Tasmania Devils have notched their second consecutive VFL victory, defeating Port Melbourne 101-93 at UTAS Stadium this afternoon.
The match marked the Devils’ first game in Launceston, drawing thousands of northern Tasmanian fans eager to support the state’s new team.
The eight-point victory follows last weekend’s win over Coburg at a sold-out North Hobart Oval.
Stand-in captain Jye Menzie, who kicked four goals, credited the home crowd for lifting the team across the line.
“We love making it a close game,” Menzie told Seven.
“I think the crowd got us over the line in the end. So good to see Launnie come turn out in their full numbers. So it was an awesome game.”
The team’s fitness and grounding work has proven crucial in tight finishes.
“We talk about our grounding sessions, going down to Queenstown,” Menzie said. “It’s held our boys in really good stead, so to be able to run out games like that and be able to run over the top of teams is so good for us.”
Devils coach Jeromey Webberley acknowledged there was room for improvement despite the victory.
“Well, just connection with our forward line,” Webberley said. “Gave ourselves a lot of looks in front of goal. Didn’t connect with our forwards overly well.”
“Our stoppage stuff and contest stuff was better, an improvement again today … we had some nice offensive moments, but there’s still a work in progress around our offensive transition.”
Max Roney dominated with 24 possessions, while Caleb Mitchell and Jaxon Artemis collected 20 touches each.
Jed Hagan and Sam Siggins contributed two goals each.
The Devils will face Frankston for their first away game at Kinetic Stadium on Good Friday, April 3, at 2:05pm.
Menzie said he was confident about maintaining momentum heading into the road trip.
“If we can get our momentum going into Frankston, our first away game, it’ll be awesome,” he said.
