Round 1 2014, Lara played away to Kyneton in Dale Harris' first game as head coach for Lara. Lara limped away, licking their wounds after an embarrasing 8-2 loss. This time, according to Harris, "we've got a hold on them"

 

Heading into their 7th game of the season, Lara are undefeated, however still second to an also undefeated Spring Hills.

"I am (confident we can catch Spring Hills). We have to play them twice more and they still have to come to us" Harris said.

"When we played them the first time, we could've been superior if we played how we had been during the other games of the season."We got caught up in the hype of the game. We ended up playing how they wanted to play the game and didn't play the way we wanted to."

 

Harris also noted that that particular resulted was tarred by injuries, a seemingly common theme this season. However he praised the quality in depth in helping him push the club through the league.

"it's endless problems. We haven't been able to field the same team two weeks in a row.

"The depth we created in picking the squads at the start of the season was important. The squad is good enough that when any players returns, he has to go through the ranks to get back in to the senior lineup.

"Every coach wants that (selection) headache, if a player doesn't give you 100%, there's another player ready to take his spot (who will). The headaches are a blessing in disguise. we're a balanced squad, a player coming on is as good as a player coming off.

"The most important element of the selection process (is that) you're only as good as your last game. If they don't play to instruction, I'll take the blame (for a bad outcome), if they don't, (I start to think) who can take their spot?"

 

Now that Harris returns to the venue of his first game, he is confident that the story won't be the same this time around.

"We will take the 3 points, despite the injuries.

In relation to what's changed since the first game last season, Harris said "the dressing room atmosphere is its own tactic.

"Everyone works hard for each other and that's irreplacable. We got thumped last time, we were underprepared and weren't up to it selection wise. We underestimated them, they wanted it more that day.

"Now we've got a hold on them. A point away from home (would be) a good result, that said, we're going there to take all 3."

 

Kick off is at 3pm on Saturday in Kyneton.