TASMANIA has bounced back onto the winners list after defeating Greater Western Victoria (GWV) by three points in a thrilling encounter at Mars Stadium. The Devils were less accurate in front of goal but notched 28 scoring shots to the Rebels’ 20, riding the wave of several lead changes to salute 12.16 (88) to 13.7 (85) away from home. We took note of the top prospects and performers from both sides.

GWV REBELS 2.3 | 5.4 | 10.5 | 13.7 (85)
TASMANIA DEVILS 1.6 | 7.9 | 8.14 | 12.16 (88)

GOALS:
GWV Rebels: A. Elliott 4, L. Ellerton 3, L. Munyard 2, D. Ewing, C. Kenna, R. Lual, S. Te Moananui
Tasmania Devils: T. Bearman 4, M. Dawkins, T. Geappen, L. Heazlewood, B. Russell, R. Schoenmaker, T. Thomas, L. Wootton, M. Young

BEST:
GWV Rebels: J. Sobey, A. Elliott, E.Drever, K. Nicholls, O. Henderson, H. Welsh
Tasmania Devils: T. Bearman, M. Young, L. Wootton, O. Freeland, J. Beams, T. Munting

GWV REBELS:

#4 Ethan Drever
Midfielder | 188cm | 10/07/2008

Stats: 26 disposals, 7 tackles, 8 clearances

Drever once again put in the hard yards as GWV’s most prominent inside ball-winner. He roved cleanly off taps and fought to win the loose ball, using his strong frame to stay over the pill or cling onto opponents who were first to it. There were moments where Drever showed his turn of speed, able to cut through traffic and accelerate into open space. He even dropped back to support the defence but didn’t have his best kicking day, sometimes proving errant under pressure. Still, he went by foot 19 times and showed good poise before his release.

#6 Harrison Welsh
Midfielder | 179cm | 23/08/2009

Stats: 16 disposals, 6 tackles, 6 clearances

There were moments of polish and power from Welsh which caught the eye. The only player to collect more centre clearances than Drever (five), he utilised his core strength and burst speed to consistently escape to the outside. Welsh handled the ball cleanly and lowered his eyes nicely to hit some sharp passes on the move, but was sometimes unaware of pressure from behind. Still, he showed solid work rate to spread from the contest and was prepared to lay tackles.

#14 Archie Elliott
Forward | 182cm | 10/08/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 6 marks, 4 goals

Resembling traits of his famous namesake, Jamie, Elliott proved a difficult matchup with his blend of speed and aerial prowess. He consistently gained separation on the lead and was a nightmare to contain with ball in hand, coming to life in exciting bursts towards goal. Elliott also reeled in some terrific marks, reacting quickest to high or long forward 50 entries and launching himself at the ball. He ended up with 4.2 and had a couple of shots fall short or wide, highlighting an area for improvement. Otherwise, he’s an incredibly dangerous and dynamic player close to goal.

#23 Jackson O’Brien
Ruck | 205cm | 05/06/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 37 hitouts, 3 clearances

O’Brien utterly dominated the ruck domain, utilising a significant size advantage to win nearly 20 hitouts more than every other player combined. The 205cm monster exhibited a terrific leap at the centre ball-ups and won his taps clearly, hitting down to useful drop zones. While sometimes a little passive in open play, he positioned well for long kicks down the line and handled the ball cleanly, even grabbing a few of his own clearances out of the ruck.

TASMANIA DEVILS:

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

Stats: 32 disposals, 6 marks, 6 inside 50s

As is usually the case, Beams was absolutely deadly when afforded time and space to pick out targets by foot. He played with aggressive and attacking instincts, launching kick-ins up the corridor and hunting handball receives up the ground. The bottom-ager was often found in good positions to deliver the ball inside 50 and proved his intercept abilities across a high line. While lightly framed, Beams competed reasonably well in the air and ran out the game on a wing.

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

Stats: 25 disposals, 7 tackles, 5 clearances

Devine played an important role for the Devils, often matching up on Drever at centre ball-ups before being shifted to defence. In the latter role, he showed great urgency to daringly take ground and drive forward by foot when the game was there to be won. As a midfielder, Devine’s clean hands and combative nature shone through, although he often showed a want to get the ball back and become more expansive on the outside. Hence why he’s so effective off half-back.

#12 Hugh McCallum
Wing/Forward | 181cm | 10/08/2008

Stats: 29 disposals, 8 marks, 6 inside 50s

McCallum was industrious as ever on Saturday, covering just about every blade of grass at Mars Stadium. The wingman drifted into both 50m arcs and dominated transitional play between them, often putting speed on the ball before releasing it by foot. While he unusually fell short with a few drill passes at full tilt and finished with three behinds, McCallum’s ability to receive the ball on the move and take ground made him damaging. He spent time up forward and was reliable when competing overhead, while also proving difficult to contain on the lead.

#13 Thomas Bearman
Forward | 181cm | 19/07/2009

Stats: 12 disposals, 7 marks, 4 goals

Kicking 2.2 in the final period and having a key hand in the sealing goal, Bearman was Tasmania’s true match-winner. The bottom-ager initially caught the eye with a huge speccy in the second quarter, jumping on the back of his opponent and getting that stylish second lift. He went on to kick his first two goals in that term, before bagging two more to start term four. Bearman seemed to snap up everything that came his way, proving both clean and spring-heeled when competing aerially. He read the ball better than anyone else and kept his feet to stay involved in the play post-contest.

#29 Lucas Wootton
Midfielder/Forward | 180cm | 11/05/2007

Stats: 32 disposals, 5 clearances, 9 inside 50s, 1 goal

Wootton produced one of the highlights of the day, thumping home a remarkable goal from inside his own half. It was a moment which seemed to help adjust the over-ager’s method, as he went from escaping the contest going backwards, to wheeling around to go forward. Either way, Wootton was evasive as usual and roved the ball cleanly, proving an apt distributor from congestion. He often slipped tackles effortlessly and darted into space where he could then look to launch inside 50.

#34 Miller Young
Wing | 181cm | 05/08/2008

Stats: 28 disposals, 9 marks, 1 goal

Along with McCallum, Young played the wing role perfectly. He often drifted behind the ball where he could play loose and intercept, or provide an option to switch the play. Miller also looked to change angles with ball in hand and while he spilled a few gettable marks, was prolific at sweeping up off contests. His running patterns were terrific and he ended up running out the game up forward, where he peeled off cleverly to kick the sealing goal into an open square.