Devils hope to take sting out of ladder leader Dandenong

They won a heart-stopper last week and the Tasmania Devils face their biggest challenge of the NAB League in a clash with ladder leader Dandenog Stingrays.

Devils vice-captain Matt McGuinness returns to the team for today’s clash against ladder leader Dandenong. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

TASMANIA coach Adrian Fletcher has a simple message for his young Devils heading into their NAB League clash with ladder leader Dandenong Stingrays at Blundstone Arena today – bring you’re A-game.

The Devils regained gun onballer Mitch O’Neill, vice-captain Matt McGuinness and towering ruckman/forward Hamish Allen for their 3.30pm curtain-raiser to the North Melbourne-Sydney Swans AFL match.

Following their after-the-siren win against Bendigo Pioneers in Bendigo last weekend, Fletcher wants his Devils to bring more of them same against the Stingrays.

“We were pleased that we got the job done and we’ve got to make sure we tap into what happened on the weekend from a team aspect – our ability to play for each other and the caring factor, which was the most pleasing thing out of the weekend,” Fletcher said.

The midfield battle will play a key role in deciding the winner.

“It’s really important how we exit out of congestion and our entries into our forward line,” Fletcher said.

“We’ve got to bring our A-game. That means energy and tackle pressure.

“When you play the best you don’t get time and space, so that’s something we have to be aware of against Dandenong.

“Dandenong is a very quick side and we have got to own the ground – it’s our ground, Bellerive, and we’ve got to own it.”

The return of O’Neill from All-Australian duties and McGuinness from injury is a big win for the Devils.

“Matt had a minor injury so it was more precaution not to risk him so we gave him the week off, and Mitch was averaging 30 possessions a game before he went out so we welcome his workrate back into the team,” Fletcher said.

Allen was promoted for a dual purpose.

“Jackson Callow has carried the can down in the forward line – he’s been the beacon and we need another beacon,” Fletcher said.

“At 205cm you’re obviously a beacon so we’ve brought him in to play forward and ruck a bit too because Dandenong has got a 201cm ruckman so we’ve got to make sure we can hit the ball to our midfielders and we need a tall guy to give us first use.”