The Standard | NIRRANDA coach Aidan Cole wants a disappointing loss to Panmure to be a wake-up call for his players.
The Blues produced one of their worst displays for the season in the 15.8 (98) to 7.10 (52) loss at Nirranda Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
“We’re disappointed about that game, definitely. We know we’re a better side than that,” Cole said.
“The best thing that came out of it was it’s a bit more of a kick in the butt, get to training and work even harder.”
The result dropped the Blues to seventh on the Warrnambool and District league ladder – a far cry from early in the season, when they were within reach of a top-three spot.
“The start of the year we took the game on, we were making dangerous kicks through the midfield,” Cole said.
“They were coming off and we were running off and creating play and opening the game up.
“Now we’ve gone back to the old ways, stop-start footy, but we’re not that big size. We can’t kick to packs down the line every time.”
Key defender Bronte McCann earned their best-player honours while the Blues were pleased with captain Jack Spokes, Dylan Willshere and Dylan Lee.
Peter McDowall kicked two goals and was another solid contributor. But John Paulin (knee) and Rick Spokes (quad) finished carrying injuries.
