Devils primed for debut game against Sydney in NAB League

Tasmanian coach Adrian Fletcher has gives his team the “tools” to thrive in the NAB League, now he says it is time for the Devils get to work.

Tassie Devils under-18 coach Adrian Fletcher. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

TASMANIAN coach Adrian Fletcher has spent the past four months giving his team the “tools” to thrive in the NAB League under-18 competition; now he says it is time for the Devils get to work in their debut against Sydney Swans Academy in Blacktown on Saturday.

Nic Baker and Oliver Davis will captain the Devils, made up of players from the state’s under-18 national championship-winning Mariners program, in its inaugural game, while fellow co-captain Jared Dakin is sidelined by injury.

Fletcher said the Devils had an opportunity to leave a lasting impression.

“First impressions are lasting impressions and we’ll only have one chance at this as the Devils,” he said.

“It’s really important we show we are passionate about the state and put in a really competitive effort.”

Having said that, Fletcher is reluctant to put too much pressure on the state’s under-18 elite.

“It’s really important that we allow our kids to play and express themselves, that’s what the competition is about,” Fletcher said.

“You can’t do that if you have too much external pressure so we’ve got to make sure they understand what their roles are, how to play their roles and what’s expected.”

Fletcher believes the Devils are ready to go.

“We’ve gone through decision-making, we’ve done intensity drills, we’ve done competitive drills. We’ve basically given the tools of the trade to the players. Now they’ve got to be able to grow as a person and be able to handle the pressure they will get in this competition,” he said.

Tasmania Devils: L. Viney, J. Steele, P. Walker, S. Collins, O. Shaw, M. McGuinness, L. Gadomski, M. O’Neill, C. Stephenson, J. Clifford, T. McGinniss, J. Menzie, W. Harper, J. Callow, S. Lewis-Johnson, J. Chaplin, N. Baker, O. Davis. Inter: R. Ashlin, R. Banks-Smith, O. Burrows-Cheng, S. Green, J. Hennessy, H. Ireland, W. Peppin, C. Riethoff.