Coaches Report – League/Reserves – Round 14

SANFL Reserves – Round 14 

West Adelaide (11.8.74) Vs North Adelaide 14.12.96)

Coaches Report – Round 14

 This week’s focus was to stay hungry and continue building on the form and momentum we gained following last week. With a split record of 1-1 against North Adelaide, the emphasis was on trusting our process and maintaining composure.

Our pregame message was clear – win the contest inside and control the ball on the outside. Pleasingly, we were able to get the upper hand in contested possession early, but unfortunately, we lacked the composure and decision-making on the outside to capitalise. North, responding to a big week for their club, came out sharp. Their ball use by foot was clean and they hurt us on the turnover, converting 4 goals directly from our errors. Despite the early setbacks, there were positives. Jack Oates was a standout, competing tirelessly in the ruck and giving us first use, finishing the game with 16 disposals, 5 marks and 3 clearances.

At the quarter time break we encouraged the group to settle, stay composed, and look to shift the ball for better field position. The players responded maturely and began to play the brand we pride ourselves on – a front-half game built on method and composure. We began to find marks and control the tempo, registering +9 uncontested marks for the quarter and turning that into +3 inside 50s. Jonty Koehne had a dominant term, bursting from stoppage and giving us a real drive, finishing the game with 23 disposals, 8 clearances and 6 inside 50s.

At the half time break the players showed significant growth, able to identify what had worked and what needed refinement. The second half began with North applying heavy pressure early, but after the first five minutes, our group regained control and started executing the game style we have been building towards. Our forwards were rewarded, with Lachlan Tredwell continuing his strong form – his movement and presence inside 50 were crucial, finishing with 14 disposals, 5 goals, 6 marks and 4 inside 50s.

Heading into the final quarter, the message was to take the scoreboard out of the game and focus on our continued development – sticking to our structures and playing a team game. The boys delivered and played a true front-half game, consistently locking the ball in and creating scoring opportunities. Jack Sullivan was excellent, pushing forward from the wing and finishing with three goals to cap off a strong outing with 14 disposals, 3 goals, 5 inside 50s,

A special mention must go to U18 debutant, Jaylen Sochacki. He displayed poise beyond his years, impressing with his left foot and under pressure. Jaylen contributed off half-back and is an exciting prospect for the future, finishing the game with 21 disposals, 7 marks and 9 rebound 50s.

I’m extremely proud of the group’s ability to adapt and respond to challenges throughout the match. The statistical trends were encouraging – after quarter time we outscored North 10.8 to 7.10, won contested possessions (+2), ground balls (+12), and closed the gap significantly in uncontested marks as the game progressed.

With a well-earned bye now ahead, we’ll use the week to freshen up and reset. The focus remains on being more consistent for longer periods of time and continuing to develop the habits that lead to sustained success. We look forward to taking on Norwood in a couple of weeks, another opportunity to measure our growth and build on the foundations we’ve laid.

Goals Lachlan Tredwell (5), Jack Sullivan (3), Max Downs, Judd Hansen, Jye Sinderberry

Best Players Jonty Koehne, Lachlan Tredwell, Jack Oates

-Ben Hardy (Interim Reserves Coach)

SANFL League – Round 14

West Adelaide (12.7.79) Vs Adelaide (21.14.140)

Despite a fast-start, West Adelaide went down to the Adelaide Crows by 61-points at Hisense Stadium in the annual Neil Kerley Memorial Match.

In an entertaining start, co-captain Isaac Johnson’s (28 disposals, 3 goals, 5 I50s) move into the midfield had an immediate impact on the contest and created an opportunity for the skipper to kick the opening goal inside the first 30 seconds of the game. The Crows immediately responded as they kicked the next three goals, showing dominance in transition. In a pleasing sign of growth within the group, we reacted quickly, kicking the next three goals. Johnson had a hand in two of them as he laced out Michael Laudato (11 disposals, 2 goals) who later converted before Johnson benefited from a Harvey Griffiths groundball-handball and snapped truly to equalise the game. In-form tagger Lachie Squire (25 disposals, 5 tackles, 6 I50s) then won a vital free kick against AFL-listed midfielder Harry Schoenberg and found young bloods forward Sam Burbridge who converted his first major. At the first break, we held a 1-goal lead and showed some positive signs around our contest and ball movement method.

We took momentum into the second quarter and began to control the first 9-minutes of the game. Tall forward Tom Scully (10 disposals, 4 marks, 3 goals) used his speed and agility to kick his first goal of the game before another Harvey Griffiths groundball-handball to Johnson set up the skippers third goal for the match. At the next centre bounce, improving midfielder Jesse Thackeray (26 disposals, 5 tackles, 6 I50s) willed the ball forward to another Harvey Griffiths groundball-handball which found it’s way to wingman Charlie Haysman who slotted a neat goal on the run to extend the margin to 22-points. To the Crows credit, they responded in emphatic fashion and piled on 9-unaswered goals to close out the second term. The crows capitalised on our turnovers, kicking 6 goals from our own errors and kicked 3 more goals from the source.

After the half-time break, we made some subtle adjustments to reduce turnover risk and improve our stoppage game. Defenders Tom Morrish (32 disposals, 8 marks), Jonti Schuback (21 disposals, 7 marks) and 2nd-gamer Hamish Dow (12 disposals, 4 marks) all battled hard but the Crows maturity and experience made it difficult to get the game back on our terms as the visitors kicked another 5 goals to extend their lead. Midfield bull Brady Searle (23 disposals, 1 goal, 4 I50s) continued to battle in the middle and set up a clever Michael Laudato snap to halt the Crows momentum.

To our boys credit, they persisted with a brand of football that creates opportunities to score and they found some reward in the last quarter. Big men Tom Scully and Riley Corbett both kicked long goals to reduce the margin and Dylan McCormick caused the Crows to turn the ball over, giving Brady Searle an opportunity to kick his first. Late in the game, Tom Scully continued to look dangerous and drew a free kick to kick his third goal of the match. We finished the quarter kicking 4-goals to Crows 4-goals in a positive sign of fight, method, and belief.

In the end, we showed positive signs of growth against the Adelaide Crows for long periods of the match but a 15-minute, 9-goal run to the Crows proved the difference in the end for our young team. We move into preparation phase as we begin planning for a huge match against Port Adelaide in Round 16 at Hisense Stadium.

Best players: Isaac Johnson, Jesse Thackeray, Tom Morrish, Lachlan Squire, Tom Scully

Goals: Isaac Johnson (3), Tom Scully (3), Michael Laudato (2), Samuel Burbridge (1), Riley Corbett (1), Charlie Haysman (1), Brady Searle (1).