Tim Michell
REBUILDING confidence has been a priority for Calder Cannons’ coaching staff as the club searches for its first win of the TAC Cup season on Sunday against Dandenong Stingrays.
The Cannons went down 20.11 (131) to 5.21 (51) against Greater Western Victoria Rebels on Sunday at Rams Arena, made to pay for inaccurate kicking early in the contest.
Assistant coach Lance Whitnall, who took the reins in head coach Andrew Johnston’s absence, said the players’ resilience had been tested after their wayward start in front of goal.
“At the moment we are doing good things for 10-15 minutes a quarter and dropping off for 10 minutes a quarter,” Whitnall said.
“That’s what is hurting us.”
Post-match, Whitnall said he entrusted Calder’s leaders to air their concerns with their teammates.
“The belief at the moment is starting to drop off a little bit,” he said.
“If you don’t get the results, that happens.
“Especially with kids this age. It’s just a matter of trying to keep them confident.
“But they have got to learn from the mistakes they are making.”
Noah Balta was prominent in the 80-point defeat, gathering 17 disposals, seven marks and managing 12 hitouts.
Mitch Podhajski continued his fine start to 2017 in defence, reeling in 10 marks and finishing with 22 disposals, while Dylan Landt, Lachlan Sholl and Ben Huggard were also adjudged among the best players for the Cannons.
But it is a team focus which Whitnall believes will help Calder overcome its winless start to the season.
“We have just got to be closer together as a team and do the team things a lot better,” he said.
The Cannons were within 38 points at three-quarter-time in Sunday’s Round 4 match but conceded nine last-quarter goals to suffer their fourth loss in a row.
Sunday’s Round 5 match starts at 10.30am at Shepley Oval.
#alwaysacannon
Last Modified on 26/04/2017 11:21
