Nil.
At Northern Oval.
Last Modified on 02/05/2005 14:51