League Match Report – Round 14

It was a much-improved effort from our League side on Saturday as we faced fourth-placed Central District at X Convenience Oval.

Our focus for the game was to make Centrals defend for long periods, to advance the ball forward and take territory through control when opportunities presented, and to compete across all three zones.

The game started well for us. We played front-half football for much of the first quarter, but lacked polish and connection at times and didn’t put Centrals under enough scoreboard pressure whilst we had ascendancy. Centrals kicked three goals in the back end of the first term to take a 2-goal lead into quarter time. The highlight of the quarter Hamish Ellem’s gather and goal on the run, highlighting his undoubted potential.

The second quarter was more consistent as we outscored Centrals 4.3 to 3.0 in a promising first-half of football. We felt leading into the second-half we knew what was required to get the job done.

Our third quarter started poorly with mental lapses, a drop in intensity around the contest and lack of composure / polish resulting in Centrals kicking 4 goals to our 1. We understand that opposition will have momentum throughout quarters / games. It is these lapses that we as a group are working on identifying and rectifying sooner, in-game, to limit the impact it is currently having on the scoreboard.

The message to our group in the final quarter was to get the same energy back into our game that was so prominent in the first half. To our players credit and with room still to grow in terms of connection and polish, the boys were able to finish strong, kicking the final four goals of the game to fall short by a final margin of six points.

Whilst the result wasn’t what we wanted, there were many players who I felt took a step forward with their form. I liked the impact of our small forwards in varying roles; Michael Laudato and Judd Hansen for their work as high half forwards, Josh Gore for his role inside F50 and Dylan McCormick for his job in nullifying the dangerous Jez McLennan. I thought Riley Corbett and Hamish Ellem had positive moments in the front-half and around the ball. Our Midfield group is developing; Sam Frost, Kobe Ryan, Brady Searle and Lachlan Squire are a young, exciting group of Mids who are only going to get better and grow the more they play together. And our backline is battling hard against quality opposition each week.

We are disappointed. We know we need to be better and more consistent for longer. We’re working hard and coming to each training session with a plan that will ultimately hold is in good stead moving forward.

Thank you for your ongoing support, we look forward to returning to Hisense Stadium this week against Woodville West Torrens.

League Coach – Adam Hartlett