Tasmania Devils were unable to recreate their round seven last-minute heroics in the rematch against Bendigo Pioneers, going down by 29 points in a scrappy encounter at Kingston Twin Ovals.
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The Pioneers were inspired by a dominant third-quarter performance from Seamus Mitchell as they hit the scoreboard and stamped their authority.
Prominent Devils trio Matt McGuinness, Sam Collins and Jackson Callow were valiant in defeat for the Devils, the two defenders picking up 35 and 19 disposals apiece with Callow offering a huge forward presence and always looking a scoring chance.
Pioneers dominated forward-50 play within the first quarter, containing ball within their attacking arc for a majority of the term but were unable to make amends on the scoreboard, trading goal-for-goal with the Devils as talented Victorian pair Jack Ginnivan and Seamus Mitchell found the big sticks.
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McGuinness was pivotal for the Devils in the first, claiming 11 touches across the back-line after a stint up forward for Lauderdale in the State League.
Team-mate Jordan Lane scored both of Devils' goals in the quarter including a casual long bomb off his right foot from the 50-metre arc to put the pressure back on the Pioneers, who led by four points at the first break.
The Devils' North Launceston contingent were in the thick of the action for the home side in the second quarter as a Ben Simpson 50-metre penalty resulted in Pioneer Jeremy Rodi slotting one through from 30 metres out.
Later in the quarter, Rodi returned the favour and was told by the umpire to spend some time on the bench as returning Devil Rhyan Mansell was gifted his first major in the goal-square.
Just as it looked like the Pioneers would maintain their lead heading into the main break, the Devils hit the front for the first time of the day through commanding forward Callow who continued to show recruiters his form.
Mitchell produced a stunning opening five minutes to the third term, kicking two quick goals to get the Pioneers in the lead and put the pressure back on the Devils.
Jake Dick-O'Flaherty looked dangerous throughout the third and slotted his first following another 50-metre penalty but an after-the-siren goal to Jackson Callow kept the Devils in the contest and left the margin at 10 points going into the last.
Two early Pioneers goals from Dick-O'Flaherty and star James Ginnvan put the strain on the Devils and the home side were unable to claw back the 23-point margin staring them in the face with 20 minutes left in play.
The Devils were kept goal-less by the Pioneers defence in the last as the contest petered out and the away side decimated the Tasmanians.
Final Scores
Pioneers 9.12 (66) defeated Devils 5.7 (37)
Goals:
Pioneers - Ginnivan 3, Mitchell 3, Dick-O'Flaherty 2, Rodi 1
Devils - Lane 2, Callow 2, Mansell 1
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