Coach’s Column Round 11

10.06.16 16:18

We take a lot of positives away from last weekend’s game against the Giants, although we only kicked two goals in the second half which both come in the third quarter, stats show we had our opportunities!

This was evident with 62 forward-50 entries to the Giants’ 39! From the 23rd minute mark of the third quarter Thunder had 23 forward 50 entries, this is a staggering stat considering we only kicked two goals. So it’s evident we are getting our hands on the footy (58 more times than the opposition to be exact) but execution is letting us down. The good news is this can be easily fixed!

This was evident with 62 forward-50 entries to the Giants’ 39! From the 23rd minute mark of the third quarter Thunder had 23 forward 50 entries, this is a staggering stat considering we only kicked two goals. So it’s evident we are getting our hands on the footy (58 more times than the opposition to be exact) but execution is letting us down. The good news is this can be easily fixed!

Continuing to train hard and reinforcing messages about our structure and game style, we know that works for us. Consistency in effort by all 23 players over four quarters is the big challenge.

It’s time to hit the road again, as we take on the Apsley Hornets in our round 11 NEAFL clash. Over the past two and a half years we have played the Hornets eight times, including last year’s grand final, so we know them well!

In football terms it has built a great rivalry and I also feel it has built a mutual respect between both clubs.

With some injuries sustained last weekend it opens the door for some of our under 18 State Academy players to step up to the seniors. Patrick Taban has been terrific in the two senior NEAFL games he has played and Ezekiel Frank continues to grow as a player. Both will get their chance to play a vital role in this weekend’s game.

Thunder fan favorite Liam Patrick also comes back in the side. After his nine hour drive into Darwin then four hour flight to Brisbane, it will have to go down as one of the longest trips to play a game of football, totaling almost 4,500 km’s one way!

We hope to bring the four points back with us on the return leg. Follow our social accounts for all the action or tune into NEAFL’s live streaming to cheer us on.
Go Thunder!