When you score 13.23 for a match and only scrape a win by 23 points, something needs to change and I just hope that comes this week.
An alarming statistic is that in our seven losses this year, in five of those we have actually had equal or more scoring shots than our opposition.
It simply makes for depressing reading knowing full well what our W/L record could be now if we were just able to capitalise a little more on our opportunities.
I realise this is quite a negative tone to be taking this week, especially given we did get the four points after what was a turbulent week, but I feel it’s a point that needs to garner some attention as I’m sure it has down at Punt Rd this week.
Jack Riewoldt in particular is one player who needs to try and rectify his goalkicking woes against the Gold Coast this week. With Jack being very much a confidence player, it is so important to the side if he can convert early and get all the players and fans up and about.
The club has missed big opportunities in recent weeks to really bury the likes of GWS and Melbourne, so with last year’s defeat against the Gold Coast in their minds hopefully they come out looking for blood right from the start.
One highlight for myself last week was the return of Luke McGuane. He has been maligned for most of his career, but I thought he really showed something in attack for us last week.
With Vickery out for the rest of the season it presents an opportunity for McGuane to try and cement his place in the 22 for the remainder of the year.
Recruited to the club as a forward, McGuane’s fight for the footy and great worfk ethic alone was a great addition to the forward line and for him to slot two goals himself was a bonus.
Another good news story to come from this week is the return of key backman Kelvin Moore.
With doctors telling him he wouldn’t play football again, it has been a courageous effort by Moore to go through the countless hours of rehab and pain to get to the stage of making his AFL return this week.
While it would be silly to expect too much too early, having him back there in defence will be a sight for sore eyes, especially with Dylan Grimes overseas in Germany with his hamstring injury.
Moore has always been a no-fuss defender and his experience will be invaluable to our still developing defence.
While I did mention before that a big win is what we should be aiming for to gain crucial percentage, at the end of the day the four points will suffice.
Gold Coast upset us in Cairns last year and with a different ground and different conditions to what the players are used to it may take a while for the boys to get into the game.
If finals are still on the radar this year, then this week is an obvious must-win clash as we look to edge ourselves into the top eight.
Go Tiges!
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