Round 17 Q&A with Colts Coach Brad Dodd

The Peel Thunder Colts were back in action last Saturday night, taking on West Perth at Arena Joondalup. After the game we spoke with Head Coach, Brad Dodd.

Another debut this week, with Liam Richards coming into the side. Tell us a little about Liam?

BD: This year we picked a squad of 40 but we allocated an extra 5 spots for development players. Players that might not be quite ready yet but we see the benefit of them spending the year with us in preparation for 2019. Liam was one of our development players. He has come on in leaps and bounds. He had been close to getting a game earlier but he had a knack of getting injured just as he was about to be picked. He’s 17, a rangy type that we’ve been training as a back but can certainly play across all zones. He reads the play well and generally is a neat user of the ball. 

A later start than usual, the Colts playing after the League at 5pm, but the Thunder jumped out of the blocks to lead by 20 at the break. How you see the 1st quarter?

BD: Great challenge for our players where our preparation gets tested. It’s a long trip to Joondalup for most of our squad but we came out with the right attitude. West Perth probably started the better and we were a little lucky they didn’t capitalise on the scoreboard. But we managed to wrestle back control through the middle and create opportunities to score. 

Another strong quarter in the 2nd, kicking 3.3 while holding West Perth to 2 points. A big lead at the half, whats the message at the break?

BD: In the past we’ve been in these positions and haven’t gone on with it. Another opportunity to take the scoreboard out of the equation and build on the work we’ve done. So the challenge to the group was there. The conditions were quite dewy, so there was a focus on not overusing it, which we’ve been guilty of at times, and to continue to be fairly direct and give our forwards opportunities. Defensively, we’d been strong- be it, winning our one on one's and restricting West Perths inside 50s.     

A tight 3rd quarter, outscoring the Falcons 2 goals to 1. What were your thoughts on the quarter?

BD: A hard fought quarter. We gave ourselves chances to score but we weren’t able to use the ball as well as we had and the forwards had some numbers to deal with. It had been a solid performance to date, so we’ll be looking to close the game out to tick off a 4 quarter performance. 

A physical last quarter, Peel kicked the first 2 goals of the quarter before the Falcons kicked the last 3 to win the quarter. A 37 point win, what was your overall assessment?

BD: About half way through the quarter, West Perth upped their attack on the ball, and the man, and we didn’t respond. Really happy with our midfield and our stoppage work. It’s an area we’ve been good at all year but we managed to hit the scoreboard, something that’s been a focus. Defensively, we were strong, holding the Falcons to 5 goals. We were able to slow down their ball movement which restricted their Inside 50s. We still think we can get more reward from our Inside 50s and that’ll continue to be a focus. 

Who were the better performers on the day?

BD: Lachlan Riley has hit a rich vein of form and that continued against the Falcons. He was clearly the most influential player on the ground. He spent time inside and outside and found the right balance, winning the ball and finding it in space. Andrew Butler, Jake Howes, Cam Gavin and David Yaccob were all solid through the midfield. Down back, Lachie Beverly restricted Tom Medhat while Jarvis Pina and Jarrad Fazioli provide plenty of run. Tyson Powell was also good. Bit of an even performance up forward, with no real stand outs with all the boys chipping in. Jake Willis did lead the tackle count, with 7. 

Back home for the last time this year, playing East Perth, who won a thriller last time. With a finals spot now locked in- how do you attack the last 3 games?

BD: East Perth is the only team we haven’t beaten yet- so there’s a great opportunity to turn the tables at home. We continue to challenge our players to meet the standards that they have set. We only have 3 games before the finals so the competition for spots heats up a little. As a team, we don’t want to deviate from what our best football looks like and we’ll continue to challenge the players to deliver. 

Get down to Bendigo Bank Stadium this Saturday as the Thunder take on rivals East Perth.

Bounce down at 2:15pm