Leake’s versatility comes to fore in Devils’ comback win
James Leake’s versatility proved pivotal after his shift up forward sparked a Devils second half comeback in Sunday’s Coates Talent League win over Geelong.
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JAMES Leake’s ability to plug gaps came to the fore after his three second half goals propelled Tasmania Devils to an 11.13 (79) to 11.7 (73) comeback win over Geelong at Twin Ovals on Sunday.
Faced with a half-time deficit and struggling to break through the Falcons’ defence, Leake’s shift from defence to up forward proved pivotal.
The win allowed the Devils to return to the top of the Coates Talent League ladder with a 7-2 record, and they have built some breathing space over the Falcons (5-2).
It follows a last-start win over another top five team in Sandringham, and they face a further test of their premiership credentials against third-placed Northern Knights next week.
Launceston product Leake has been strong in the Allies’ unbeaten national championships campaign thus far.
He can also play on the ball and Devils coach Jeromey Webberley said that versatility will be a positive come draft time.
“Absolutely. He’s been playing outstandingly well through the Allies program, he’s been in fantastic form for us and that last half today was the best footy he’s played for us, no doubt,” Webberley said.
“He’s in contention (for the draft), he just has to continue to play well through the Allies games, and hopefully a big back end of the year for us.
“He’s our go-to player if we need a spike in an area of the game. We just didn’t look super dangerous ahead of the ball (in the first half), but he took a couple of contested marks and finished off his work in front of goal.”
Back-to-back wins over title fancies in the Dragons and Falcons has proven last year’s preliminary finalists are genuine contenders.
Webberley was proud of how they adjusted their approach after the main break.
“Geelong plays a very similar brand to us and their strengths are very similar. I thought we played into their hands early on, we overused the ball around contests and don’t think we challenged their defence enough with our options inside 50,” Webberley said.
“They were really hurting us on turnover, a lot of it was overusing handball or not clearing their source pressure. Once we rectified those things we got the game back on our terms.
“For them to respond like that is a real feather in their cap, I was happy with their performance after halftime.
“Sandringham and Geelong are two very good teams, they’re big wins.”
Webberley said Colby McKercher continued his stellar season, while skipper Tom Beaumont was very influential after halftime.
Missing a number of players on Allies duty, the Devils girls were beaten by Geelong 12.10 (82) to 6.2 (38).
Meg Harrison was a Devils standout through the middle, Ella Nast got plenty of ball across half-back and Ava Read was super dangerous up forward with four goals.
Geelong’s Chantal Mason was effectively the difference between the two sides after booting six goals.
BOYS
TASMANIA DEVILS 11.13 (79) def GEELONG FALCONS 11.7 (73)
Goals: Devils - James Leake 3, Colby McKercher 2, Tommy Bennett, Jack Dolliver, Blake Harper, Liam Ling, Beau Nash, Heath Ollington; Geelong - Matthew Jones 2, Zac McInnes 2, Zekiah Davey, Joshua Sanders, Michael Rudd, William McLachlan, Patrick Hughes, Angus Hanley, Thomas Burke
Best: Devils - Colby Mckercher, James Leake, Thomas Beaumont, Zach Barrow, Oscar Vandam, Arie Schoenmaker; Geelong - Hamish Pierson, Patrick Hughes, Matthew Jones, Tobyn Murray, Joshua Sanders, Mackenzie Butcher
GIRLS
GEELONG FALCONS 1.4 4.6 8.9 12.10 (82) def TASMANIA DEVILS 0.1 1.1 3.2 6.2 (38)
Goals: Geelong - Chantal Mason 6, Bella Gilham 3, Sara Howley 2, Caitlin Charles; Devils - Ava Read 4, Sophie Strong 2
Best: Geelong - Sara Howley, Chantal Mason, Stella Huxtable, Sophie Mahar, Lucy Marescuk, Seisia White; Devils - Meg Harrison, Ella Nast, Ava Read, Mia Anderson, Lily Nast, Sophie Strong
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