The seconds, coming off a good win last start kicked off first as the under 19's were enjoying a bye.
The boys started out with a bang, scoring five goals to nil in the first quarter, then no goals to three for Coldsream in the second. The third saw five gaols each, leaving us a seven point lead at the final change. Unfortunately Coldstream was able to score seven goals to nil in the last quarter to run out 38 point winners.
For Surrey Goal Kickers were Rohan Cleary (4), Ben Broadway (3) and a singke to David Wright , James Roche nand Blake Mios. Best Players were Matt Rupena , Tom. Maher , Harry Cook and David Wright
For the main game, we were coming off 3 consecutive losses and needed to perform strongly. As had been the case with Eastern Lions and Nunawading, Coldstream had also recruited heavily and had brought in some well credentialed players into their squad. This was always going to be a tough ask but I thought we were certainly up to the task.
We regained Maine and Garvin and promoted young Ethan Becker for his first Senior game at the club, but lost valuable defensive players in Scalise, Pearce and Z Tempany to injury.
We looked a much taller group than Coldstream and with conditions being perfect for football we believed we could cause somewhat of an upset. Kicking with a 2 goal breeze we again started well. We moved the ball well and had an open forward line. A quick goal to Young and 2 near misses to other forwards in the first 5 min saw us start to gain in confidence. Again the crucial turnover was to cost us. In the space of 7 min Coldstrem kicked 3 goals….all against the run of play and with us missing another 2 easy conversions we found ourselves 13 pts behind at the first break.
The next 2 quarters can be defined as “ extremely forgettable ”. We not only played poorly but we forgot all of our team structures and particularly our non negotiables. Our defensive structures around the footy disappeared and we could not contain the run from the Coldstream wings and flanks. Coldstream managed to put us to the sword by kicking 11.4 to our 2.1 in this time!!! We turned the football over and looked slow and unfit as Coldstream ran riot.
The last quarter saw a complete reshuffle of our team in the hope that we could steady the ship….and to some degree we did. We managed to kick 2.4 which should have been 5.1 but again our poor use of the football let us down. Coldsteam continued to pour on the scores and the end result of a 105 pt loss was disappointing to say the least.
Our tackling throughout the game was excellent and there were moments where we made Coldstream look slow and unfit….movement of the footy is paramount to confidence and perception. We unfortunately fall into old bad habits when we fall behind and this is an area that we will be focusing on in the coming weeks. This was a particularly galling result for me personally as I had never coached a team to a 100+ pt loss in over 500 senior games of football !!!.....a very sobering reminder of the foibles of football.
The challenge for the next match….Forest Hill ( one of the flag favourites ) is enormous and I am relishing the opportunity. There is nothing better than playing great opposition when you are struggling for form….it gives you a chance to test yourself against the best and can put your season in perspective….a good performance can set up your season….this is our chance to show the competition what we stand for….I can’t wait….come along and watch us.
Senior Coach Brett Davidson
Final Scores : Surrey Park 5.7 to Coldstream 22.11
Goalkickers : Paolini 2, Young 1, McGlone 1, Johns 1
Best Players : Johns, Crabtree, Francis, Maine, Garvin, Bird, Moore
Last Modified on 06/05/2015 21:11