"BRING on next week."
That was the message from Devils coach Mathew Armstrong's after his brave side recorded its third win for the VFL season and second consecutive
victory with a final-quarter burst against Springvale at Launceston's Aurora
Stadium last night.
Trailing by nine points at the last change, the Devils rattled on 7.1 to 1.3 to run over the St Kilda-aligned Scorpions by 25 points, 13.10 (88) to 9.9 (63).
Instrumental in the win was the performance was Nathan Grima. It was just that sort of day for the Grima family.
After younger brother Todd kicked 10 for Tasmania in the under-18 national championships, Nathan -- after quelling Jason Blake - was shifted
to full-back as a last resort to stop the rampaging Barry Brooks.
With Regular full-back Mathew Jovanovic off injured, Brooks had six goals early in the third term after overpowering Ben Britton and Brennan Savage.
But Grima was able to use his full athletic ability to repeatedly spoil the St Kilda-listed and former King Island big man, restricting him to just one more goal.
While Grima's efforts were crucial, undoubtedly the best player on the ground was Ian Callinan. The diminutive rover chalked up 29 kicks and six handballs in an outstanding performance, including an amazing 15 touches in the first quarter.
"That was the best game I have seen Ian Callinan play," Armstrong said. "He was just superb. No wonder AFL clubs are looking at him."
The Devils had most of the play in the first three quarters but did not have a go-to man, and Armstrong must have been crying at the sight of
Brooks, a product of the Tasmanian system, taking mark after contested mark.
But with the game in the balance, Armstrong threw midfielder Ken Hall to full-forward and his strong body and hard leads provided three final-term goals.
Callinan, Hall and Grima were vital, but it was a team effort that lifted the Devils to victory - and to maybe one win out of the eight, depending on results today.
The unheralded Andrew Triffett's courage was commendable all night, Nathan Henley had a telling effect, Kurt Heazlewood was good in the midfield, and Scott Stephens was also effective.
The win was even more impressive given the Devils lost Jovanvovic (calf) and Nathan Street (back) before half-time.
"Without degrading the personnel we had on the ground tonight, it wasn't one of the best teams we have put on the ground in terms of skill and ability, but it was one of the best sides in terms of courage and having a go," Armstrong said.
"They were super. We only had 20 men against some AFL-listed players, and to run over the top of them shows great character."
The Devils play fellow stand-alone club North Ballarat at Bellerive Oval next Sunday with momentum behind them for the first time this season.
"Our destiny is in our own hands now because of the way the ladder is," Armstrong said. "Next week is going to be a corker now at Bellerive."
Final Scores
TASMANIA 1.6 3.9 6.9 13.10 (88)
SCORPIONS 2.3 5.4 8.6 9.9 (63)
Goals: Tasmania: Hall 3 Callinan 2 Beams 2 Heazlewood 2 Triffett Grima Savage Ronaldson.
Scorpions: Brooks 7 Morse Guerra.
Best: Tasmania: Callinan Grima Triffett Beams Ronaldson Geappen.
Scorpions: Brooks Stone Blake Gram Sammartino Rigg.
Reports: Nil. At Aurora Stadium.
Last Modified on 27/06/2005 17:21