Coaches Report – League Round 3

Round 3 Men’s League

West Adelaide 9.9.63 V Eagles 14.17.101

Heading into our R3 clash with the Eagles, our focus as a group was clear: start strong and ensure we were in the contest by the main break. Pleasingly, we brought good energy in the opening quarter and managed to match it with our opposition early. However, we identified a couple of system-based breakdowns that required attention at the quarter-time huddle.

The second and third quarters proved to be inconsistent. A combination of lapses in concentration, poor communication, and fundamental skill errors began to creep into our game. These were further compounded by moments where our work rate and overall effort dropped below the standard we expect of ourselves. Full credit to the Eagles, who capitalised on those lapses and were able to take control of the game during that period.

Heading into the week ahead, our focus is to reset and get back to what we value most as a football club — contest and defence. These are the pillars of our game and when we get them right, we give ourselves every opportunity to compete at our best.

From an individual perspective, Sam Frost continues to lead from the front with his professionalism and on-field presence. Adam Bunworth and Riley Hill are showing promising signs as they continue to develop their craft at either end of the ground. It was also encouraging to see Tom Scully provide a strong target forward of the ball, giving our mids and half-backs a focal point inside 50.

As always, we appreciate the ongoing support from our members and fans. We’ll regroup, train with purpose, and look to respond strongly in our R4 fixture against Sturt.

Goals: Tom Scully (4.1), Riley Hill (2.1), Dylan Bramich (1.1), Hamish Ellem (1.1), Judd Hansen (1.1)

Best Players: Frost, Adam Bunworth, Riley Hill

– Adam Hartlett
League Men’s Coach

Round 3 Men’s Reserves

West Adelaide 6.5.41 V Eagles 19.14.128

We are disappointed with our performance on the weekend, succumbing to a mature Woodville West Torrens team by 87-points.

The visitors came out of the blocks, kicking the first 4 goals of the game, but back-to-back goals to livewire forward Lachlan Tredwell settled the first quarter for us, trailing by 2-goals at the first break.

Sam Burbridge (23 disposals) and Riley McMillan (20 disposals) got busy early in the second term, giving Tredwell two more opportunities to score, but both shots on goal went wayward as we missed an opportunity to equalise the game.

The first half became an arm wrestle, with Charlie Haysman (18 disposals), Harvey Bock (16 disposals, 7 marks), and Oscar Talbot (14 disposals, 7 marks) working hard to defend a number of Woodville forward 50 entries. Woodville kicked 2 more goals but an immediate reply by Oscar Kregar (19 disposals, 1 goal) kept the deficit to three-goals at the main break.

The third term continued to be an even contest, but a classy Sam Burbridge goal kept us in touch. From the15-minute mark, Woodville took control of centre clearance and stoppage and piled on 5 unanswered goals in 8-minutes.

We tried to implement a higher-risk, higher-reward game style in the last quarter to win the match, which allowed Bailey White to kick truly and Joel Parker to register his first goal for the game. However, Woodville dominated the midfield (42 hit outs to 5 hit outs) and finished the game with a compelling final term.

Best players: included Sam Davison, Sam Burbridge, and Lachlan Williams.

We are very clear about our direction and method and look forward to taking on Sturt FC at Thomas Farms Oval on Sunday 27 April, at 11:30 am.

Goals: Lachlan Tredwell (2.2), Samuel Burbridge (1), Oscar Kregar (1), Joel Parker (1), Bailey White (1)

– Reserves Coach, Sam Elliot