ALTHOUGH the VFL is giving little away, the Devils are confident of hosting one, and even two matches, if they finish in the top eight.
That was the upbeat response yesterday from Tasmania Football Club president Guy Abel.
Earlier, VFL chief executive Ken Gannon said no decision had been made on finals venues other than that second-placed Bendigo Bombers would host their first final under lights as a reward for the major redevelopment of their oval.
Abel says he is not aware of any change in policy by the VFL which might deny the sixth-placed Devils hosting one and possibly two finals.
"Tasmania attracts very good crowds to the finals it hosts and, under the alternate arrangement we have between Hobart and Launceston, Bellerive would host the first final and [this year also] a second if we win the first,'' he said.
"When I spoke to Ken Gannon about this time last year, my reading of it was the VFL's policy on finals wasn't going to change.''
In the Devils' favour is the gate receipt factor.
The Devils attracted the biggest crowds in the first two weeks of last year's finals - 8640 in the first elimination final at Bellerive Oval and 6257 in the first semi-final at Aurora Stadium.
The VFL would be denying itself a windfall from ticket sales if it were to snub the Tasmanian crowds.
Gannon hinted there could be some change in the selection of finals
venues: "While we are very pleased with the crowds the Devils continue to attract in Tasmania, we have yet to make a determination on where finals will be played.
"We feel we need to be even-handed and will consider rewarding clubs for finishing in the top positions in the eight.''
But before worrying about its share of finals action the Devils must first make them. Only four points separate sixth and 10th. On form the Devils look a good bet after winning their last six.
Their biggest hurdle in the run home over the last three rounds is Sunday's away clash with Essendon-aligned Bendigo. They then play Williamstown (9th) at home and Coburg (12th) away.
Two points behind the Devils, Frankston (7th) has a tough ask in the last two rounds against Box Hill and Port Melbourne. Their up-side is that the last three games are at home.
Box Hill (8th) and North Ballarat (10th) will be hurt by having byes in the last rounds.
Williamstown (9th) has a rough road to travel, including the Devils at home in the last round.
By: DAVID STOCKDALE
Last Modified on 04/08/2005 08:47