Devils show plenty of fight
The Examiner
By Phil Edwards
15 June 2008
THE TASSIE Devils snatched a thrilling come-from-behind victory to beat the Richmond-aligned Coburg Tigers by six points in their VFL contest at West Park yesterday.
Despite trailing by six goals at half-time, Tasmania showed the passion and determination of old to fight its way back into the match with a five-goal to nil third- quarter to trail by just two points at the final break.
The Devils then rallied again as the fifth-placed Coburg built a 21-point lead in the final quarter - booting five unanswered goals from the 20-minute mark of the term to run out 15.11 (101) to 13.17 (95) winners.
Devils players and coaching staff embraced on the ground after the final siren and the club song was sung with raucous enthusiasm in the rooms to celebrate one of Tassie's best VFL victories.
Coach Lance Spaulding had asked his players to show character and fighting spirit to earn respect from North-West fans before the game and they responded magnificently with a gutsy, never- say-die effort.
"Something we've learnt in the past couple of weeks is they don't throw it in," Spaulding said.
"They may not play well all the time - and make a few mistakes here and there - but when the game's at its simplest and it comes just down to passion and emotion, they've got a bit of that.
"We need to win games but we need to win a little bit more - to show people what this footy team and club means around the State and that's part of our brand to be playing football that all of Tasmania wants to see.
"In a place like the Coast where they are hard and they judge you harshly but are fair - we needed to stand up and we did today," he said.
After Coburg dominated the first half to lead by six goals at the long break, Spaulding said he revved up his charges with a half-time speech about honesty, passion and commitment.
"I said a fair bit and it was no tactical speech but it was fairly loud and to the point and they responded," he said.
Coburg full-forward Cleve Hughes kicked six goals to be the best forward on the ground, including three in the last term, which helped the Tigers to what appeared to be a match-winning 23-point lead.
But the Devils refused to give in.
Two goals each to full-forward Justin Hardy, who kicked four for the game, and captain Brett Geappen in the final 10 minutes of the game levelled scores with minutes remaining.
Josh Vearing then sealed a memorable victory for Tasmania with the last goal of the game at the 30-minute mark.
Kane Richter was outstanding in defence for the Devils along with Brennan Savage, Rowan Andrews did a sterling job in the ruck against taller opponents, while Nathan Street, Ben Setchell, Vearing and Geappen were the Devils best.
http://northerntasmania.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/sports/devils-show-plenty-of-fight/1247798.html
