Thought this might be an interesting read . . .
Poor fitness costs Pies
by Matt Nicholls
I DON’T know if I should call Wallan’s senior football side the Fremantle Dockers of the Riddell District Football League, but one thing is for sure, the Magpies are very, very ordinary in the last quarter of matches.
Unbelievably, the Pies have won just two final terms this year – in round three against Romsey when they had the game sewn up, and in round eight where they kicked 3.3 to 1.1 against Melton Central, albeit with a handy breeze at their backs.
Even in round one when they beat Rockbank they lost the last quarter.
In round five against Woodend-Hesket they trailed by just 11 points at half time, before getting blown off the map to lose by 71.
A week later they were unable to score in the final term against Macedon.
Last Saturday, Wallan trailed Sunbury Kangaroos by one point at three-quarter-time. It’s fair to say that the Pies’ home crowd knew their side would have to play out of their skins to win the match.
Although they kicked 3.1, which is actually one of their better final quarters this year, they were outgunned by the Roos, who kicked 5.1 to win by 13 points.
While Fremantle’s problems have been addressed as psychological, it is clear in my eyes that Wallan’s players lack the fitness to compete with the stronger sides in the RDFL.
It is a staggering fact that the Magpies have led at half time in seven matches, but gone on to win just two.
If they had of won all of those matches, they would be sitting third on the ladder instead of tenth.
Statistics suggest Wallan’s players are good enough to match most sides in the competition, but simply run out of puff when the game is there to be one at the end.
Coach Mark Pedersen disagreed that his side lacked fitness.
“We’re a side with a lot of new players and we just don’t know how to close out games,” he said.
“Our skills have let us down, too many players turnover the ball and that is what is costing us games at the moment.”
Wallan went into last Saturday’s match without the services of captain Matt Gibson, who is currently serving a two-week suspension for remonstrating with an umpire.
Deputy Blake Whiteway took the leadership reigns and played a brilliant game, with support coming from Shane Crosbie, Blake Henderson and Tim Tomsky.
Dave Cornish led the goalkicking with three majors, while Chris Smith and Tomsky each kicked two.
For the Kangaroos, Leigh McInerney, Paul Newton, Jamie Cuffe and Jason Collins all starred, with goals well shared.
With a number of niggling injuries Pedersen said his side was glad their bye was this weekend, and said he believed his side could still make the finals if they hit their peak form in the run home.
SENIORS
Kangaroos 1.2, 3.5, 6.11, 11.12 (78) d
Wallan 2.4, 4.9, 6.10, 9.11 (65).
Goals (K): P. Newton, J. Collins, J. Cuffe, R. Davis 2; M. Leonard, M. Welsh, L. McInerney.
Best: L. McInerney, Newton, Cuffe, Collins, S. Davis, M. McInerney.
Goals (W): D. Cornish 3; T. Tomsky, C. Smith 2; D. Fowler, K. Marc.
Best: B. Whiteway, S. Crosbie, B. Henderson, Tomsky, D. Henderson, C. Coleman.