South coach makes no excuses
GOOD football clubs don’t make excuses.
It’s hard for a coach, its players and supporters to accept when they were bad.
Justifying why you lost is sometimes easier than accepting the reasons why you were beaten.
South Mildura were totally outplayed by Mildura on Saturday, everyone at Sarah Oval would acknowledge that, but the difference between this Bulldogs team and the ones which have come before them in recent years is they didn’t make any excuses.
They were totally outplayed by the Demons who are a good footy side and with a bit of luck will press for a finals berth.
But the Dogs shouldn’t be written off, it’s strange to say that, but because they now hold themselves accountable and their coach doesn’t use cliches to justify a loss they are very much in the mix.
“Boys we were poor,” South Mildura coach John Pratt said as he addressed his players after his side’s 43-point loss.
“If you train like you did on Tuesday and Thursday night then this is what you get.
“No more excuses. Forget about the last two years. This is a different football club and what happened out there is not acceptable.
“We are a better than that, you are better than that. If you want to become a good footy side then it takes hard work.
“I am happy to pat you on the back and sing your praises if we are sitting five games clear at the top of the ladder – we aren’t, that’s the worst performance we have served up – not one of you should feel happy with that.
“It’s not a matter of getting back on the track and fixing things, it’s about you blokes, about us as a footy club realising that was not acceptable.”
They were strong words from a coach who is trying to build a culture within a football club which has been starved of success in recent in years.
But Pratt’s words certainly had an impact and while they didn’t get the four points they took a giant step forward as a football club.
Captain Chris Sellens echoed his coach’s sentiments.
Sellens is a warrior, he never drops his head, works hard for his teammates and sets an example all captains should.
“Let’s get better boys, what happened today (Saturday) isn’t what we want to be known for,” Sellens said. “We aren’t that far away, but we need to be better than that.”
Football score
Netball – South rise to second
SOUTH Mildura surged into second position with a comfortable 26-goal win over Mildura on Saturday at Sarah Oval in round 9 of SFNL A grade netball.
The Dogs completed the final round of the first half of the season with a clinical display in front of their vocal home crowd.
The reigning premiers have avoided much of the attention this season with ladder leaders Wentworth and a much-improved Irymple claiming most of the headlines.
But the Bulldogs are looking serious contenders to claim back-to-back titles if their first half is any indication.
Saturday’s win was expected, but it was the way they went about it that impressed those who were on hand to watch.
“We are a really versatile side and we threw a few players around on Saturday,” South Mildura coach Loretta Thompson said.
“It’s always good to be able to try players in different positions because when you come up against the better sides it is good to know you have options.”
It is South Mildura’s willingness to work together that gives them a definite edge.
A great team will always outplay a team of individuals. This is so true when it comes to Bulldogs.
There is no questioning the talent and depth within their ranks, but even the stars of their side like Rhianna Toms still do the little things that are needed to win matches.
Toms was at her brilliant best again on Saturday, receiving great support from Tina Wilke.
The Demons received outstanding service from goal attack Maddison Alvino, who was a target in each of the four quarters.
Wing attack Renae Phillips also provided plenty of drive up and down the court.
Mildura will start the second half of the season with a bye while the Bulldogs take on fourth-placed Imperials in the match of the round this week.
Netball score
Photos and story courtesy of Sunraysia Daily
The following is the round 9 summary from the weekly footy guide (R10)
It might be half way through the 2019 season but we are nowhere near half way where we would like to be………but as I said at our final club function last year…………. ……………“ THE BEST WAY TO PREDICT THE FUTURE IS TO CREATE IT “……………. Success in any discipline does not come without making sacrifices, working hard toward a goal and never letting defeat rule you………It’s a mindset of pushing that doubt that may creep in to the side and truly believing in your own and your teams ability to turn the perceived improbably into the possible.
So…..this week we are back to the future against Imps at #1……..Pratty and the boys will be out for redemption looking forward to the challenge that lay ahead this week.
Our Reserves notched up a solid win pushing back into 5th spot. Chickens men put in a good game to come out winners by 54 points, coming into this week’s game another win is what’s needed to keep in touch with the top 4 and push to be one of the final 4 teams come the end of round 18.
The U18’s and coach Luke Stone have had a tough season to date with just the 2 wins, however have been close to wins and just get piped at the post so not really respective of how these young blokes are travelling and going about it, with a full team this group will push the front runners on any given day.
Goose and his U16 charges also have had a modest season thus far, the back half may bring some better results for our young pups, with only 1 win away from knocking on the door of the 4 these boys are in the mix.
Azz and Cookie with the U14 and U14 colts are sitting 4th and 3rd respectively and are looking forward to making inroads to cement their spots in the top 4 to assure some September action.
Our netball teams across all grades worked hard for some great results and look forward to today’s match ups vs Imperials.
The club is looking forward to our Mid-Season Gala Ball tonight at the Workers, a major sponsor of our club for many years tonight gives us the opportunity to pay back the massive support this business provides to our great club. Tickets have sold out beyond expectations and we look forward to a ‘ Great Night Out ‘
Good Luck to all our Football and Netball teams today……….(Round 10 22.6.19)
The Barking Bulldog
The following photos are courtesy of Football Mildura FB page
