Although trends in football have changed with teams employing large rotations, flooding, counter attack styles, zoning, tagging and various structures around the ground one thing in football hasn't, that is the team that makes the most of their opportunities when in possession of the ball whether by skill or decision making process ultimately wins.
Once again we failed to capitalise on dominating large periods of the game with the end result being a disappointing loss. Our effort throughout the game was as expected, the players worked hard defensively to apply pressure and we won more contested ball however we did not reflect this on the scoreboard, our entries inside 50 were hampered by poor efficiency.
With Merrington and Noakes taking 19 marks between them we have two players working hard and impacting when given the correct disposal and opportunity.
The effort of the players was not questioned and those that do have a very narrow view. We were up against a red hot outfit who have turned their side over since 2007 with some impressive talent, we had a game plan for our opponents which the players implemented well and we were controlling the game as a result. The answer lies directly in our ball use which is too inconsistent presently. We do not excuse players because of age or experience the basic fundamental of football is using the ball and capitalising on opportunities under pressure or fatigue. The modern game sees teams with the ability to score quickly which is simple efficiency with the ball. The positive is that the Stirlings, Sweets, Macaulays, Eastwell, Jones', Lee's. Noakes's, Martins', Olivers and Kanes who are in the infancy of their careers are learning very important lessons. What we need is our young players learning these lessons quickly as age or experience is not excused when you are in the heat of the battle.
Our better players on the day were Daniel Jones who worked tirelessly, Merrington and Tim Noakes and debutant brother Ben showed the endurance levels and work rate we know he has, Craig Wullf backed up with another hardworking game and Brendan Lee is adapting to the increased tempo of league football.
We have now played 30 players thus far with Craig Glancy ready to go this week, Cowell set to return after missing Saturday with illness, Mills playing his second consecutive game in the reserves, Brennan set to return in the reserves and others such has Howlett, Robinson and Nigel Lee in good form in the reserves we will continually look to improve and develop the side.
Other good news is Luke Webster is progressing very well and is remarkably set to return in six weeks and our club champion Frank Agostino is also due back at a similar time as he now steps up his program and is itching to go.
An exciting challenge this week against Subiaco at Subiaco Oval, we will go in knowing that when we use the ball and implement the game plan well we will be more than competitive. Challenges are what makes the game exciting and we can't wait for Saturday.
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