A near boilover on Sunday against a top-five rival has now convinced coach Adrian Fletcher the Tasmania Devils are tracking well for the next year and beyond.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Calder Cannons won five more times than the Devils in the short 15-game season, but were lucky to reach the finals series from a six-point win in the wildcard round.
The Tasmanians had won four of their first eight NAB League matches but lost their next seven in a form slump that came close to ending.
"Our players had played a really good brand of football on Sunday," Fletcher said.
"It was only our kicking at goals in the end. We had more inside 50s, we moved the ball in an AFL manner and it was exciting to watch.
"The players really took it up to them. The scoreboard said they boys lost at the end of the day, but I do think we controlled the game."
The encouraging signs for the Devils were they played eight 17-year-olds and two 16-year-olds that augurs well for a stronger 2020 season.
Fletcher had pumped up his charges heading into the wildcard knockout that they had nothing to lose. Just twice all year had the Devils not ever been in contention.
"We've always been in games, so I told them we are around the mark," he said.
"You have to believe in this and take this opportunity."
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
Stars Mitch O'Neill and Jared Dakin returned in time for what was their final games of an interrupted season.
Fletcher said the pair impressed and proved why they have all the AFL attributes.
About 55 per cent of draftees come through the Victorian under-18 competition.
"The good thing was there would've been a lot of [scouts] watching our boys, which is exciting," he said.
But Fletcher was not so committal on where he feels a number of Devils' future lies in November's draft.
"I hate to put a number of them going through because I don't pick them," he said.
"I tried to put them out to be promoted and in positions that we think that they're best suited to get drafted.
"In the end of the day, it will be someone else's eyes to judge them. It's not easy to get them to the top league - you have to do a lot right.
"Your game has to be 100 percent ready for it.
"If you're not, they'll make you go around another year."
Do you know a junior sports star who calls Northern Tasmania home? Nominate them today.
While you're with us, did you know that you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates direct to your inbox? Sign up here.
Subscriptions are available here.
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
