The oldest saying in the book…A week is a long time in football…how true!
Before the game today, it was mentioned that this week would be totally different to last week…there would be no easy possessions, there would be heavy tackles…and we needed to be ready for the challenge.
Sadly and quite simply, we weren’t.
First half and Cheltenham-Highett exploded out of the blocks…hard run, hard physicality…we weren’t ready. From us there was no defence, no manning up, no tackling (only 3 players had more than one tackle to half time) and skill errors everywhere…what a different story to last week.
Half time: 0.4 to 9.2…Not a single goal in a half of football!
We had a long and frank discussion about what it takes to play Div 1 football at half time with INTENSITY the main topic. Then we asked for people to put their hands up and take on a task…man-on-man…for the entire second half. Good old fashioned man-on-man.
Well, what a terrific response. The skill errors were still there (and they cost us) but the intensity lifted dramatically and the game changed. Stronger tackling, less of their players running free, interceptions, stronger desire, selfless acts leading to turnovers and then resultant improved run and spread.
We outscored them in the second half to go down: 4.9 to 12.6.
Although a disappointing result, I am extremely proud of the way you boys turned things around. This could have been an embarrassing blowout but with some disciplined one-on-one football you gained some respect. Learn from this and realize what it takes to play top level football. Next week we have Waverley Park who will be just as tough as Chelt-Highett were today, so we will need to start the way we finished!
Awards:
Miles Bergman – wonderful game full of hard run, marks and tackles
Tom Maginness – tireless effort all day whether in the ruck, forward or back
Campbell Tweedie – The toughest job at full-back in an onslaught…strong marks and daring run
Special Mention: Luke Hart – a terrific game across half-forward (21 possessions, 3 marks and a goal) which cruelly ended with a broken collar bone…all the best Luke from all of us.
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