Photo: Solstice Digital
The Tasmania Devils have continued their charge towards the NAB League Boys finals, beating the Calder Cannons by 83 points on Sunday. The Devils extended their winning streak in fine style, dominating from start to finish at the Kingston Twin Ovals to solidify their spot in the top two.
TASMANIA DEVILS: 4.2 9.5 14.9 17.11 (113)
CALDER CANNONS: 0.1 0.2 1.2 4.6 (30)
Goals: W. Splann 4, J. Callinan 3, C. McKercher 2, L. Nicholson 2, T. Beaumont, F. Hooker, J. Curtis, S. Campbell, B. Leary, L. Cowan
Best players: L. Cowan, L. Nicholson, W. Splann, O. Van Dam, F. Hooker, L. Jones
Co-Captain Lachie Cowan again led the way with another brilliant performance, racking up 27 disposals and giving the Devils plenty of drive from the half-back line. Colby McKercher (28 disposals, two goals) was also prolific in the midfield, while winger Luke Nicholson (19 disposals, two goals) enjoyed his strongest performance to date for the Devils. Will Splann was the standout further afield, booting four goals from 13 disposals.
Tasmania burst out of the blocks early, with Nicholson kicking the game’s opening goal after less than 90 seconds of play. That set the tone for a dominant opening term, as they piled on four goals to none before the first break to build a handy buffer. Cowan was busy from the opening bounce, and his goal in the first quarter was an effortless kick on the run from 50 that sailed through. With Callinan and Splann also hitting the scoreboard, the Devils took a 25-point lead into the quarter-time break.
It was more of the same in the second term, with the Cannons held goalless once again as the Devils piled on the pain. They added five more goals before the main break, with Splann’s second of the day followed by majors to Seth Campbell, Brandon Leary and McKercher in quick succession. Fletcher Hooker (21 disposals, five marks) was a standout for the Devils from the half-forward line, working hard up the ground and showing strong hands in the air, and he added a goal just before half-time to push Tasmania’s lead to 57 points at the break.
The visitors were finally able to find their first goal of the afternoon early in the third quarter, but that would be their only score of the term as the Devils refused to let up. Nicholson again kicked the first goal of the half to continue his impressive day, while his opposite winger Oscar Van Dam (12 dispsoals, four marks) picked the Cannons apart with some tidy kicking. Splann, McKercher and Callinan all added to their tallies with goals, and when Thomas Beaumont booted his first in the dying seconds of the quarter, the Devils had kicked away to a huge 85-point lead.
With the result well and truly settled by three-quarter time, the Cannons were able to hold their own in the final term to keep the margin below triple figures. Both sides added three goals in an even quarter of play, with Splann kicking his fourth major and Callinan adding his third. Debutant Josh Curtis capped a perfect day for the Devils with his first NAB League goal, giving the team plenty of celebrate post-game after another huge win.
The Devils will be back on the road in round 15, with a clash against the Northern Knights at the Preston City Oval this Saturday.