Jye Menzie did not expect the Tasmania Devils to be playing finals football this soon.
“We didn’t think this week would come, obviously at the start of the year we’re a new team building from the ground up so to make finals and not just make finals but get a double chance is pretty exciting,” the vice-captain said.
The Devils will travel to GMHBA Stadium on Saturday to face Geelong, who have lost just two games all year.
Menzie said his role settling younger teammates would be crucial.
“If there’s no nerves then you’re probably in it for the wrong reasons,” he said.
His message to the less experienced players is simple – soak it in before the first siren, then treat it like any other game.
“Once the siren goes it’s just another game,” he said.
Coach Jeromey Webberley said the week’s preparation would not change despite the occasion.
“We understand that there’s emotion attached around the outcome, like height and emotion,” Webberley said.
“It doesn’t change the process and what we need to get right for long periods of time on the weekend.”
Cam Owen and Caleb Mitchell are both expected to return if they get through training, giving the Devils a timely boost after losing Aiden Begg to injury last week.
Webberley said the Devils’ greatest edge over AFL-aligned clubs is their connection as a group.
“With an AFL line club, they can have significant changes week in, week out,” he said.
“We feel like our connection as a group and our collective buy-in is definitely an advantage.”
Menzie backed the Devils to match Geelong’s AFL-listed talent at the contest.
“We’ve matched it against some of the best teams in the comp this year and beat some of them convincingly,” he said.
Webberley was unapologetic about the team’s ambitions.
“We want to win the Premiership,” he said.
“Whether we’re good enough to do that, we’re going to find out over the course of the next month.”
Geelong Cats vs Tasmania Devils is on Saturday at 12:05pm at GMHBA Stadium.
All VFL finals matches will be broadcast live and free on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.
