With the Winter months closing in, and most of the squad back, we went down to Boss James with optimism last Wednesday night for training. We were met with howling wind and the Sherrin going more sideways than forward.
After an hour of running, close quarter handball and pressure acts, it became apparent we needed to focus on IP and static cardio/body weights. Long kicking was going to be a waste of time in these conditions.
Christian, Big O and Zac took the lead and the boys had me laughing at their efforts with planking and push-ups.
Fast forward to Sunday morning and the boys walked in a little slow, a few yawning. I had yelled at my two to get off PS4 50 minutes before the game to get dressed and get in the car.
Assistant Coach, Carrigan Jnr, mentioned 15 minutes out from game time, how flat they all seemed and how the skills looked flat.
We needed to bring the intensity. St Bedes had all the ball in the first two minutes. The backs were under barrage. St Bedes kicked the first goal before it settled down.
No excuse, but our kicking from half back to deep forward was poor for 3.5 quarters. We went in at half time 6 points in front having kicked 2.7 to 2.1. This tells me we had more of it then they did.
When we walked out after half time the breeze had shifted. This and the St Bedes mids worked harder and were more efficient going forward. The 6 points became a 20 point deficit really fast.
Still confident in the last quarter, we owned the footy for large patches, yet numbers in a crowded forward line and poor foot skill cost us.
The lessons from this:
• Take time to steady with foot skills
• Stop kicking around corners
• Don’t crowd forward line
• Talk more
• Spread load, have more faith.
Following the game, I mentioned how we needed to play a full 60 minutes and not go to sleep for 5-7 minute patches.
Never mind, we fight another day next Sunday.
Cheers Caggs
