RD 14 RESERVES AND COLTS REVIEW

The Senior Development side lined up against Perth after coming off a bye weekend. Before the game the players seemed up and about and the Coaching staff were hopeful of a good showing. The start didn't reflect pre game and in the 1st quarter Perth had 12 scoring shots to Peels 1. Lucky for us they didnt capitalize fully with their scoreboard pressure and we had seemed timid and apprehensive going forward. After quarter time though we started to slowly gain momentum and by half time had stemmed their flow and went in at the main break 16 points down. We remained positive for the 3rd quarter but allowed Perth some very soft goals. We felt we could have been even closer at 3/4 time. The players were asked at the break to keep playing to our structures,  eliminate the skill errors and we were confident of over running them. The last quarter was full of character and belief  and managed to hit the front near the end of the game. Perth kicked their only goal for the quarter to hit the front again and we then rushed a point 30 secs from the end to gain a draw.  A great effort though and the players and Support staff were to be commended on their efforts.

Regards Crowie

Following the bye the Colts were keen to resume there recent good form against Perth back at Bendigo Bank Stadium. The message this week was to take the game on whilst still maintaining a team first focus. The boys were certainly on early as their effort to win the contested ball a highlight and this resulted in a number of early inside 50 entries. However, like the first encounter between the sides earlier in the season, the thunder were unable to capitalise on these opportunities doe to the wet and slippery conditions that greets colts football early in the morning. Eventually the boys hit the scoreboard and the run of quick goals came, and they were 4.5 to 1.0 at the quarter time break.  

After the break it was more of the same, whilst Perth increased some pressure on the ball carrier the Thunder responded and kicked away to a 48 point half-time lead. In the third quarter the boys drifted away from the team-first aspect which had got them into the position prior to the main break. Despite extending the lead to 85 points, errant kicking (5 goals, 9 behinds) cost the team greater advantage. After re-grouping at three-quarter time and ensuring that the players were sticking to the trained habits and effort which have been the trademark of the team throughout the season, they added a further six goals in the final term to run out 120 point winners. Following the 25-point loss earlier in the season, this was a great turnaround for the team, a fourth straight victory. 

Next week the boys take on Subiaco who dealt the thunder a body blow with a last kick of the day, 3-point win in their previous encounter. Hopefully the continued improvement will be on display at Medibank Stadium from 9.15am on Saturday.

BEAU WARDMAN

Thanks