Why Tassie spearhead is ‘100 per cent’ a VFL prospect
Devonport spearhead Kai Cameron has been dubbed “100 per cent” a VFL prospect by his Tasmania coach after a star showing against Queensland. Get the full wrap of Saturday’s rep games at Latrobe here.
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Tasmania coach Jeromey Webberley believes emerging forward Kai Cameron can “100 per cent” play a role in the state’s first VFL squad after branding him one of the finds of the representative season.
The 21-year-old was a standout in Tasmania’s 38-point defeat to Queensland at Latrobe on Saturday, kicking two goals.
Even when the visitors kicked six-goals-to-one in the first term, Cameron’s competitiveness and athletic ability stood out.
Add his work ethic to the mix and Webberley couldn’t be more impressed with the Devonport spearhead, who is representing his state at senior level for the first time this year.
Asked if he was a candidate to slot into Tasmania’s inaugural VFL squad next season, Webberley said: “100 per cent. There’s good footy players who probably don’t have the athletic capability, but Kai is not only a good player but he’s got the athletic capability and good training standards. He has got the potential to go to the next level.
“Kai is one of those guys where his training standard is so good. He’s a competitor and has a fantastic athletic profile.
“Even when he’s out of position he’s able to create a contest and draw it, and when he’s in position he’s got the athletic abilities to hold it. He’s a player we feel like we’ve discovered this year.”
Cameron, who also played for Tasmania against Frankston and Sandringham, has relished the chance to learn from star forwards Sam Siggins, Andrew Phillips and Josh Green.
“It’s all a learning curve for me. I’m surrounded by unbelievable players and it’s the first time I’ve ever been involved in these games,” he said.
“I think Jez (Webberley) and the coaching staff are amazing at getting the information to us straight away, and pinpointing what we need to get better at.
“They’re all amazing players and help the younger boys out so much. The way they go about it is so professional, and that drives you to be more professional as well.
Cameron said selection in the VFL squad is a goal, but he isn’t looking further ahead than Tasmania’s final clash against Sydney/Canberra in Hobart on July 19.
“Obviously I’d love to play VFL, but at the moment it’s game by game and seeing how much I can learn while I’m surrounded by these awesome players,” he said.
Tasmania skipper Brad Cox-Goodyer, named his side’s best on ground, said the state’s expanded representative schedule is helping unearth young talent capable of competing at a tougher level.
“These are what these games are for, finding someone like Kai and even young (half-back) Toby Callow, playing this game when he’s only just old enough to drive,” Cox-Goodyer said.
“Things like that are what we can take out of these games. They’re little wins for us, and Tassie footy as a whole.”
Skipper backs Tassie to learn from harsh lesson
Tasmania skipper Brad Cox-Goodyer believes Saturday’s first quarter lesson dealt by Queensland showcased the level the state’s regional leagues must aspire to.
The hosts bombed the start at Latrobe, conceding nine of the first ten goals in the 38-point defeat at Latrobe.
Cox-Goodyer was named Tasmania’s best after a star display in the midfield.
The North Launceston legend is one of a handful of experienced players in a mostly young outfit, picked with one eye toward Tasmania’s entry into the VFL next year.
He has no doubt the hosts initially struggled to adjust to the step up in quality after beating an understrength Sandringham in their last outing a few weeks ago.
“Take away that first quarter and it’s an even ball game,” Cox-Goodyer said.
“It probably just shows the level we have to get to in our regional leagues, because it’s obviously not up to the standard of that footy.
“I think there was a massive element of that (big step up from Sandringham). Our regions just have to work hard, and the training sessions we come together we have to put a real emphasis on those.
“We have to make sure we’re competing as hard as we can at local level, to make sure when we come together like this we don’t take a quarter to get going.”
Cox-Goodyer said the young players blooded this year will benefit enormously from being exposed to a higher level, and getting a brutal indication of what they need to improve.
“A big part of what it’s about is bringing these guys in and showing them what the level is,” Cox-Goodyer said.
“It’s something for them to aspire to, they get the VFL up and running next year and they get a taste of what it’s like.
“While we lost the game we still got valuable experience into these young guys going forward.
“You’ve got to find the right balance. While we obviously want that younger age group to come through to the VFL, they’ve got to have some experience around them.
“I think the mix is right at the moment. It’s just that level we’ve got to reach from the get go.”
Tasmania coach Jeromey Webberley highlighted their inability to embrace physicality early, and force repeat contests, as an issue to address before their last game of the year against Sydney/Canberra at North Hobart Oval on July 19.
“We don’t have to wait too long to train again and I think the guys will be right to go from the get go,” Cox-Goodyer said.
“(After last year’s loss) we probably owe NSW one, we’ll be ready to go from the first bounce.”
Queensland issues Tassie men a reality check in 38-point loss
The gap between Tasmania and a class-laden Queensland was laid bare after they were left in the gates by Queensland in a 15.15 (105) to 10.7 (67) defeat at Latrobe on Saturday.
Poor skills and execution in the first half were brutally punished by a clinical Queensland, who sent a reality check to Tasmania’s young squad early.
Queensland led by as many as 54 in the second quarter, and booted nine goals to three in the first half to lead by 42 at the main break. Only late first half goals from Sam Siggins and Josh Green put the hosts that close.
Tasmania was far better in the second half as they found ways to open up the game. But in the third term they couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard as much as they’d like while Queensland made the most of their fewer chances.
Tasmania were easily beaten by SANFL giants Norwood (68 points) in their first game of the year, before losing by 21 to Frankston and fending off an understrength Sandringham.
Tasmania is fielding a younger side this year to give players a chance to audition for selection in the state’s inaugural VFL side, slated for entry next year.
Fuelled by revenge after losing twice to Tasmania the past two years, a Queensland side with a handful of players formerly on AFL lists were simply too physical and polished for the hosts.
In the end, Queensland found the quality to answer Tasmania’s challenges when required to secure a comfortable victory.
Cam Ellis-Yolmen was named player of the match, was Tasmania skipper Brad Cox-Goodyer was best afield for the hosts.
“We couldn’t pin the ball in the front half and got beaten around the contest,” Tasmania coach Jeromey Webberley said.
“We couldn’t quite get our forward system sorted early in the game and that was probably the difference
“In the second half we changed our stoppage set up and made it man on man around the contest, and also lifted a forward in the middle to give us more numbers around the contest, but the damage was done the first 25 minutes.
“Once we got our contest right I thought we had momentum for large parts late in the second and early in the third, we just couldn’t capitalise as efficiently as them.
“We weren’t able to hit a target going inside 50 and that killed us a few times, I think they kicked goals from defensive 50 four or five times.
“It was stoppage early, poor tackle technique and we coughed it up. Our other Achilles heel was our inability to find targets by foot, or pin it in there.”
Queensland set their win up early by kicking the first three goals of the game, including a couple to Matt Hammelmann, a sign of things to come.
Late in the second quarter Tasmania’s Baker Smith missed an easy set shot, and Queensland made them pay on transition with Ryan Banks-Smith nailing their ninth goal.
It encapsulated the first half for the hosts. They were badly let down by their contest work and foot skills, while Queensland was sharp throughout.
QUEENSLAND 6.6 9.9 12.13 15.15 (105) def TASMANIA 1.1 3.3 7.4 10.7 (67)
Goals
Tas: Josh Green 2, Kai Cameron 2, Sam Siggins, Declen Chugg, Andrew Phillips, Baker Smith, Brandon Leary
Qld: Matt Hammelmann 4, Jarrod Cameron 2, Coen Harker 2, Kyle Dunkley, Will Fletcher, Ryan Banks-Smith, Jack Austin, Garret McDonagh, Cameron Ellis-Yolmen, Max McDonald
Best
Tas: Bradley Cox-Goodyer, Archie Wilkinson, Bailey Boag, Kai Cameron, Toby Callow, Andrew Phillips
Qld: Cameron Ellis-Yolmen, Adrian Williams, Rhys King, Matt Hammelmann, Garrett Mcdonagh, Kyle Dunkley
Classy Queensland’s second half surge overpowers Tasmania
Tasmania’s women will have to wait longer to break its duck against Queensland after the visitors’ class eventually overpowered them in an 8.15(63) to 3.3 (21) defeat at Latrobe on Sunday.
After they were beaten by 58 points in last year’s corresponding clash in Queensland, Tasmania threatened an upset after stoic defence and pressure around the ball kept them to within three points at half-time.
But they may have run out of fuel tickets in the second half as Queensland’s prime movers got on top. They kept Tasmania to just one behind after the main to secure a third straight win in the interstate clash.
After the main break Queensland dominated around the ball and created multiple inside 50s, while Tasmania’s overlapping run disappeared. Queensland capitalised on the scoreboard with goals to Steph O’Brien, Olivia Meagher, and Ella Calleja to lead by 27-point at three quarter time.
“That’s (maintaining intensity through a match) is the thing, and we need to work on that,” Tasmania coach Jodie Clifford said.
“We’ll look at our midfield rotation and make sure we get that balance right. We tried a couple of different things today, if you don’t you’re going to get the same result.
“I’m super proud of how the girls played that first half. I reckon that second quarter was the best we’ve played all year, and our job is how do we build on that.
“They’ve had some (regional) rep footy which has given them good challenges, but it’s brought inconsistency with bringing the group together.
“We’ll keep looking on ways to improve and we just want to bridge the gap, we’re getting there.”
Defender Libby Haines was named Tasmania’s best despite dislocating her finger early in the game, while midfielder Jemma Webster played no further part after suffering a suspected broken finger.
“We talked about 21 players playing their role and she might not have had many kicks, but she took a lot of marks and how she played her role is the thing,” Clifford said.
Tayla Gregory was player of the match after her move to ruck in the second half helped unlock Queensland’s prime movers.
Both teams applied plenty of pressure early with Tasmania’s defensive pillars Shania Saward and Joherty Revell keeping the hosts within eight points at quarter time.
Early in the second term Grace White took a strong leading mark and made no mistake from 35 metres out for her second goal of the game.
The visitors responded soon afterwards when Caitlin Miller snapped a nice goal to restore Queensland’s lead to 12.
When Emily Mifsud took a mark running backwards and made no mistake, Tasmania had capitalised on their best patch of the game so far to stay close at the main break.
Tasmania defenders Shania Saward, Perri King and Joherty Revell held up well for much of the match, Angelica Clark was influential through the middle and Grace White provided a reliable target up forward.
Meagher was influential all day while Queensland captain Steph O’Brien, ruck Tayla Gregory and Kierra Zeraffa lifted when in counted, particularly after half time.
QUEENSLAND 2.4 3.5 6.11 8.15 (63) def TASMANIA 1.0 3.2 3.2 3.3 (21)
Goals
Tas: Grace White 2, Emily Mifsud
Qld: Olivia Meagher 2, Ella Calleja 2, Caitlin Miller 2, Steph O’Brien, Kaitlyn Day
Best
Tas: Libby Haines, Sarah Skinner, Perri King, Angelica Clark, Olivia Smith, Shania Saward
Qld: Tayla Gregory, Olivia Meagher, Madeleine Watt, Skye White, Rianna Schipp, Laura Roy
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