Round 20 – Melbourne v Kangaroos
Pre Match:
• Massive game with huge implications to our finals prospects. Win and we get back into the top 4 lose and we’re well back in the pack. Losses by Sydney & St Kilda were timely from our perspective so a winning performance against the Kangaroos was imperative.
• Had an excellent build up to the game with a talk from Brisbane Lions triple premiership player Alistair Lynch on Wednesday and a training session at the “G” on Friday afternoon. This was the first time for the season that we have been able to do this and the players really appreciated the opportunity. Many thanks to the MCC for granting permission.
• Had some good news on the injury front with Aaron Davey, Travis Johnstone, Russell Robertson & Matthew Whelan all passed fit to play. We also included Daniel Bell.
• Had a heavy focus on what we needed to do to get our game back in order during the week. We’ve been performing solidly from a defensive perspective but our attacking game has been down. Thus a lot of talk and practice was centred around taking the game on, playing on as much as possible and getting the ball quickly inside 50 to our dangerous forwards.
• The Kangaroos have been in very good form and with a finals spot out of the equation have been playing with attacking flair and a fair degree of mental freedom. In short they have nothing to lose. Very keen for us to start well and put some doubt in their minds.
• Also critical to minimise the influence of Harvey, Wells & Harris around the midfield. Clint Bartram was given the job on Harvey, the ever reliable James McDonald would pick up Wells & Nathan Jones as part of his development was handed the task on Harris. Thompson & Rocca’s scoring potential also had to be quelled. Ben Holland & Nathan Carroll were given these responsibilities.
During the Game:
• Kangaroos came out to start the game full of running and they had us on the back foot scoring the first two goals of the game. A couple of our forwards played too high up the ground allowing defenders like Brown & Firrito to drop off and help win the ball in their back half. They counter attacked from this situation & often scored. We lost significantly out of the centre bounces and our kicking skills were well below par. The Kangaroos intensity and run was outstanding & we needed to lift.
• Our work rate continued to be inferior to the Kangaroos in the second quarter which was disappointing. We showed some glimpses of bold attacking football but failed to work hard enough when they had the ball. Our kicking continued to let us down and we were lucky that the Kangaroos missed a couple of easy shots at goal. At half time we were 20 points down, still in the game but with a lot of work to do to win. Our dare and intensity was lacking and we were playing as if not to lose rather than to win.
• We worked hard to change this mindset at half time with an honest and frank appraisal of just where were at and a reminder to the players of the great opportunities that lay ahead if we could get our act together.
• Our work rate lifted enormously, we started to hunt in numbers, we worked hard to force turnovers and we kicked and carried the ball with much more purpose and energy. Aaron Davey provided the spark with 3 goals and David Neitz led from the front with 4 goals and 7 shots for the quarter. It was an extraordinary effort from him and one which no doubt inspired his team-mates. We went into the ¾ time break with a twenty point lead and more importantly a huge boost in confidence.
• The 4th quarter was a continuation of the 3rd as we teamed well together, continued to pressure the Kangaroos into error and used the ball with speed and creativity. When the siren went we were 50 points in front and had rediscovered our attacking game.
Post Match:
• It was good to turn around our performance after half time and emerge with a solid 50 point victory. What was more important is that we played a positive brand of football and gained some confidence from the win.
• David Neitz played an outstanding leadership game.
• James McDonald kept the dangerous Daniel Wells to a quiet game but managed 27 touches himself. A magnificent effort and typical of the team roles he has been playing all season. Nathan Jones also did an excellent job on Harris and Dutchy Holland kept Thompson under control after he kicked two early goals.
• It was good to have a number of pivotal players return to the team and they all impacted in a positive way on our performance. Some of Aaron Davey’s efforts in Q3 were inspirational.
• Our destiny is firmly in our hands over the next few weeks. Sure we have tough road games but you couldn’t ask for a better finals preparation. We’ll be doing all that we can to have a top 4 finish and achieve the double chance.
