DESPITE a heart-breaking four-point loss in an interstate thriller in Melbourne yesterday, Tasmanians dominated for the VFL against the victorious SANFL.
Hard-running Devil Ben Atkin starred in the midfield for the Big V, gathering 28 possessions and kicking two goals to earn the Frank Johnson medal as the VFL's best player.
Fellow Devils Mathew Jovanovic, Ian Callinan, Ken Hall and Ben Beams were also important contributors. Beams snared four goals at half-forward, including a miracle shot with his non-preferred right foot on the boundary line during the tense final quarter to give the VFL the lead. Callinan also was effectively at ground level up forward, earning 18 touches and booting three goals.
Former Devil Jordan Doering, who had a game-high 37 touches, was outstanding sweeping the backline and through the midfield.
However, it was former Victorians Stephen Kenna and Jeremy Clayton who were the architects in the Croweaters last-gasp four-point win.
The Vics were two points in front at the 29-minute mark of the final quarter and seemingly on the way to victory when former Kangaroos, Port Melbourne and North Ballarat mid-fielder Clayton intercepted a missed kick and chipped the ball on to ex-Carlton and Box Hill rover Kenna's chest.
The left-footer roosted a 30m kick for his third goal of the game. Ninety seconds later the final siren sounded with the SNAFL taking home the Herald/Sun Cup, 20.8 (128) to 18.16 (124). Kenna, 24, who played five games with Carlton last season was mobbed by teammates and supporters after the final siren.
"It was a great feeling for us to get up,'' Kenna said. "It was a bit of a twist with Jeremy and I playing in Victoria last
year.''
Victorian coach Mark Williams praised his players for their fightback after being 31 points behind late in the second quarter.
"We kicked poorly for goal and they kicked straight,'' Williams said. "They took their chances.''
Williams said that he and his players could sense victory from late in the second quarter. "We could taste victory, he said, but in the last couple of minutes our defence made a couple of mistakes and we blew it,'' he said.
Williams said Sean O'Keeffe had done a first class tagging role on Clayton despite the Croweaters finishing with 26 touches.
SANFL coach Darel Hart described it as "great game of footy''.
The Crows' midfielders, former Geelong and Sydney Swans player Simon Arnott, Scott Borlace and ex-Carlton rover Brett Backwell, were outstanding.
Saturday's interstate game result.
SANFL 4.2 11.3 15.4 20.8 (128)
VFL 3.4 8.10 12.16 18.16 (124)
Goals: SA: Backwell 3 Kenna 3 Chambers 2 Borlace 2 Schell 2 Hopwood Clayton Wintle Sheedy Gowans Cowan Inkster Arnott.
Vic: Beams 4 Callinan 3 Podsiadly 2 Berry 2 Atkin 2 Doering Pitt Porter Greig Alleway.
Best: SA: Borlace Sheedy Clayton Gowans Lindsay Squire.
Vic: Atkin Doering Field Carter Crowe Hall. At TEAC Oval.
Last Modified on 22/05/2005 11:26