Shepp News |
Echuca enters every game expecting to win and tomorrow’s home match against Euroa is no different, according to coach Cameron Stewart.
The 11th-placed side goes into the match with only one win to its name for the season, but has a great chance to add to that tally when the ninth-placed Magpies visit.
‘‘We are mindful of the fact that we’ve got to perform well in front of our home crowd,’’ Stewart said.
‘‘We are looking to improve on our performances over the month and put it together.
‘‘The closer we get to four-quarter performances and 21 contributors, the easier it becomes to win multiple games.’’
The Murray Bombers have won their past four games against Euroa, but both games last year were decided by three goals or less.
Despite the visitors having won two more matches this year, both teams have similar offensive and defensive records and are separated by less than three percentage points.
Although the team was sitting at one win and nine losses in 2013, those judging Echuca should look beyond the simple win-loss ratio, Stewart said.
‘‘When I first became part of the recruiting and coaching group, we established that it goes far beyond the win-loss ration to where we’re at,’’ he said.
‘‘We have to build it professionally and we have to build it right.
‘‘I believe we are making some inroads and I feel we have the right people inside the club.
‘‘(President) Brett (Stevens) is doing a terrific job off ground with the committee and the feeling at the club is very good.
‘‘At the end of the day, people may look at the win-loss record and think we’re battling.
‘‘Internally, we are as frustrated as everyone else, but by the same token, we didn’t know we would miss eight of our best 16 players for five to seven weeks of the first 10, and another four or five players won’t play for the rest of the year,’’ Stewart said.
‘‘You can’t plan for that and all you can do is dig a bit deeper as a group and a club and come out the other side.
‘‘We’re edging closer to that.
‘‘We have made changes to accommodate that and played people 12 to 15 months ahead of time, but that’s life.
‘‘You deal with what’s in front of you. That’s what we have done and what we will continue to do.’’
In a boost for the home side, forward Nick Jackson will return to the line-up and captain Brendan Prendergast and Ben Mason could also be included.
They will complement the impressive games of Simon Buckley, Rhys Archard and Tom Stevens in recent weeks, while youngsters Tom Monahan and Matt Hay have been impressive in defence.
Their output will have to be matched again with the prospect of facing Luke Hyatt, who has kicked nine goals in three games since returning to Euroa after stints at Norwood and Northern Football League club Bundoora.
‘‘We will bank on our kids to go out there and do a job,’’ Stewart said.
‘‘We’re just looking forward to another challenge, to get out there and get this group playing good football.’’
