NAB League livestream: Tasmania Devils and Bendigo Pioneers do battle with semi-final spot up for grabs

Tasmania Devils send out an ominous warning to all NAB League title hopefuls with an impressive 25-point win over Bendigo Pioneers. Relive all the action from our LIVESTREAM.

They haven’t played together since the beginning of last month, but it hardly mattered for the Tasmania Devils.

They continued right where they let off when their NAB League preliminary round interest came to an end on August 6 by powering past Bendigo Pioneers, 94-69, to reach the final four.

Tassie turned a 10-point halftime lead into a game-winning 27 points by three quarter-time.

They threatened a blow out in the final quarter as the margin extended to over 40 points, but Bendigo kicked three in a row to add some respectability to ther scoreline.

Tassie’s Lachlan Cowan gets a hand pass away. Pic: Getty.

Seth Campbell under pressure from the Pioneers defence.

Celebration time for Tassie.

Braidy Simpson gets Tassie roilling.

PREVIEW: The two most unselfish teams in the NAB League

Team first footy.

It’s what the Bendigo Pioneers and Tasmania Devils are all about and it’s why both sides remain in the hunt for the 2022 NAB League Boys premiership.

They’ll face off in an elimination final at Ikon Park on Saturday morning.

WATCH THE ACTION LIVE FROM 11.30AM ON SATURDAY ON KOMMUNITY TV

Tassie will have Lachie Cowan available.

But the Devils will need to re-establish the connection which saw them finish second on the ladder, only six percentage points behind Gippsland Power.

Tasmania has not played a NAB League game since Round 15 on August 6, when they overcame the Northern Knights by 34 points.

Since then, Devils players have been playing in the Tasmanian State League or for their local clubs.

But coach Jeromey Webberley isn’t too worried about the gap between games.

“We had a training session last Saturday and it was good to get everyone back together,” he said.

“There’s been a great team ethos all season. I’m super impressed with how everyone has brought in and played a selfless role.

“For us, this weekend is about re-establishing our brand, if we can do that early in the game, it will go a long way to winning the contest.

“Bendigo’s win (in the wildcard round) was super impressive. They brought great pressure at the source and we need to make sure we match that this weekend.”

The Pioneers are riding high after stunning premiership fancy the Oakleigh Chargers last weekend.

They prevailed by 12 points in a thrilling contest with Harvey Gallagher stealing the headlines on the back of a 42 disposal outing.

Pioneers coach Danny O’Bree wasn’t shocked by what the 19-year-old produced.

“His last five weeks have been enormous, it wasn’t a one off,” he said.

Harvey Gallagher enters the game in strong form. Photo: AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“Our players who have been invited to the draft combine are in great form and our young guys are developing really nicely. We’re super confident in our team system.

“Tassie are extremely team orientated, a bit like ourselves, so it should be a cracking contest. They’re a strong physical side and good around the contest.

“We have to at least match them in that area and combat it in different ways as well.”

The Devils have reported a “clean bill of health” heading into the contest with Webberley admitting there had been headaches at the selection tables.

All of the Devils best players, including Lachie Cowan, will be available.

“We’ve made some changes to our team and those were difficult,” he said.

“Because guys have come in and played their roles, it’s made it tough for spots.

“But we’re really happy with the 23 players we’ve picked.”

Tasmania won the previous meeting between the two sides earlier this year by 69 points.