THE Tasmanian Devils' partial alignment with the Kangaroos went on show early at North Hobart Oval yesterday.
And the signs are encouraging they can make it work.
Three former Tasmanian players on the Kangaroos' list - Jade and Brady Rawlings, and Cameron Thurley - talked up the alignment at a junior footy clinic attended by about 150 children and their parents.
They are among the players who have been listed to play for the Devils in the VFL when they aren't required by the Kangaroos.
Jade Rawlings is a strong supporter of the Devils' alignment with the Kangaroos.
"I think it's a really good thing and I know my new teammates are pretty pleased about it," he said.
"If they aren't playing AFL seniors, they know they will be coming to a strong club with a very good infrastructure.
"And they know they will be playing in front of big crowds and on very good grounds like Bellerive Oval and Aurora Stadium."
The much-travelled Rawlings is happy to be playing alongside his brother after stints with Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs.
"I'm really enjoying my move to the Kangaroos, especially as I knew a number of their guys pretty well before I got there," he said.
"My form has been up and down over the past few seasons, so I'm determined to make an impact with the Kangaroos. I don't mind whether I play forward or back because if you had a footy card with my name on it it would be stamped utility,"
The Kangaroos' membership and merchandise departments signed up a number of new members at the clinic.
"It's been pretty encouraging and if the supporters here keep turning out we'll keep coming back," Kangaroos' membership manager Anthony Hargreaves said.
"We expect to have up to 1000 Kangaroos members from Tasmania this year, which we would be quite pleased with.
"We've got a strong supporter base here and our alignment with the Devils can only enhance that."
By: DAVID STOCKDALE - The Mercury Newspaper
Last Modified on 06/02/2006 16:28