Arabic version: انتهاء مشوار شياطين تسمانيا في نهائيات دوري VFL في نورث هوبارت

According to ABC News, Tasmania Devils’ inaugural VFL season has ended with a 27-point semi-final loss to Essendon at North Hobart Oval. In rainy and slippery conditions, Essendon finished on 101 points to Tasmania’s 74 and moved on to the preliminary final.

Essendon made a strong early start, but the Devils reduced the margin to eight points by half-time. The Dons, who entered the match on a seven-game winning streak, proved too strong in the second half. The Essendon side included 18 AFL-listed players, including former Devil Jackson Artemis.

Devils ruckman Cam Owen said the result was disappointing but that the club felt grateful for the opportunity and proud of its season. He said Tasmania lacked bravery with the ball and polish going forward, adding that AFL-aligned teams could make opponents pay for such errors.

Owen said the club had gone from having no team 12 months earlier to a top-four finish, packed home crowds and a competitive first season. He described the side’s grit and determination as “second to none” and said its style showed a Tasmanian brand of football.

Despite the wet weather, supporters turned out in large numbers for the sellout home semi-final. Fans in green raincoats filled North Hobart, while some Essendon supporters also attended. The loss ends Tasmania’s finals campaign, but the club’s first VFL season came before the state’s planned entry to the AFL.