Football:
Lindenow has been unable to overcome the power of Wy Yung this season, however Cats coach John Dick is confident if his side can put four quarters together, it can beat anyone.
The Cats defeated the Tigers in last season’s grand final, yet have been unable to claim the points against their arch rival this season.
In two encounters so far, Lindenow gave up a massive half time lead to the Tigers in round seven, going down by 17 points, and the Cats again let the match slip away in round 14 at the Cattery, turning a one-point half time deficit into a 43-point thrashing.
Dick, who took on the senior coaching role at Lindenow knowing he’d be without a number of key premiership players, has been working with his young charges, teaching them to show leadership and play out four quarters, because that has been their downfall in big games this season.
“We’ve lost a lot of experienced players and we have a young group and a new group which we’re trying to teach to stand up when the tide turns,” Dick said.
“Wy Yung has that core group of experienced fellas who know how to play four quarters and we just have to get our young guys to stop that momentum, show some leadership and lock down.
“When Wy Yung has got the ascendency, they’ve run away with it so the biggest thing is to halt that momentum and gain control.”
Lindenow’s young guys have stepped up this season, but the Cats have been unable to capitalise on opportunities. They haven’t been able to put sides away when the chance arises, instead taking the foot off the gas and allowing opposition to obtain flattering margins.
The new Lindenow troops have been forced to become leaders in the blink of an eye, with the Cats losing key players throughout the season due to injury.
On Lindenow’s injury list at the moment are prime movers Daniel Cox (groin), Matt Whelan (hamstring) and Justin Blair (gallbladder), while Jack Eastman is in Canada.
Dick has been pushing the remaining premiership players to take leadership, however is still hoping to get four-quarter efforts out of all his men.
“I’ve been pressing blokes like Shaggy (Mark Baylis), Morgs (Morgan Davies), Buschy (Matt Busch), Grumma (Jordan Grumley) and PC (Paul Collier), those premiership players to lead from the front and Shaggy and Latch (Lachlan Dumaresq), our vice captain, they’ve been great on the field leaders, but it takes 22 blokes to win games of football, not just one or two,” the Cats’ boss said.
“If we get 22 blokes playing four quarters I think we can beat anyone.
“Those young fellas are learning and now’s the time to step up and be noticed.
“The season has shown that anyone on their day can beat anyone, it’s just whoever turns up and plays four quarters on the day.
“We can’t afford not to play four quarters heading into the finals or we’ll be out.”
Dick has put an emphasis on four-quarter performances, particularly with finals around the corner. The Cats have shown depth in a time of need with a few key members on the side-lines and the Cats coach is hoping those fringe players and regular senior starters put their case forward with four-quarter showings.
“Definitely (we’re treating this game like a final), it’s a good test for us and with a few still out, I’m hoping a few players take their chance, especially the young fellas.
“We want guys to grab their opportunity and run with it because spots will be hard to come by.
“If they can show us they can play four quarters, they’ll get their opportunity in the finals.
“But that’s it, we have to play four quarters. Last week we kicked 8.4 into the breeze against Orbost (Snowy Rovers) in the first quarter and then took the foot of the pedal, as sides do when they’re winning by a fair bit.
“We can’t relax, we have to keep going for four quarters if we want to go all the way.”
It starts tomorrow for the Cats, however with a few key players sidelined, the Tigers will get the job done, relegating Lindenow to a third-place finish and an elimination semi final meeting with Lucknow next Sunday at Bairnsdale City Oval.
Netball:
Reigning East Gippsland netball “A” grade premier Wy Yung is almost assured a top two finish and the double chance – all it has to do is knock off bottom-placed Lindenow at Tigerland in the final round tomorrow.
The Tigers edged into top two contention last week with a thrilling victory after the final whistle over ladder leader Lakes Entrance and if they get over the line against the Cats, only percentage will stop them from finishing second.
They have the highest percentage of any side and a loss to either Stratford or the Seagulls, who play each other tomorrow, would mean the loser of that match finishes third and will face Lucknow in the first semi final next Sunday at Bairnsdale City Oval.
In the unlikely case of a draw between the Swans and Lakes, Wy Yung would remain third and take on the Magpies in the elimination semi.
The Tigers, despite being the only team to lose to Lindenow this season, will go in unbackable favourites in this contest and claim a hard-earned double chance.
Last Modified on 25/10/2012 19:49