The Scarecrow
23 Sep 2003, 21:49
Source: The Mercury
Written By JAMES BRESNEHAN
NORTH Hobart wrote its own page in the history books yesterday by
hammering Hobart to claim the biggest grand final victory by any Demon team.
In smashing Hobart 21.20 (146) to 5.6 (36), North Hobart won its
first SFL Premier League flag and notched up the club's 28th senior
premiership -- by the biggest grand final margin in its history.
The crowd of 4289 was stunned by North Hobart's devastating second
half, in which it kicked 15.11 to Hobart's solitary point.
``The boys were fantastic today -- it really was a great victory,''
Demons coach Brendon Bolton said.
Hobart's barn-storming run through the finals, in which it disposed
of Glenorchy, New Norfolk and minor premier Clarence, came to a shuddering
halt with the 110-point loss.
The black and gold heroes had run out of steam, both mentally and
physically, and were unable to compete with a rampaging North Hobart.
``This is devastating -- this is going to hurt, and hurt for a long
time,'' Hobart coach Michael McGregor said after experiencing his first
finals loss as a coach.
``But I couldn't be more proud of the boys. Against the odds we just
kept coming, they've been awesome.''
North Hobart had contributors everywhere you looked, but none made
their mark bigger than Robbie Devine.
``The Whiz'' kicked 7.5 (he hit the post three times) and his
personal haul was bigger than Hobart's entire match score.
The Demons midfield had a field day, carving Hobart like a Sunday
roast with its pace and ferocity.
Brent Williams, 26, may have been the oldest player in the Demon
line-up but he showed the young 'uns a thing or two with his domination of
the midfield.
Unheralded ruckman Nick Lunn used his leap to control the hit-outs
and give the Demon runners first use of the ball.
Bolton was at his courageous best, and the Veitch boys, Justin and
Aaron, provided brute force around the backs.
Aerially, Demon Kent Abey was on fire at centre half-forward and
kicked four goals.
His contribution alone threatened to put the lights out for Hobart
but his opponent, Mat Harvey, fought like a tiger to stop the big blond's
influence.
Rodney Dann gave the Dees a lift in the second half and Kane Richter
provided a moving target up forward.
Players like Evan Wilkinson, Richie Robinson, John Fowle, Oliver
DiVenuto, Andrew Cox, Rhys Long and Andrew Best all gave something special
at times.
McGregor kicked four goals, bringing his tally to 16 in the past
three games.
His last one came at the 23-minute mark of the second term, which
was also Hobart's last goal of the match.
But Hobart was its own worst enemy.
Written By JAMES BRESNEHAN
NORTH Hobart wrote its own page in the history books yesterday by
hammering Hobart to claim the biggest grand final victory by any Demon team.
In smashing Hobart 21.20 (146) to 5.6 (36), North Hobart won its
first SFL Premier League flag and notched up the club's 28th senior
premiership -- by the biggest grand final margin in its history.
The crowd of 4289 was stunned by North Hobart's devastating second
half, in which it kicked 15.11 to Hobart's solitary point.
``The boys were fantastic today -- it really was a great victory,''
Demons coach Brendon Bolton said.
Hobart's barn-storming run through the finals, in which it disposed
of Glenorchy, New Norfolk and minor premier Clarence, came to a shuddering
halt with the 110-point loss.
The black and gold heroes had run out of steam, both mentally and
physically, and were unable to compete with a rampaging North Hobart.
``This is devastating -- this is going to hurt, and hurt for a long
time,'' Hobart coach Michael McGregor said after experiencing his first
finals loss as a coach.
``But I couldn't be more proud of the boys. Against the odds we just
kept coming, they've been awesome.''
North Hobart had contributors everywhere you looked, but none made
their mark bigger than Robbie Devine.
``The Whiz'' kicked 7.5 (he hit the post three times) and his
personal haul was bigger than Hobart's entire match score.
The Demons midfield had a field day, carving Hobart like a Sunday
roast with its pace and ferocity.
Brent Williams, 26, may have been the oldest player in the Demon
line-up but he showed the young 'uns a thing or two with his domination of
the midfield.
Unheralded ruckman Nick Lunn used his leap to control the hit-outs
and give the Demon runners first use of the ball.
Bolton was at his courageous best, and the Veitch boys, Justin and
Aaron, provided brute force around the backs.
Aerially, Demon Kent Abey was on fire at centre half-forward and
kicked four goals.
His contribution alone threatened to put the lights out for Hobart
but his opponent, Mat Harvey, fought like a tiger to stop the big blond's
influence.
Rodney Dann gave the Dees a lift in the second half and Kane Richter
provided a moving target up forward.
Players like Evan Wilkinson, Richie Robinson, John Fowle, Oliver
DiVenuto, Andrew Cox, Rhys Long and Andrew Best all gave something special
at times.
McGregor kicked four goals, bringing his tally to 16 in the past
three games.
His last one came at the 23-minute mark of the second term, which
was also Hobart's last goal of the match.
But Hobart was its own worst enemy.