After the Gold Coast loss, I was so heartbroken. I honestly didn’t know what to say. All I could hope for was the boys to come out hard on Sunday and put in 100% effort. After watching the Roos trounce Carlton the week before, I was worried it would be a huge loss, especially if the team played the way it had against Gold Coast and Melbourne. However, the players did indeed come out hard and I was pleased with the effort they put in. Did we come away with the points? No. But we put in a performance that we can be proud of and that’s all I ask of the players each week.
In order to pull myself out of the depression which followed the Gold Coast match, I had a look at our efforts from last year in comparison to this year. After the completion of Round 17 last year, we were at 5 wins, 1 draw and 10 losses. Currently we are at 7 wins, 9 losses. Only slightly better, but better none the less. However the most important thing to me is the closeness of our losses this year compared to last year. By the completion of Round 18 last year, we had lost by 63, 71, 49, 103 and 62 points. This year our largest loss has been in Round 1 against Carlton by 44 points. Since then all of our losses have been by 21 points or less. It is clear that even though are in a very similar position wins-wise and ladder position-wise, we are improving vastly. We have been competitive against every team especially the ladder leaders and no longer need to fear putting up an uncompetitive performance.
Good teams don’t lose by 50+ points very often, if ever. What we have learnt this year is how to fight matches out for four quarters. Although we don’t win every quarter, we no longer get behind and appear to stop trying to win and just try not to lose by too much, as we have done in the past. Instead, we keep on fighting for victory until the final siren.
One thing we do need to work on is how to win those close ones. The next step in our development is learning the skills to maintain a lead in the last quarter, and to put in the extra effort and calm decision making in order to win it in a tight one. I think as we continue to mature and gel as a playing group we will be able to convert more of our close games into wins.
This week’s match is against Carlton, whose form has decreased considerably since we last met, as well as being marred by injury and suspensions. I would love to see us capitalize on their misfortunes and beat our hated rival. The inclusion of King in our team will add some speed and toughness and real forward pressure. Our midfield will have to be in top form to match it with Carlton, even with Judd out. I look forward to seeing you all at our ‘Elimination Final’, see you at the ‘G.
Go Tigers, Meg.
