Bendigo Advertiser | LOCKINGTON-Bamawm United coach John Halloran says his players’ enthusiasm remains high, despite what has been the club’s toughest start to a season since joining the Heathcote District league in 2001.
The four-time defending premier Cats are 0-3 for the first time in the HDFL, yet to win a quarter and already been on the end of two hidings of at least 70 points in their first three games.
The Cats were always going to battle to maintain the lofty standards of years gone by after losing 10 of last season’s premiership team, and that became evident in round one when they were crushed by 166 points by North Bendigo in the grand final rematch.
The Cats have since been beaten by Mount Pleasant (27) and Leitchville-Gunbower (70) ahead of Saturday’s away game against Colbinabbin.
“Because they are all young local boys and really good mates, the feeling around the club is still really positive,” Halloran said on Friday.
“Over the past four years we’ve had a car load coming from Melbourne on a weekend, but this year all the boys are there at training during the week, but we’re just lacking that bit of class of the Melbourne players.
“I still believe our top-line onballers are as good as any side, it’s just the depth is proving a challenge.
“No-one is going to be able to wave a magic wand and turn these young players into consistent senior footballers, but we’re certainly trying to work on that.”
The Cats’ depth will be further tested on Saturday against the Grasshoppers, with Kahl Oliver (ankle) unlikely to play, while Adrian Dohnt (overseas) and ruckman Rhys Woodland (wrist) are definite outs.
While the Cats will go in as underdogs, Halloran is well aware the Grasshoppers were beaten by Leitchville-Gunbower last week when they had also carried the favourites tag.
“We know Colbo has a lot of quality in its side and they go in as favourites as they did last week, but probably didn’t handle it that well,” Halloran said.
“If we can get a good start and get some scoreboard pressure on them early, we’ll see how they react to it.”
Meanwhile, several HDFL clubs will be taking part in the league’s Pink Sports Day on Saturday in support of Breast Cancer Network Australia.
Huntly’s footballers will wear pink socks and the netballers pink bibs against Leitchville-Gunbower, while the club will be running a raffle, spinning wheel and money tins ro raise funds.
The Hawks will have a pink theme around the ground, as will Elmore, which will be using pink netballs in its games against Mount Pleasant.
