Round 13 Q&A with colts coach Brad Dodd

The Peel Thunder Colts were back in action last Saturday, taking on Swan Districts at Bendigo Bank Stadium. After the game we spoke with Head Coach, Brad Dodd.

Another 2 debuts this week, with 17 year-olds Kyle White and Rob Hutson coming into the side. Tell us a little about them?

BD: Kyle did the pre-season with us- but we decided he would play in the 16’s Carnival at the start of the year where he was selected in the State Squad as a developing Ruckman. We’re pretty excited about what he offers and see a heap of upside in him. Rob Hutson is a Back at the moment but if he can increase his endurance we see him playing through the Midfield next year. He reads the play really well, competes and attacks the game.

Swan Districts got the jump on you in Round 2, but a much better start this time around opening up a 25 point lead. How’d you see the 1st Quarter?

BD: Swans are a physical team who hit us hard early in Round 2. They’re the top tackling team (by averages) in the competition so we knew we needed to impose ourselves around the contest and keep the ball moving. Our Captain, Jake Howes, really lead from the front with his intent and attack on the ball. We were able to move the ball quickly forward and our forwards capitalised. 

Like all good sides, Swans responded at the start of the 2nd Quarter, closing the gap to 12 points before a strong response saw Peel lead by 35 at Half Time. What were your impressions?

BD: Swans got on top in clearances and were able to take advantage of the field position. To our mids credit, they were able to wrestle back control and we took our chances going forward. Swans had 15 Inside 50’s but our backs defended strongly and our pressure in general was strong. We managed to win the Quarter, which was pleasing as Swans had been in control for the majority of it. 

A big 3rd Quarter by the Thunder, kicking 6.6 to nil to open up a big lead. What were your impressions of the Quarter?

BD: We were kicking with the breeze but played some really exciting football. We moved the ball well, especially from Defensive 50 and we were able to get the ball into our Forwards quickly and into 1 on 1’s. We’ve been working hard on creating space for each other down Forward and we’re slowly seeing that being executed in games. 

What was the message at 3/4 time, with a big lead going into the last?

BD: That you can always get something out of a Quarter of footy. The challenge is to stick to the task and not look for the easy option- whether that’s your attack on the ball, the urgency to defend or work rate in general. 

In the end, Swans responded in the last but a big win in the top of the table clash. What were you most pleased with?

BD: Over the last 2 seasons, Swans have had the wood over us. So it was important that we put in a strong performance. We were really happy with how most of our guys performed against a good opposition. As a team we defended really well, we only had 5 more Inside 50s, but restricted Swans scoring to 6 goals. In an attacking sense, we moved the ball quickly and we had an even performance from our Forwards- who created contests and then pressured well on the way out. We had 18 tackles Inside 50. 

Who were the better performers on the day?

BD: Really even across the group but we thought Kilian Rawson was excellent down back. He’s played most of his football Forward but has played the last few down back and this was his best performance. He’s a strong mark and came off and intercepted really well. Kyle Penny, Lee Chapman and Jarvis Pina were solid down back. Through the Midfield, Billy Chambers continued his good form in the Ruck while James Sturrock, Jake Howes, Michael Randall and Cam Gavin gave us good drive through the Middle. Up forward, it was a pretty even effort with James Wiltshire making the most of his chances with 4 goals. Ben Middleton and Lachlan Cullen flashed in and out and kicked 3 each. 

Another tough challenge next week, taking on Subiaco at Leederville in another top of the table clash. How have you seen Subiaco? 

BD: We’ve played them twice already- once in a trial game, in-season we had a tight win after trailing by 5 goals early in the 3rd Quarter. Both games were quite physical. Subiaco have a strong Midfield and some big marking Forwards, who gave us some grief last time. Another great challenge and an opportunity for our guys to test themselves against the best.