Wow! It was certainly an exciting performance for SUNS fans on Saturday as our reserves team clicked into gear.
The biggest challenge facing our squad as the season commenced back in March was to learn to play together as a team and find the cohesion necessary to play consistently strong football.
There was real evidence this challenge was beginning to be overcome as our boys produced an outstanding team effort to defeat the Sydney Swans.
Our coaches have been delighted at the progress our players have made in listening to and executing the game plan we are developing to take our club to its first premiership in the AFL.
The parts (facets) of the game plan our boys are rapidly improving and (as a fan) you should expect to see more:
1. Ability to outnumber the opposition in general play contests – This means our players are working harder and smarter than their opponents to hunt in numbers and allows us to win the contested footy more and run and carry it through the corridor in offence.
2. Ability to defend the corridor and open side on turnover – Every team wants to shift the ball quickly to the opposite side of the field to get the ball around the opposition team’s defence. Midfielders and wingman have a particularly important role to close down the targets as the ball switches sides from defence. By doing this better we have turned the ball over earlier in transition, had more 50 entries and kicked more goals.
3. Ability to play faster and more precise offensive football – All teams want to move the ball quickly into their forward zone put the opposition defenders under pressure. The constant workrate of players to lead and provide options ahead for the ball carrier allows the ball to be kicked to uncontested situations more. Uncontested possessions allow the next ball carrier to play on and keep moving the ball favourably to our forward targets.
The best six players from the game against Sydney were Rex Liddy, Mav Weller, Steven May, Tom Hickey, Seb Tape and Michael Coad.
Hickey an ex-volleyballer is exciting us with his rapid development and it was great to see Coady back after a nasty hamstring injury.
Jake Crawford returned from a shoulder injury and had one of his best games for the year.
A special mention to our two top up players from Morningside, Ben McNiece and Sam Faure, they were outstanding McNiece finishing with a game high 4 goals.
This week we take on the NEAFL Northern conference ladder leaders the Northern Territory Thunder in Cairns.
It promises to be another beauty, love your support.
GO SUNS,
Shaun Hart
