Match Report by Brett Edmonds.

Last Saturday we played host to the Houston Lonestars at Old Shepard Park, Plano. The Devils had a large bench, so two players volunteered to make up the numbers for Houston. Thank you to Pipes and Luke for volunteering. Both players made an impact with Pipes getting a goal assist from a beautiful opposite foot kick and Luke being outnumbered 4 to 1, but was able to beat the 4 and to get the ball over the boundary line, for a boundary throw in.

Although it was the start of astronomical fall, it felt more like a cool summer day with the temperature reaching 97F. With this being the Devils last game of the season before Nationals, the message from Coach Henderson was to stick to our game plan but to also have fun. That message was heard loud and clear as the Devils started the game playing to the game plan in what was a fierce contest. The Devils were shepherding for their teammates and there was plenty of talk. Young Flashlight was putting his body on the line on the wing as he attacked the ball and player with no regard for his own safety. The backline was working well propelling the Houston attack as they had loose players running through the middle of the ground with Austen standing tall in defense. The Devils had some good opportunities moving into the forward line but were bombing the ball forward and not giving the forwards an opportunity to mark the ball. In what was shaping to be a great contest, Houston was slightly ahead at quarter time 3.3.21 vs 3.1.19.

After the quarter break, the Devils came out strongly moving the ball into the forward line with great reward, while the backline was preventing Houston from putting score board pressure onto the Devils. With a game ending injury to Stephen Bass, the Devils had to mix up the forward line tactics, rotating several players in and out to make an impact. The Devils were able to kick 3 goals to one in the quarter to take the lead at halftime 6.2.38 vs 4.5.29.

The Devils were looking to pile on the pressure in the Premiership quarter and extend the lead. The Devils were able to move the ball into their forward line but were unable to convert their opportunities with the Houston defense able to move the ball easily out of their backline. Dmase was dominating in the 3rd quarter with some nice defensive work and getting some run out of the backline, through handball receives. James Drummond in his first game for the Devils was dominating across half back repelling many Houston attacking raids. Flashlight kept applying the pressure, while Chris was having a good game on the wing taking advantage of his opportunities and taking some nice marks. With the ball moving well into the forward line Gleeson was able to take a strong overhead mark but was unable to convert from distance. Although the Devils had their opportunities to extend the lead, they were unable to, kicking 4 behinds to Houston’s 2 goals, 2 behinds with Houston leading by one point at 3 quarter time 6.7.43 vs 6.6.42.

With nothing in the game at the start of the 4th quarter the Devils were looking to put pressure on Houston to take the victory as the team heads to Nationals in 3 weeks. Although Speersy was able to kick 2 goals in the final quarter, the Devils had limited opportunities with the ball being played between the Devils half forward line and the Houston goals. The defense was working hard to propel the Houston attack but with Houston setting up the wall and the Devils bombing the ball forward, Houston was able to take some easy marks and send the ball back into their attack. Although it was a great effort against a Div 2 team, the Devils were not able to finish strong as they began to tire and let Houston get away with the win kicking 4 goals to 2 in the final quarter, with the final score being Hoston 10.8.68 vs Devils 8.7.55.
While the Devils didn’t get the result, they were looking for there were many positives that came out of the game, that the Devils will be able to build on as they get ready for Nationals. Even if you are not going to Nationals please get to as many training sessions as you can to help support the team heading to Florida.

Best Players: Team effort. Every player contributed in what was a great indication of what we can do when we play as a team.

Goal Kickers:
Hatton, Jacolby, Orry, Craig, Tim x 2, Speersy x 2