DEVILS BLOWN OFF THE MAP by Ice Station Zebra

Launceston's Aurora Stadium saw VFL action for the first time this year when Tasmania took on Melbourne-aligned Sandringham in Saturday's curtain raiser to the AFL clash between Hawthorn and Port Adelaide but the game failed to showcase the state's capacity to sustain a club worthy of AFL representation. The Zebras ran their lamentable opposition ragged in a one-sided encounter and recorded a 152-point drubbing booting 31.17.203 to 7.9.51.

The protagonists were each coming off losses to the competition's pace makers in the previous round and their respective coaches were looking for a vast improvement in commitment and execution from their players. This is precisely what Andy Lovell got from his charges but Devils coach Daryn Cresswell was left scratching his head at his team's capitulation after an even opening quarter.

Cresswell was upbeat before the game considering that the two clubs both had 3-3 records and the Devils were unbeaten at home this season. The previous wins had been at Bellerive Oval against last year's premiers Geelong and against boom team Casey Scorpions on Anzac Day. The Tassie coach was confident that York Park would suit his team "because we're fit and we can run," and there was a question mark about how the visitors would handle the conditions in the cooler climes south of Bass Strait.

As it turned out, conditions were perfect for the bounce of the ball but the Devils suffered a blow losing two of their most dangerous forwards in Alex Gilmour (ankle) and promising youngster Aaron Cornelius before the game but that turned out to be just the start of their problems.

Sandringham fielded a relatively inexperienced side missing former captain Chad Liddell and including only nine Melbourne listed players. Port Melbourne recruit Jarod Plymin was an inclusion for the first time and Rennie Gilchrist, Sam Monaghan and Marc Johnston were all back after stints with the reserves.

The Zebras made a strong start but the locals looked promising as they clawed their way to a four-point lead at the first change, thanks to some inaccuracy on the part of the Sandy forwards. However, from the opening bounce of the second term, the Devils went into their collective shells and allowed the visitors to go on a goal-kicking spree that netted them 28 goals in the final three quarters including 15 unanswered until late in the third quarter.

The local team was so insipid that it could barely raise a whimper in the final stanza as the Zebras dominated in virtually every facet of the game with spearhead Nick Sautner a focal point up forward finishing with 10 goals six behinds in a stunning performance. The dangerous forward kicked his goals from everywhere, including a couple from the boundary but he was helped by some undisciplined efforts from the Tassie defenders including one passage where he was rewarded with a double goal as a result of their frustration. In its latter stages, the game tended to have a surrealistic feel about it as Sandy kept piling on the goals to finish with 13 of them in a dazzling final quarter.

Much of the pre game publicity was focussed on the clash between Sautner and Tassie's full back Brennan Savage who had quelled Fraser Gehrig on Anzac Day and who has developed a reputation as a tough customer. However, the hype fizzled out when the 30 year old spearhead started a procession of goals that now has him placed comfortably on top of the VFL goal kicking table with 33 for the season and heading for an eighth Frosty Miller Medal.

Naturally, when a forward kicks a bag of goals, he is usually the recipient of some good service from further afield and Saturday's game was no exception. Tomi Johnston, skipper Peter Summers and relative newcomers Chris Waller and Shane Tregear were impressive while experienced pair Ezra Poyas and Adem Yze, who missed last week's rout at Williamstown, made their presence felt with their skilful and positive play.

Half back Chris Johnson continued his sparkling form of recent weeks and his running through the lines and excellent disposal was a highlight. His fellow defender Andy Biddlecombe might not have fond memories of Tasmania after a clash at Bellerive two years ago left him with a broken jaw but he had the last laugh with a brilliant display of his defensive capability. Most of the back line had an easy day at the office due to the team's midfield dominance after quarter time, but they were all generally well on top and managed to repel most of the opposition's attempted forays up forward with relative ease.

Ben Holland was impressive with four goals and some strong marking and Lynden Dunn and Addam Maric showed good skills. Matthew Whelan saw out the game this week after his recent problems and would be one of the Demon contingent looking closely at Hawthorn's players in the afternoon game in the hope that they will be opposed to them next Sunday at the MCG.

Meanwhile Sandringham will have the opportunity to consolidate its place in the top four on the same day when it returns to Trevor Barker Beach Road Oval with an assignment against the Northern Bullants. The reserves, who had the bye this week, are also well placed for a berth in the finals.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

After the game, coach Andy Lovell provided melbournefc.com with a review of the Demon listed players:-

Lynden Dunn - was solid. He had a 'run with' role on Charlesworth and Street, and was able to nullify their effectiveness on the game. He had 25 possessions and kicked two goals, but Lynden accumulated his possessions rather than being a standout player on the day. Overall, Lynden did his job and was still able to impact the game.

Ben Holland - was a very good player for us. He was a lead-up marking forward, and had 19 possessions, nine marks and four goals. This was his third good game in four weeks, and Ben is definitely another one of those players who is pushing his name forward for senior selection. Ben's team orientated work was really good, as he blocked and chased, and was still able to kick four goals.

Chris Johnson - was outstanding, playing off half back and in the midfield. He had 34 possessions, and had a good balance between beating his man and attacking the game. He used the ball well, and played a physically strong game. Chris has been a steady performer for us over the last four weeks, but this week he was outstanding.

Addam Maric - had 11 possessions, five marks and kicked a couple of goals. He struggled a little bit, and didn’t have the impact on the game that he has had in the past. He was still dangerous, but his kicking for goal let him down. We are still looking for him to develop that balance in his game, we want to turn him into the player who can mark the ball, crumb front and square, kick goals and apply forward line pressure. Addam is working really hard on these areas, and he is progressing well.

Stef Martin - wasn't as good defensively as he has been in the past three weeks. He got led up to the ball on occasions, and turned the ball over a couple of times, but he still makes good decisions. As a young player developing as a key defender, we are really pleased with his development.

John Meesen - continues to develop. He played his best game for the footy club, but still has lots of room for improvement. He picked up 13 possessions and the big ground at Aurora Stadium suited his running ability. His ruckwork was better, and he jumped into his opponent at centre bounces and took six marks around the grounds, kicking a goal. John is starting to find his feet, and his work ethic continues to improve.

Jake Spencer - came into the team for Paul Johnson, who played for Melbourne. He only had four possessions, but we thought his ruck work was really good. His ability to get first hands on the ball and put it to our midfielders' advantage was really good. He competed hard at boundary throw ins and ball ups, which is a sign that he is getting stronger. Jake's follow up tackling and blocking was also a highlight of this game.

Matthew Whelan - was solid and played on the opposition's best small forward. He had a slow start, but worked his way into the game. Matthew had missed the previous two weeks with illness, so it was positive that he got through the game, beat his man and was able to use the ball well.

Adem Yze - another standout, playing in the midfield and half forward. He had 32 possessions, ran and carried, used the ball very well, and kicked two goals. This is Adem's third really good game of footy in-a-row. Adem's leadership remains at a great level. His ability to work with the younger players is remarkable. He has won a lot of respect from a lot of the people around the Sandringham Football Club, just by the way he has gone about his business.

Sandringham 3.6.24 10.12.72 18.14.122 31.17.203

Tasmania 4.4.28 4.6.30 5.9.39 7.9.51

Goals

Sandringham Sautner 10 Holland 4 Poyas 3 Dunn C Johnson Maric Waller Yze 2 Gilchrist Meesen Spencer Tregear

Tasmania Shackleton 4 Bongetti 2 Smith

Best

Sandringham C Johnson Biddlecombe Sautner Poyas T Johnston Waller

Tasmania Geappen Shackleton Long Richter Street Creese

Good to see Wheels saw through the game. He's had a rough trot lately!