A lot to learn from Round 12

If you are not winning you are learning, that is not to say you don’t learn the other way also, but the best lessons come out of being challenged by good opposition playing at a really strong level. While there is always disappointment in not getting the result we are after we can look at some areas that we need to keep getting better at, take some positives out of areas we did ok. Credit to the opposition in this instance though as they were more efficient, much cleaner in the slippery conditions and out-worked us for the majority of the day.

One of the key areas in our game is the ability to be able to defend and equally capitalise from turnover ball. It has been a huge focus for our group for a period of time and will continue to be, the weekend was evident of that as Adelaide were able to dominate us in this area with the difference on the score board a direct correlation in this stat. They are certainly very strong in scoring from turn overs when they are playing at this level. If there is a big frustration in the game this was the one most notably in the first quarter when our energy and intent to scramble and defend these moments was not at the level we require; we were left chasing the game from that point on. While we did create enough opportunities our inability to finish our work continued to add to those little frustrations as the day went on.

The numbers will suggest we did a enough in the game to be ok outside of that area, we had enough of the ball, we created enough scoring opportunities, we know we can do that and we take some positive out of those areas but what has been our most important focus is our ability to defend in all parts and we will need to get back into our work in this space this week.

Our Reserves group were able to play a very strong brand of football in very wet and slippery conditions in the early game. Their ability to move the ball by foot in the conditions was impressive with a number of strong contributors across the ground. We have mentioned a number of times that this is a young group, and we will see some ups and downs in games, but when the group plays with this type of energy and endeavour there is a lot to like. We are excited by the development right throughout in all areas of the ground.

With a couple of days extra this week we look forward to getting stuck into our preparation for next Sunday’s contest against Woodville West Torrens at Stratarama Stadium. This shapes like all of our upcoming games as a really important step in what is shaping as an incredibly close season. We can’t wait for the challenge and look forward to having a strong crowd in attendance.

Go The Bays

– Darren Reeves, Senior Coach

Goal kickers: McGree (2), Reynolds (2), McBean, Gerloff, Lyons

Best Players: Bell, Lyons, McGree, Proud, Scharenberg