By: BRETT STUBBS
WITH a team filled with height and with a taste of Devils experience, coach Hamish Ogilvie hopes to take Tasmania to consecutive
under-18 national championship titles in Victoria.
But such was his desire to get talls into his squad -- to meet AFL recruiting scout demands -- Ogilvie concedes it might cost the team.
The 25-man squad contains 10 players 190cm or taller.
``We have got to pick the best tall, athletic kids in Tasmania,'' he said yesterday.
``We've got a very tall group and that is not going to change, we are not going to sacrifice perhaps playing a touch better to have fewer tall players. We've got players that the industry demands in that size bracket.''
Captain Sam Fielding, along with Tom Hislop, Mitch Thorp and Jack Riewoldt have all experienced the VFL this season.
Fielding said this taste will stand them in good stead during the championships.
``We're getting used to the bigger bodies and getting hit,''
Fielding said.
``[Devils coach Mathew Armstrong] has been pretty good at nursing us in and has then given me and Tommy some big roles on big blokes and Mitch has played on [Setanta] O'hAilpin from Carlton so we are sort of used to playing on good sized AFL players.''
The team will play three games in eight days, putting a lot of strain on their bodies and support staff, Ogilvie said.
``I am convinced -- and experience tells you -- that the team that recovers the best wins,'' Ogilvie said.
One Tasmanian who will come under media and recruiting scouts more than most will be key forward Jack Riewoldt, cousin of St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt.
``There will be [expectations and pressure] from the outside but it won't affect Jack,'' Ogilvie said.
``He just bubbles along and bounces along and doesn't worry about anything.
``He just loves playing footy.
``We have been conscious of trying to get things done before we left so we don't have to worry about it in Melbourne . . . but he's had it his whole life.''
Tasmania's first game is against NSW-ACT tomorrow at Optus Oval.
Last Modified on 23/06/2006 13:23