From the Advocate - Martin Agatyn
THE Tasmanian Devils are confident they can turn around a four-game VFL losing streak when they take on the Frankston Dolphins in Melbourne tomorrow.
The Devils are on the bottom of the VFL ladder with only one win to their credit, which was over second-placed Sandringham, while the Dolphins are sixth.
Devils coach Mathew Armstrong said although the season had been a disappointing one so far, team morale was high.
Armstrong said the draw had also been unkind to the Devils, playing top-four sides in recent weeks.
"Our next few games are against sides around sixth and seventh on the ladder and we believe we can beat them," he said.
"Our recent matches against top-four sides showed us we are not quite at the same level, but we weren't thrashed and we would expect to be more competitive against sides a few rungs lower on the ladder."
Armstrong said the Dolphins and the Devils, neither of which were aligned to an AFL club, matched up well against each other.
"They're like us in a lot of ways they have fleet-footed forwards, a reasonable midfield and a good back line," he said.
Armstrong said the one notable exception was Frankston ruckman Daniel Clarke.
"He's an outstanding ruckman and it will be hard to contain him," he said.
Armstrong said there few changes likely from last week's Devils side, which lost to undefeated ladder leader Werribee by only 17 points.
Midfielder Kane Richter will make a welcome return from a shin injury, while the Devils will still be without forwards Adam Viney (ankle) and Justin Plapp (calf).
Armstrong said public expectation of a Devils win was not weighing heavily on players minds.
"I think most people understand we have been hit by a few injuries and we are also team building due to losing players from last year's side but a win would be really lovely," he said.
Teams for Tommorrow
Tasmania
B Richter Jovanovic Street
HB Robinson Grima Paine
C Atkin M Geappen B Geappen
HF Brown Sharman Beams
F Savage Archer Callinan
R Ronaldson Hall Setchell
Int Heazlewood Barling Viney
Shackleton Triffett T Geappen
Millhouse Johnson
Frankston
B Roberts Benbow Goddard
HB Black Ongarello Ablett
C Odell Anstey Phibbs
HF Ulms Molan Berry
F Pollard Hynes Marigliani
R Clark Malloy Winterton
IntMcCormack Murphy Butler
Cadd Barry Goldsack
Robertson Mizzi
Last Modified on 17/06/2005 09:14