Tassie cheers on 'fantastic' Devils in first ever home finals clash

Tasmania Devils fans have flocked to North Hobart Oval for the team's VFL semi-final clash against Essendon at North Hobart oval. Twelve months ago, the Devils had no players, no playing jumper, and were struggling to persuade footballers from around the country to take a leap of faith to move south. What's next? At half time, the Bombers were leading the match, 57.9.3 — the Devils 49.7.7 Crowds of passionate Devils fans have braved the wet weather to show up for Tassie's VFL semi-final clash against the bombers in North Hobart. A team that is in their inaugural season, a win today would secure Tasmania a place in a VFL preliminary final. To get over the line, the Devils will have to overcome Essendon, who are on a seven-game winning streak, and a potential downpour. At the end of half time, Essendon was leading the match by 8 points, with 57 points to the Devils' 49. As gates opened at North Hobart on Saturday, the enthusiasm from fans decked out in green, donning raincoats and racing to get undercover seats, wasn't to be dampened. For Lucy and Lee Edwards, there was no where else they'd rather be. "I don't care — rain, hail or shine, let's go," Ms Edwards said. "We played really well earlier in the year in York park when it rained cats and dogs, and we got over the line there. So I'm down — let's rain again and we'll win again with any luck." Mr Edwards said, no matter the result, for the club to make it this far in their first season was an achievement in itself. "For a new team, this is fantastic. Tassie go on, come on!" Decked out in her beanie and wet weather gear, Devils fan Ann Sigley was hoping she had a secret weapon with her in the stands — a bear in hand-knitted kit, named "mini Rum'un". She said it took her four days to make the mini mascot, which is just one in her AFL collection. "He shouts loud," she said, with a smile. "Goes up in the air a few times. "I tell you what, if we get into the finals, I'm going there too. Over to Melbourne." Among the sea of green, there were a few flickers of red and black. One of the brave Bombers supporters was Wynyard man Manassa Walker. He said he was feeling confident going into the match, with the Essendon side including 18 AFL listed players, including former Devil, Jackson Artemis. Mr Walker said, with a few Wynyard boys in the Tassie side he would also be barracking for them, but ultimately he was a "bomber at heart". It was a similar sentiment shared by James Rogerson, who, wearing a Devils jumper and a Bombers scarf, was in for a win either way. "I think football wins for the day," he said. He said the Devils making it into a semi final, played at home, was a feat in itself. "It's well above expectations, I think. "They're doing really well. They've really gelled together as a team after only one pre-season together. I think they're doing really well." For the young Davis family, watching their team was the perfect way to start the morning. Daughter Sophie said she never doubted that the Devils would make it to to the semi finals. [Image text:] Devils SMANIA 5s