Devonport coach Jeremy Scott is under no illusions about his side’s underdog status heading into Saturday’s TRU preliminary final clash with Taroona.
In fact, it’s a tag the veteran Bull is relishing.
“I think Taroona might’ve been surprised to find out we beat the Emus – I don’t think they would’ve planned for us to be coming down the highway,” Scott said.
“But it’s an exciting challenge ahead and hopefully we’ve got a few surprises for them in Hobart.”
The Bulls left it in their minor semi-final win over Burnie, needing a last-gasp Luke Bryan penalty to emerge 29-27 victors, but Scott believes it’s exactly the game they needed to prepare for a formidable Penguins outfit.
“That semi-final was perfect preparation – Burnie jumped out to an early lead but every time they scored we were able to get the next one and stay in the fight.”
“Our second rowers really stood up, our centres kept Burnie’s big boys honest and Soni (Tavalagi) was great at fullback.
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“It was the kind of tight contest we expect from Burnie and I thought our captain Reuben Heagney did well to take the points on offer, which is what you need to do in finals.”
Devonport are yet to beat Taroona in 2023, falling just short 19-20 in Round 4 before going down 33-12 in their most recent Round 11 clash.
Penguins club president Simon Plumb is nevertheless expecting another tough challenge from their northern rivals.
“Last weekend’s game against Launceston was really good – I thought we played quite well and it was just those late tries that cost us – but we know Devonport will be another challenge entirely,” Plumb said.
The TRU preliminary final kicks off at 3pm in Cornelian Bay (Rugby Park).
