Coach’s Column Round 5

29.04.16 15:47

This weekend presents us with another opportunity to get it right.

With the team fighting out a gritty win against Redland last round, players are starting to find their feet. Ben Rioli, the ANZAC game medalist, was on fire early and set the scene for his teammates to follow suit.

It only takes a couple of guys out on the field to play with passion and determination before it becomes contagious and the others start to lift and play a better, more ‘Thunder-esque’ brand of footy.

If you look at a professional, like one of the Territory’s favourite son’s Cyril Rioli and his last few games, then it should come as no surprise that a team with Cyril in it (and others just like him) was never going to just lie down and accept defeat.

A flash of excitement, a single moment of brilliance can be enough to inspire.

While we were a bit flat on our last trip south and got well schooled by Sydney University, playing in an AFL curtain raiser game always delivers an extra level of excitement for the players. And it doesn’t get much bigger than preceding two in-form sides like the GWS GIANTS and Hawthorn (the greatest team in the last 10 years).

I’m sure the boys will find an extra gear and if they stick to their attitude from the past few weeks then the bigger issue might just be; which Rioli will perform better on the day? Hawthorn’s or ours?

No doubt Cyril will pop his head over the fence to see how his Territory boys are going and more importantly check in on his two cousins, Ben and Shannon.

We hope to return north with the four points. Go Thunder!