Hampton Park coach Josh Taylor lays down the law to his troops during their loss to Tooradin on Saturday.By Brad Kingsbury
A NEW uncomplicated game plan, combined with belief that it’s a genuine chance in every contest, helped Tooradin to a barnstorming 44-point victory over Hampton Park at the Western Port oval on Saturday.
The Redbacks approached the clash with confidence and looked on their game from the start with key forwards Matt Shorey, Kevin McLean and Shane Moffatt presenting well with the aid of a slight breeze in the opening term.
Hampton Park led by two goals at the first change and that margin should have been greater, given the Redbacks had the majority of play and controlled the ball around the ground, but did not apply scoreboard pressure as they should have.
At the first break, Tooradin coach Cristian O’Brien asked his players to stay focussed and stick to team rules and it paid dividends with the Seagulls taking a two-point lead into half-time.
This was thanks largely to an increase in work rate around the ground from Adam Splatt, Michael Hobbs and big ruckman Steve Arvanitis.
Hampton Park missed the running drive from defence of James Van Elewoud, who left the ground in the opening term after being poleaxed in a collision with Seagull recruit Chad Liddell, and the home side exposed the Redbacks’ pace in the second half.
Despite coach Josh Taylor keeping a close check on Liddell, the Seagull midfield got on top and took advantage of Arvanitis’ dominance in the air.
The Seagulls led by two goals at the final change and then put the foot on the accelerator in front of its cheering fans in the last quarter to bolt away and record a convincing victory.
Arvanitis finished with four goals and was named best afield from Beau Miller, Splatt, Adam Galea and Nathan Findlay and O’Brien said that it was pleasing to watch the progress of the playing group over the past few weeks.
“We made quite a few mistakes early, but it was a matter of staying focussed,” he said.
“The game style that we’re using is pretty simple and we believe that if we keep it that way we’ll minimise the mistakes made and play effective football. That happened in the second half.”
“I’ve got a core of experience now and combined with the younger core who know that if they go out and are prepared to compete and do the things required for the good of the team, the results will come.
“We’re not kidding ourselves, we’ve still got a lot of improvement in us, but we’re looking forward to our games now and we’re starting to get much more of an even contribution from all in the group.”
Shorey battled hard across the four quarters for the Redbacks, while Gary Murphy, Ryan Simpson and Dean Jamieson also contributed well, but Taylor was shattered by the result and said the season was slipping away.
“We knew their strength was their midfield and we thought if we could break even in the last quarter we could get enough of the ball to our forwards to win the game but they absolutely smashed us and that was it,” said the dejected coach.
“We started well, but missed some shots at goal and that gives your opponent a sniff. We were flat at half-time even though there was nothing in it and I can’t put my finger on it, but there was no spark.
“We need to get a win on the board, but this competition has improved so much and if you don’t play four quarters you will lose – it’s that simple.”
