CALDER Cannons have snatched a last gasp win over Tasmania in Hobart on Sunday, with Thomas Lincoln‘s goal after the siren delivering the four points. Scores were tied after Lincoln put two previous set shots wide, but he hit the target with his third to see the Cannons salute by six points.

In what was a standalone clash for Round 19, Calder showed no signs of travel fatigue with four goals to one in the opening term. The visitors led narrowly at every break thereafter and had just enough left in the tank to make up for wayward goalkicking. They dominated territory and the clearance count, 41-19.

With representative stars returning from their National Championships campaigns, both sides were well stocked with talent. A strong bottom-age cohort shone through, along with several club-tied players who feature in our latest Scouting Notes edition.

TASMANIA DEVILS 1.1 | 4.4 | 8.7 | 11.11 (77)
CALDER CANNONS 4.5 | 5.9 | 7.16 | 11.17 (83)

GOALS:
Tasmania Devils: T. Bearman 3, M. Brown 3, L. Heazlewood 2, J. Beams, J. Bula, T. Thomas
Calder Cannons: M. Darwish 2, N. Jenkins 2, T. Lincoln 2, K. Bewick, S. Harris, C. Robbins, J. Watkins, C. White

BEST:
Tasmania Devils: J. Beams, M. Gulliver, A. Devine, C. Bovill, T. Geappen, M. Brown
Calder Cannons: N. Staropoli, B. Justice, K. Bewick, J. Watkins, M. Darwish, N. Jenkins

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TASMANIA DEVILS:

#1 Lucas Heazlewood
Small Forward | 172cm | 03/02/2009

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals

It was an energetic performance from Heazlewood, who once again impacted the scoreboard and set up teammates to do the same. Originally donning the longsleever, he quickly got going with Tasmania’s opening goal, converted on the run. He did well to hit up across half-forward and provide connection heading inside 50, using his speed and pressure to create panic at ground level. Heazlewood was arguably even more effective closer to goal, showing great craft and awareness to shrug a tackle and snap home his second major in term three.

#4 Charlie Bovill
Key Defender | 193cm | 30/03/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 6 rebound 50s

Bovill was solid as ever in defence, doing his best to split contests and repel Calder attacks. He spent much of the day engaged in a battle with athletic bottom-age tall Nathaniel Jenkins, sucking him in on occasion to win a couple of free kicks. Bovill thrived aerially with his ability to intercept and win one-on-one battles, going on to use his kick penetration to clear the danger zone.

#5 Jake Beams
Defender/Wing | 181cm | 22/12/2009

Stats: 29 disposals, 7 marks, 9 rebound 50s, 1 goal

It’s just about a given that Beams picks up 25-30 disposals each week, but most importantly, he impacts the game. The bottom-ager once again teamed up with Archie Devine to set up play out of defence, showing good variation and range on his kicks. Beams sometimes invited pressure on his short passes inside defensive 50, but was capable of taking ground and clearing 50-60 metres when the option was there. He showed a different side to his game with a couple of strong intercept marks overhead, the second of which sparked his late running goal for the lead. He spent time up on the wing during term four, remaining productive without having to share playmaking duties.

#6 Archie Devine
Defender | 181cm | 13/02/2008

Stats: 30 disposals, 7 marks, 6 rebound 50s

North Melbourne NGA

Leading all comers with 30 disposals, Devine shouldered plenty of playmaking responsibility alongside Beams. While capable of controlling possession with precise short passes, Devine showed an ability to drive forward and double up on his touches, also hitting targets with penetrative kicks over the back. The top-ager hunted handball receives up the ground and shifted into aggressive positions. Beams’ move to the wing freed him up to be the main man down back, providing a lift in impetus and taking the game on when Tasmania was fighting for the lead.

#7 Jess Bula
Forward | 186cm | 09/02/2008

Stats: 8 disposals, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

North Melbourne NGA

It was a low-volume, high-impact kind of game from Bula. The athletic utility was based up forward where he worked up the ground to provide connection. He did so with great attack on the ball and equally strong aerial ability, enhanced by his leap. Bula chose to bite off risky kicks and used his speed to carry the ball into space. He further showed his power with a terrific long-range goal in the third quarter, slamming the ball home off a short run-up.

#16 Max Gulliver
Midfielder/Forward | 178cm | 04/11/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 6 marks, 7 inside 50s

Tasmania’s best and most prolific midfielder on Sunday, Gulliver helped give his forwards fast and frequent service. His trademark play was to either break away from stoppage or latch onto a handball and run his measure before blasting long inside 50. The bottom-ager also showed good work rate to cover the ground and accumulate easier possessions in the back half. His inside craft remained strong, winning a team-high four clearances and nine contested possessions.

#21 Tom Geappen
Wing | 182cm | 28/07/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 7 marks, 4 tackles

A real smooth mover out on the wing, Geappen showed plenty of agility and poise throughout the day. Even time he latched onto the ball in open play, he would buy time by twisting and turning before dishing the ball off to a free teammate. Geappen’s clean hands and neat skills made him the ideal player to bring the ball forward, having gotten in great positions to receive out the back.

CALDER CANNONS:

#1 Blake Justice
Midfielder/Forward | 191cm | 29/09/2008

Stats: 28 disposals, 5 marks, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s

Essendon NGA

Fresh off a VFL berth with Essendon, Justice returned arguably his best performance for the season after an injury-interrupted start. He played with great presence, whether that be driving Calder’s significant clearance advantage or providing an aerial target inside 50. The athletic top-ager blended his size with athleticism to impact in all phases; leaping well, quickly stepping out of congestion, and absorbing physical pressure. His clean hands were a feature at stoppage, and while he had some good moments, can continue to refine his decision making and execution by foot.

#2 Sam Harris
Forward/Midfielder | 180cm | 17/01/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

North Melbourne F/S

Spending much of his time up forward like he did with Vic Metro, Harris also popped up with a productive midfield stint in term four. He was dangerous at forward-50 stoppages, taking the ball on the move and looking to drive his legs to the outside. His intensity and pressure hardly wavered, able to either win his own ball or punish lagging Tasmanian ball-winners. His kicking on the run remains an area for improvement, but Harris straightened up nicely to slot a set shot goal in the second quarter. Perhaps he has found his role.

#3 Nathaniel Jenkins
Key Forward | 196cm | 18/08/2009

Stats: 12 disposals, 5 marks, 2 goals

Engaged in a terrific battle with Tasmanian co-captain Charlie Bovill, Jenkins had the last laugh with a couple of goals and the win. He showcased his promising athleticism throughout the game, threatening to sit on heads with spring-heeled leaps inside 50 while also getting free on the lead further afield. Jenkins’ touch and agility are outstanding for a player his height, able to contribute in open play to compliment his aerial assets. He’s a dynamic goalkicking threat.

#4 Tevita Rodan
Forward | 180cm | 18/02/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 tackles, 3 inside 50s

Essendon NGA & Port Adelaide F/S

It was somewhat of a hit-or-miss kind of day for Rodan, who rotated up to the wing from his usual base up forward. He showed great power in surging the ball forward, looking to take ground at every opportunity and create waves heading inside 50. His clean handling and attacking instincts served that method of play nicely, although he just lacked that little bit of polish with his end product.

#8 Koby Bewick
Midfielder | 178cm | 10/01/2009

Stats: 23 disposals, 6 marks, 8 clearances, 1 goal

Essendon F/S

Winning a game-high eight clearances as his side won the total count 41-19, Bewick bares resemblance to Nick Daicos in that he can control games in any role. The lightly built utility was prepared to get his hands dirty at stoppage and was ultra-clean in the clinches, where he either flicked the ball out quickly or accelerated out of traffic. Bewick was also prolific on the outside, showing high-level footy IQ to time his runs and find space around the ground. The bottom-ager dictated play as Calder moved from end-to-end and lifted in the final quarter to help drag his side home. At his best, his foot skills and target identification are absolutely deadly.

#9 Moustafa Darwish
Midfielder | 180cm | 07/01/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 tackles, 2 goals

Essendon NGA

While he ended up with double the amount of kicks, Darwish impressed with his stylish and improvisational handballs under pressure. He showed a happy knack for flicking the ball over his shoulder to release teammates, keeping the play moving when he could easily have accepted a repeat stoppage. The Essendon-tied talent became even more expansive in the second half, including with a freakish goal which bounced over the back from the opening centre clearance. Darwish went on to cover the ground increasingly well and drifted into the forward 50 hole to slot a clutch fourth quarter goal.

#10 Isa Merhi
Defender | 177cm | 14/05/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 marks, 5 rebound 50s

Merhi was full of running out of defence, getting his side going from the restarts and with his overlapping ventures up the field. He wasn’t afraid to surge into the attacking half, using his pace and foot skills to move the ball forward dangerously. The bottom-ager’s ability to put speed on the ball meant Calder could quickly regain the territory it so often dominated, essentially reloading each time the Cannons were made to defend.

#20 Jackson Watkins
Forward | 185cm | 04/10/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 marks, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

Watkins’ Talent League form is becoming increasingly hard to ignore. He put on an all-round masterclass across half-forward, providing connection and slick ball use heading inside 50. Watkins reeled in four contested marks, proving difficult to contain one-on-one as he used his strong hands to advantage. He was just as powerful in open play, showing a sharp turn of speed and the ability to break through tackles. From there, he had the composure to lower his eyes and hit targets on the move. Watkins snapped a goal in term three and set up multiple late chances for Lincoln.

#21 Nicholas Staropoli
Tall Defender | 190cm | 21/12/2007

Stats: 24 disposals, 6 marks, 8 rebound 50s

Staropoli was enormous across Calder’s backline, clunking three contested marks and several intercepts. His reading of the play was outstanding, quickly getting into the ideal position and confidently leaping into his marks. He was equal parts brave and athletic in the air, while remaining competitive with his secondary efforts on the ground. Staropoli’s desperation often saw him win the ball and quickly clear his lines, with kicking an element he can become more consistent in. He had a few clangers but hit a nice left-foot pass heading inside 50 in the final term.