AFTER flight cancellations forced a fixture change last week, the Oakleigh Chargers finally get to travel to the Apple Isle and take on Tasmania on Saturday. The match is part of an all-Devils double-header at North Hobart Oval, which will officially bring an end to Round 13 of the boy’s competition.

Saturday July 15, 1:00pm @ North Hobart Oval

IN A SENTENCE

Tasmania Devils have the chance to return to the winners list and snatch back top spot when they take on the 12th place Oakleigh Chargers at North Hobart Oval.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
Tasmania – 3rd | 7-3 | 141.0%
Oakleigh – 12th | 3-6 | 88.6%

Streak (most recent first):
Tasmania – LWWLWWWWLW
Oakleigh – WLLLLWLLW

FORM

Form may not count for much in this clash given the impending changes to either side, though Oakleigh is the team coming in off a win. The 3-6 Chargers beat a full-time region for the first time this season just a fortnight ago, downing Western to the tune of 31 points.

An undermanned Tasmania lost a thrilling game against Northern by five points in the same round, undone by Davin Cameron‘s stunning final minute karate-kick goal. They then relinquished top spot as the Knights won in Round 13, but are well placed at 7-3 to regain that position.

ONES TO WATCH

The complexion of either side looks a whole lot different due to the change of fixture. Oakleigh would have had access to Vic Metro squad members Jagga Smith, Tom Gross, and Will Lorenz last week, while Tasmania has been able to bring in a slew of Allies stars.

With the aforementioned Chargers trio earning call-ups for Sunday’s clash with Vic Country, key forward Will Elliott is his side’s lone Under 18 representative player. Though, Under 16 title winner Sam Allen comes in for his debut as 23rd man after a successful campaign with Metro.

Meanwhile, Tasmania calls upon its Allies contingent, with skipper Thomas Beaumont now joined by Colby McKercher, Jack Callinan, James Leake, Arie Schoenmaker, and Heath Ollington from the side which beat Vic Country last weekend. Just a few handy inclusions there.

SQUADS

Tasmania Devils:

B: #18 H. Elmer – #39 T. McCormack – #28 O. Van Dam
HB: #4 G. Payne – #37 A. Schoenmaker – #12 H. Summers
C: #20 M. Roney – #27 C. McKercher – #1 L. Ling
HF: #21 L. Douglas – #8 J. Leake – #42 T. Bennett
F: #3 J. Callinan – #7 H. Ollington – #19 J. Dolliver
FOL: #11 M. Mapley – #10 T. Beaumont (c) – #5 B. Nash
INT: #6 C. Ling, #9 O. Dean, #13 O. Depaoli-Kubank, #15 M. Brereton, #31 E. Blizzard

Oakleigh Chargers:

B: #15 N. Yze – #6 T. McCarthy – #33 L. Quaynor
HB: #28 J. Salmon – #62 J. Hartman – #48 H. Evans
C: #43 H. Eales – #4 P. Retschko – #25 B. Leidler
HF: #76 C. Riley – #63 L. Tovey – #78 K. Oppy
F: #38 B. Djordevic – #23 W. Elliott – #12 B. Hicks
FOL: #71 Z. Martin – #10 D. Kerr – #42 J. Walker
INT: #14 L. Walters, #24 K. Emery, #54 B. Hill, #60 C. Richardson, #79 S. Allen

PREDICTION

Tasmania’s inclusions tell the story here. Though Oakleigh comes in off a win, the Devils are difficult to beat at home and should bounce back into top spot quite handily. Devils by 40.