STORM 11.8 (74)

THE Western Storm suffered another heartbreaking loss, going down to Devonport by a goal in their State League clash at Devonport Oval on Saturday after being in a winning position for most of the game.

The Storm flew out of the blocks kicking the first five goals of the game  while holding Devonport to three behinds.

They led by 21 points at half-time and 15 at the last change after being the better team for much of the game.

But the Magpies dug deep and fought their way back into the contest grabbing the lead for the first time at the 21-minute of the final quarter and holding on for a come-from-behind 11.14 (80) to 11.8 (74) victory.

Brodie Deverell kicked three goals for Devonport with two each to Mitch Thorp and Kade Pitchford and young Brayden Butler their best player picking up 16 marks for the game in a great performance at centre half-forward and earning praise from Thorp.

Haydn Smith, Alex Russell, Glenn Dawson and Zane Brown all kicked two each for the Storm with Will Hanson their standout player for his efforts on Thorp.

‘‘These things happen in footy I suppose but we will keep chipping away,’’ Western Storm coach Mitch Hills said.

‘‘We are playing an inexperienced side at the moment but the boys were outstanding today especially in the first half and the first quarter was the best we played all year.

‘‘But we couldn’t maintain it for long enough and our goal was to put four quarters together which we haven’t been able to do all year but we went away from our plan in the last quarter and let ourselves down and it’s cost us again.’’

Hills said it had become a confidence thing for the players now after being in winning positions but not able to get over the line.

‘‘The belief should be there because we’re smashing these sides when we play our best footy in quarters but it’s no good doing for one quarter we have to be able to put it together for four.

‘‘I was rapt with the way we played for most of the day but we let ourselves down again in the last patch.’’

Devonport coach Mitch Thorp paid tribute to his players for a gutsy comeback.

‘‘What a game – we were 36 points down five minutes into the second quarter and Storm had all the play and were far too good for us but our boys showed a lot of character, grit and determination to get back into the game,’’ he said.

‘‘I thought they were going to win comfortably but our boys dug their heels in and we got there in the end by grunt and effort.’’

Aaron McNab tore a hamstring in a blow for the Magpies and Phil Crowden and Beau Thorp were both reported.