THE Devils have said all year they would review the Kangaroos
partial alignment at the season's end -- well, they can start that review
now.
The Devils' 35-point loss to bogey team Werribee -- the only team
the Devils are yet to beat in the VFL despite seven attempts -- and
Frankston's win over Casey yesterday ensured the Devils' faint finals dreams
are over.
They are now two wins and percentage behind Frankston with just two
rounds to go, meaning a season that started so brightly with a 3-1 win-loss
record will end short of September action, without its original coach Mathew
Armstrong and with doubts over the future of the alignment.
An early last-quarter burst brought the Devils within seven points
yesterday before Werribee exploded, kicking the next four goals and six of
the last seven to win comfortably, 19.13 (127) to 13.14 (92).
Perhaps the main blow for the Devils came pre-match when leading
goalkicker Jade Rawlings withdrew with a knee injury.
But the biggest villain was the Devils' foot skills.
Tasmania repeatedly turned the ball over by foot -- a skill that was
magnified by Werribee's ability to hit its key forwards on the rebound.
``I thought our ball security by foot was an issue,'' Devils coach
Brendon Bolton said.
``We weren't presenting to the ball carrier all the time . . . and
they rebound really well.''
The Tigers' Jason Podsiadly (five goals) and former Tasmanians
Jarrod Garth (three) and Tom Davidson (two) were spoon-fed and they dined
out on the opportunities, while former All-Australian full back Jonathan Hay
had another shocker.
It was the corresponding game at Bellerive earlier this year that
resulted in Hay's suspension for drinking and gambling the night before the
match, and maybe the Devils wish he was still banned.
He was consistently led to the ball, benched twice and ended up at
full forward.
``Today Jonny Hay didn't play the way Jonny Hay can play,'' Bolton
said.
``He made some steps forward in the last few weeks but today he was
a little disappointing.''
Centre half-forward Chad Jones was one shining light for the Devils,
working tirelessly, taking many marks and kicking three goals.
Jack Riewoldt's stocks continue to grow with three majors from
limited, imprecise opportunities, while Brett Geappen's consistent year
continued with 30 possessions.
Elder brother Matthew also contributed on his return to the team but
was reported for rough play.
While all the Devils' supporters were hoping for a late tilt to the
finals -- hopes now dashed -- Bolton again said
it was never a focus.
``Finals has never been on our agenda,'' he said.
``Our whole agenda has been about gaining respect. We lost a lot of
respect during the year and between now and the end of the year we need to
be following process and structure and trying to earn that respect back.''
By: BRETT STUBBS
Last Modified on 14/08/2006 09:04