The Devils competed against St Patrick’s FC in the third round of the national fixture, going down 8-1 in blistering heat. 

Devils Coach Jordan Stafford said he was under no illusion the visiting team would be a pushover. 

“We really expected them to be at the level they played at, coming down from a Sydney competition,” Stafford said. 

“Their comp is much stronger and they have so many players to choose from.”

Club vice-president Rian Smith said it seemed ironic to play St Patrick’s FC on St Patrick’s Day, but said it was great to increase exposure for the Devils and get a pre-season fixture in. 

Club officials commended Blake Grant who scored a great early goal against the visitors, before the Sydney team fired back to lead 4-1 at the break. 

“They were really well structured and they had a totally different playstyle to anything you expect down here,” Stafford said. 

The first grade coach was buoyed by his team’s effort, particularly their passing game. 

“The way our guys played and their attitude towards the game, I was just really happy with it,” Stafford said. 

He commended ‘Blinky’ on the goal and said the Devils could have even claimed a few more after a good effort across the park. 

“The passing up through the middle from the backline right through their team gave us the opportunities - but we just couldn't find the net.”

It was the first outing of the year for the Devils, who weren’t helped by blistering temperatures over the weekend. 

“That was our first game for the season and we’ve only had a couple of training sessions under the belt, so our fitness wasn’t quite there and the heat didn’t help.”

Despite the result, Stafford said it was a great experience and could set the club up for a future in the knockout draw. 

“Now we know what to expect and how to prepare for it better,” he said, but it also has the club primed for the return of the local competition. “We took a few good pointers out of that match and we're ready for the season now.”

Stafford said the club was excited to retain a core group of players from last year, but it had also unfortunately lost a few key figures. 

“It is disappointing to lose players and the team we put on the park was nothing like the roster last year,” he said. 

However, he was pleased to see the club retain a nucleus of the first grade outfit like the Jones brothers Ross and Simon, Phil Chapman, Clancy Morrison and keeper Harrison Baker. 

The Devils now return to training ahead of the season.