The Tasmania Devils have bounced back from last week’s first loss of the season with a convincing 126-100 win over Sandringham at UTAS Stadium in Launceston this afternoon.
Heavy rain greeted both sides at the opening bounce but didn’t stop a high-scoring contest, played in front of an estimated crowd of 2,500.
The result comes after Tasmania suffered their first defeat of the campaign at the hands of Carlton at Hobart’s Ninja Stadium last Saturday.
Caleb Mitchell topped the ladder with 29 disposals, while Vice-captain Jye Menzie finished with 24 disposals and three goals – saying the side had prepared well despite the tough conditions.
“We worked on what we wanted to go through throughout the week, knew how they wanted to play,” Menzie told Seven.
“We knew it was also gonna be a bit wet and might have to surge through.”
Brandon Leary was the standout performer, taking three massive contested marks.
SEN Tassie commentators singled out the forward as having genuine AFL-level traits.
Menzie said he had the best seat in the house for Leary’s heroics.
“I actually think I had front row view of every single one of them,” he said.
“We’ve always known he can jump … so to be able to finish it with a mark was awesome as well.”
Jed Hagan booted four goals to recapture his early-season form after a quiet stretch following a rib injury suffered during a representative match.
There were injury concerns for the Devils, though.
Zach Adams left the field with a suspected knee injury and didn’t return.
Captain Robbie Fox appeared hampered from the first quarter with a suspected groin issue.
UTAS Stadium is currently undergoing redevelopment ahead of the Devils’ AFL debut in 2028, with construction visible during the game.
