After a great pre-season under new senior coach John Le Grand, we felt well prepared heading into round 1. Unfortunately numbers have been a concern and after a few unavailables and injuries we entered the game with only 17 fit men and it was all hands on deck. If I could choose the worst ground in the comp to play short on, it would be La Trobe. The Troberz used the extra man and the wide open spaces well and taught us a bit of a lesson in where our standard needs to get to in order to compete this year.
2 main themes were discussed before the game as unconditionals, desire and pride. It may seem strange to say this, but neither were let down despite the heavy loss. All 17 players had a crack and we were completely spent by the end of the game.
There were some great individual efforts during the game. First gamer Pete Owen gave 100% and was tough and unconditional in every effort at the footy. Great to see the old warrior Sean Flynn back and he gave plenty of guidance and direction to an inexperienced team that contained only 3 players who had reserves footy last season, including 1 retired coach! The Price brothers gave us plenty, James providing the grunt in the middle and Jack very classy with the football in hand. Paul Flynn was a trooper in the ruck or key posts forward and back while Spencer worked hard in several positions all day and will only improve.
As a team we cannot be happy with a loss like this and as was discussed afterwards we need to make that the low point of the season and build from here. With many players returning this week, we look forward to having a real dip out at Eltham with a full 22.
2011 will be a year of opportunities and players who put their hands up and show the willingness to work both on the track and of a saturday will get opportunities to play senior footy.
Couldnt not mention Chinna's tackle in the 3rd quarter, the inprint of number 25 will remain in the La Trobe deck for some time, and looking forward to seeing the tape on that one, hopefully Frenchy was on the money!
Good luck to both teams this weekend, go bloods
mickeyo #54
Last Modified on 12/04/2011 18:10