MATCH 11 WRAP | Mount Barker | 3 July 2010

I must give credit where credit's due; Mount Barker are an incredibly professional outfit, and they set out to win big today, and win big they did.

My coaching style is very different to most others. I believe in our players, and I'll always assume that you'll give us your best in the positions you're allocated. If you don't work hard, we don't win. It's that simple.

I noticed that the Mount Barker coach was really rattled in the first 15 minutes; a few of their players were copping it pretty hard from the sidelines, and at least one was dragged. To their coaches credit, however, it did the trick. Their players lifted, and after they'd put a few away, it was all smiles on the Mount Barker coaching bench.

Mid-way through the second, we adopted a 4-3-3-1 structure to see if we could peg one back. It didn't happen, but we came close, and we were starting to look OK. I'd like to congratulate Fiona and Milly, because it was their commitment and determination in defence that allowed us to throw the extra player up front.

I'd also like to thank Bronte and Louise for never giving up. They came together late in the game to devise a strategy that would get us close to goal, and it very nearly paid off. Louise made three brilliant runs through the centre, but Mount Barker were quick to flood their defence.

We've got a bye next week, but on 17 July 2010, we play Mount Barker again on our home turf. We'll have the State Opposition Leader, Isobel Redmond, tossing the coin and supporting us.

On the day, we'll be raffling off a signed Parliamentary wine package, and we'll also be cooking up a massive sausage sizzle storm, so please invite all your family and friends to come out and support our U14G Mt Lofty Eagles squad.

Thanks again to Fiona and Milly, as well as Claire, Alice and Greta for figuring in our best today. You were an inspiration, and you ran your legs off for us!

Thanks also to Nikhili for doing a great job in goal in the first half. It might not have felt like it Nikhili, but there wasn't much you could do, and that's why I gave you a well-deserved clap at half time. Sahara, I hope your knee's OK!

The next two training sessions are important, so please do your best to attend. We'll be talking strategy and structure, and focussing on ball/skill work.

See you at training on Tuesday, 5:30 - 7:00pm.

Result:
Mount Barker 8 - MOUNT LOFTY 0