Sturt hold away The Bays in Round 4

It is a tough one to write this week after our disappointing performance on ANZAC day. One thing we have been strong on from my first day at the club is that we want to be known as a tough team to play against week after week, contest after contest; not just the talented team that wins games based on that. While we have made significant progress in that space, last Thursday was a reminder that we still have lots of work to do. Sturt were fantastic on the day and deserved the victory, as they out hunted us, out worked us and played the game on their terms right from the start of the game.

The build-up to the game while different due to a short turn around, was certainly a positive one with our GFC Board member Rob Gillies providing our group with an outstanding message on the meaning of the day to him and his family. It was one of the more inspirational leads ins to a game that I had experienced. Unfortunately, it didn’t translate into our on-field performance. We were well beaten around contest for most part, out worked to the next contest more often than not and were not able to get our offence going at any point and found ourselves behind in the game for the entire day. It was compounded by some sloppy skills at times and some ordinary defensive efforts. It’s not what we have built our method on that is for certain, so we will take some good learnings away, get back to some solid preparation during the week and look to get back to what we do well into this weekend. While it was a disappointing result, we are clear that it is Round 4 and while we have played a little inconsistent, we have also played some excellent football within that so we are confident we can find the consistent level quickly.

Our young Reserves team had an impressive win against an experienced Sturt group in the earlier game on the day. Pleasingly they were able to play a strong 4 quarters and deserved some reward. There was a lot to like in the way they were able to move the ball, defend the ground really over the day and then play some mature football in the last period when Sturt were coming at them. Again, there were several outstanding contributors that continue to play at a high level. With a few injuries amongst our group, we have some strong talent ready to step in and play roles as we need.

This weekend we head down to Noarlunga on Sunday afternoon to take on South Adelaide in an important game for us. One thing I’m certain of – we will have 22 very hungry and desperate players take the field. We look forward to seeing all our supporters down there.

Go The Bays

– Darren Reeves, Senior Coach

Goal kickers: Allen, Reynolds, Adams, Gerloff, Hosie, Stagg

Best Players: Bell, Adams, McCarthy, Reynolds