Shepp News |
There is one way Mooroopna coach Blake Campbell says his Cats can improve on their loss to reigning premier Tatura six weeks ago.
They need to play better.
Campbell will not make wholesale changes for tomorrow’s contest to try to counter his side’s 21-point round seven defeat to the Bulldogs, but expects each player — some more than others — to respond.
‘‘We did so many things wrong,’’ Campbell said of Mooroopna’s last match with Tatura.
‘‘Every club goes through the same issues, but we were poor at defensive 50 stoppages and our accountability was atrocious.
‘‘You could flick things around and change this or that, but it’s more about our mental approach than a structure-type thing.’’
Campbell pinpointed defenders Shayne Lynch, Kane Boyer and Charlie Burrows as three who lowered their colours last time and predicted them to bounce back.
Daniel Lewis returns from Victoria Country duty for the Cats, while Bulldogs Brendon Hollow, Tom Miller and Paul Kirby could all be back after missing for the same reason last weekend.
Kirby is in some doubt due to a leg infection, which had its origins in a game several weeks ago, when he cut one of his shins.
He is back at work and receiving antibiotics through an intravenous drip.
Tatura coach Scott Grigg said Kirby would be named, but he would know more about the interleague ruckman’s playing status closer to game time.
Back-up ruckman Daniel Flynn would have the mighty task of going head-to-head with reigning Morrison medallist and AFL premiership player Mark Blake if Kirby fails to recover in time.
‘‘Daniel’s progressing well as a back-up ruckman and his ability to ruck is definitely his strength,’’ Grigg said.
‘‘We’re trying to develop him in other areas and that’s coming along slowly, but last week he competed well against another up-and-coming ruckman in (Shepparton’s Ash) Holland.’’
Mooroopna also regains Karl Lohde (unavailable), who is temporarily living with Campbell, but loses ex-AFL defender Jason Roe (unavailable) in what is a trend at Catland.
Mooroopna’s trump card remains its tall forwards, in particular Lewis and Rob Osborne, but ensuring they get enough supply is vitally important.
Lewis and Osborne, who are likely to have Tom Durward and Jayden Young, respectively, for company again, proved — if only in the opening quarter last time — they could pose problems with enough chances.
Chris Ryan, who, like Ben Waite, James Sullivan and Hollow, did not play in the first bout between the clubs, is another key defensive option for Grigg.
‘‘We’ve got the talls to combat (the Cats’ forward strength),’’ Grigg said.
‘‘They did have a lot of inside 50s in the first quarter, but we were able to dry them up in the second and third quarters and create enough ourselves.’’
The first-placed Bulldogs are unbeaten in five games since defeating Mooroopna, but Grigg said a tough end to the home-and-away season would present a challenge.
