Coaches Report - R12
Rd 12 Vs Goodwood Saints (home).
After last week’s humiliation against Tea Tree Gully I was really pleased to see the players bounce out of the blocks Saturday, back their ability and play with confidence.
The first 15 minutes of the game we were dominating possession, winning the ball in close and driving the ball forward. Unfortunately we were unable to capitalise on this good start and we wasted a lot of opportunities with some poor skill execution going inside 50 and kicking at goal. Consequently, despite being on top in the majority of the areas we focus on, we went into quarter time four points behind.
The second quarter was our best for the day and the only quarter where we were really able to put score board pressure on Goodwood. Our midfield was well on top at the stoppages and centre clearances and our forwards were making more of their opportunities. This enabled us to kick 6.2 for the quarter to Goodwood’s 3.0. The half time scores being ROCS: 7.3 to Goodwood 5.1.
During the third quarter I felt defensively we started to drop off and the match evened up as Goodwood gained some momentum. Both sides were able to score reasonably freely for their I/50s, with us kicking 4.3 to Goodwood’s 4.2 for the quarter.
Going into the last quarter with a 17 point lead it was important we didn’t go away from the way we had been playing and continued to back our ability to finish the game off. The defensive side of our game tightened up from the third quarter and most pleasingly we continued to attack and hit the score board. This maintained the score board pressure we had built in the second quarter and we eventually won by 19 points ROCS: 14.10 def Goodwood: 12.3.
We again find ourselves in 5th spot. The players understand how important every game is from now on to ensure we keep our finals hopes alive. This Saturday we head down to Largs Reserve to play an in-form Port Districts. Port Districts have won 3 of their last 4 matches, including wins against PNU and Salisbury North so we are under no illusions about the challenge that this Saturday brings.
Tom Wigley
A Grade Coach
