THE Tasmanian Devils have capped the number of Kangaroo players they are willing to accept each week under an alliance with the Kangaroos.
The Devils broke the news to the Kangaroos in Melbourne yesterday when they met the AFL club to thrash out plans for a proposed partial VFL alliance from next season.
The main sticking point was the number of Kangaroos who would line up for the Devils each week.
"We think eight or nine players are too many. We think something less than that by two or three would suit us a lot better," said AFL Tasmania general manager Scott Wade.
"How this can be achieved is one of the issues we are working through, and they understand and respect our situation."
Wade said it was important to preserve the Devils as a pathway for Tasmania's elite young talent.
"We want to ensure we preserve the opportunity for players who are full-time Tasmanian residents to represent Tasmania on a weekly basis," he said.
Wade said the two clubs could even reach an in-principle agreement by the close of business tomorrow.
AFL Tasmania has committed to consult the Devils players, staff and sponsors before an alliance contract is signed.
The Devils met North Ballarat on Tuesday and Football Victoria yesterday.
Wade told the league it would not enter an alliance if it meant it lost one of its 10 home games.
By: JAMES BRESNEHAN
Last Modified on 13/10/2005 15:07