Preview: Tasmania Devils vs Gippsland Power

Photo: Solstice Digital

The Tasmania Devils will return from a month-long hiatus in the NAB League Boys when they take on the Gippsland Power this Sunday. The Devils will be chasing their eighth win of the season to solidify their place in the top four, while the Power will look to continue their undefeated campaign after winning their first nine games of the year.

Date: Sunday 24 July
Time: 1:45 PM
Venue: North Hobart Oval
Broadcast: via NAB League app

While Tasmania’s last game came all the way back in June, they were impressive there in a 69-point win over the Bendigo Pioneers. It will be a tough task to repeat that result against the league leaders, but with representative football now wrapped up for the year and a month of recovery time between games, the Devils will be at full strength for the first time in some time. They continue to be one of the strongest defensive units in the NAB League, with their 67.5 points allowed per game ranking third in the competition.

That defensive prowess will be doubly important against a Gippsland side that has piled on the points so far this season. They lead the NAB League with 93.7 points scored per game, and they have flexed their muscle with three games of 100-plus points. Those performances have started in the midfield, with the Power’s ability to win the contested ball at the stoppages helping them to attack in waves. The Devils will need to hold their own in the middle of the ground if they want to challenge for a win here.

Team news

The Devils will welcome back plenty of firepower for Sunday’s game, with returning Allies representatives Lachie Cowan, Tom McCallum, Seth Campbell and Colby McKercher headlining the inclusions. They will be joined by key defender Josh Gillow, who returns from injury and will play a key role against Gippsland’s plethora of tall forwards.

Khai Lunson, Dillon Goss, Bryce Alomes, Oscar Harper and Liam Howard all make way from Tasmania’s last game.

Key players

Tasmania Devils

Lachie Cowan

Cowan returns to the Devils after starring for the Allies in the NAB AFL National Championships – U18 Boys. He averaged 22 disposals, four marks and six rebound 50s there, and he was named in the best players for his side in all four games. His distribution from the half-back line has been sorely missed and will add another dimension to Tasmania’s attacking play.

Sam Banks-Smith

The Devils will take a smaller forward line into this clash, with Will Splann and Cam Owen the only genuine talls named. That will hand plenty of responsibility to Banks-Smith, with the Devils captain set to operate as the second or third tall target inside 50 for stretches of Sunday’s game. Despite measuring at 190 centimetres, it’s a role that he has been effective in before; he has hit the scoreboard in four games this season despite being swung around the field, and he is averaging 4.6 marks per game.

Gippsland Power

Zane Duursma

One of the undisputed stars of this Gippsland team, Duursma has enjoyed a stellar season to date. Spending time in both the forward line and the midfield, he has kicked multiple goals in every game and has tallied 22 majors in his eight NAB League appearances. Despite being a bottom-aged player, Duursma has proven to be one of the most dangerous players in the league, with plenty of tricks inside 50 and the ability to win his own ball around the contest.

Archer Reid

Standing at 201 centimetres tall, Reid will pose a big challenge for Tasmania’s defenders in this clash. While not a prolific ball-winner, he has kicked at least one goal in all but one game for Gippsland while showing off a strong set of hands overhead. With the willingness to lead away from his defender and the size to take contested marks, he poses a tough matchup for any defender.

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