Source : ABC NEWS
Nearly two decades after their last game, the Tassie Devils have made a triumphant return to the VFL in front of a packed home crowd.
Saturday’s match against Coburg at North Hobart Oval was the state’s first VFL match since being scrapped from the league in 2008, in favour of a new statewide competition.
There was a sea of green at the Devils’ first VFL match in 18 years. (Facebook: Tasmania Football Club)
It marked the club’s first on-field step towards its impending entry into the national league, with a sea of green making it clear who the 11,000-strong crowd were barracking for.
Among the Devils supporters was the Little family.
Speaking ahead of the game, Justin Little said it was about showing younger local footy fans, including his sons Levi and Owen, what was possible.
Justin, Levi, Bec and Owen Little were among the crowd for the Tasmania Devils’ first VFL game. (ABC News: Meg Whitfield)
“I remember coming to the Devils when I was a kid with my parents, so it’s generational now,” he said.
“The Tassie team’s not so much about my generation and the ones above us, it’s about the kids.”
Gaylene Brouwer’s head-to-toe green attire left little question who she was supporting.
Gaylene Brouwer said it was a significant day in Tasmanian football history. (ABC News: Meg Whitfield)
“The roots are deep in Tassie football,”
Ms Brouwer said.
“We all love the game. We are so invested in seeing our state be a part of the national competition that it always should have been.”
Michael Blake said the large crowd showed how important the club was to Tasmanians. (ABC News: Meg Whitfield)
Michael Blake, who had been in the stands at Bellerive Oval when the Devils last played, said he had been “waiting for another one” since.
But, he said he was hopeful for a closer outcome this time around, with Tassie having gone down by 92 against Box Hill back in 2008.
“I can’t wait for us to play in the big dance as well,”
Mr Blake said.
Coburg fan Ben Gilbert proudly donned his red and blue, among a sea of green. (ABC News: Meg Whitfield)
Despite the sea of green, there was also a rare glimpse of blue.
Having made the trip from Melbourne to see a friend, brave Coburg fan Ben Gilbert was not deterred from wearing his club’s colours.
He said it was “great to see Tasmania get a team”.
“I hope they get slaughtered though.“
Unfortunately for Mr Gilbert, that was not to be, with the Tasmanian team securing a 17-point victory.
Lines snaked around the entire oval as Devils fans waited to get to their seats. (ABC News)
Song too new for players to know it
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The Devils came out hard early, with local talent Sam Siggins notching his name into the history books by securing the club’s first goal.
But the Lions didn’t go down without a fight, rallying to finish at half-time just one point behind.
The contest remained close early in the third quarter, with the Devils going into the quarter with a 74 to 59 lead.
From there, they held on, for a final score of 96 to 79 — with the stands erupting as the final siren blared.
But, when it came time for the traditional singing of the club song in the clubrooms after the win, it suddenly dawned on everyone that the team is so new, the players didn’t know the words.
Young fans excitedly got autographs from their favourite players after the match. (ABC News)
All smiles in the Tasmania Devils VFL clubrooms after their opening round victory against Coburg. (ABC News: Chris Rowbottom)
Team ‘delivered’ for island state
Jye Menzie, who on Saturday captained his team to its win, said the club could now breathe a sigh of relief.
“It means so much to this state,” he said.
“It’s so good for Tassie footy and it’s something that we’ve needed for so long and it’s finally here and we delivered.“
Jye Menzie, who captained the team, said the club could now breathe a sigh of relief after getting the job done. (ABC News)
Menzie said the win would be a confidence booster for the team, which is made up of a lot of young players — 11 of whom made their VFL debut on Saturday.
“The sky’s the limit, there’s no ceiling on this group, which is the best thing,” he said.
“So from now on in, we know we’re going to be competitive going forward and that’s what all the younger boys need.”
He said on a personal level, it was “one of the proudest moments of [his] life”.
“I’ve played at this ground many times, but definitely not in front of a crowd like this,” Menzie said.
“And to do it in front of my family, my friends, and to be able to lead the Tassie team out is definitely something I’ve dreamed about but not sure I ever thought it was going to come true and today it has.”
The Tasmania Devils are set to join the national league in 2028, with the women’s team to follow.
