By Will Spence
The well-placed Coldstream outfit were given a major fright on the weekend against a gallant Scoresby side but came through to move into second spot on the Division Three ladder.
Coldstream’s coach Chad Rogers was impressed with his side’s fight after a slow start in the first half but is adamant his side needs to be switched on from the first bounce.
“It took us a while to get our game going, we had a good first quarter last week, but this week we weren’t switched on.
“But to come back and have a really good strong win, probably a little bit undermanned as well was really pleasing.”
Coldstream’s team defence in the 3rd quarter played a crucial role in holding Scoresby to one solitary point and led the charge towards a three-goal lead at three quarter time. Rogers was pleased with his outfits resilience and effort to turn the tide.
“That was a good quarter, we got the game in a position where we were able to hold on,
“To concede early goals, it was nice to see the fight from the back six and the ability of the group to shift the momentum.”
The midfield unit of Coldstream played a pivotal role in the second half, with Cain Eisele, Darcy Carrigan and Lauchlan Craig impressing Rogers.
“Cain Eisele who played a really good game through contested football in the midfield, plus the usual suspects, Darcy Carrigan, and Lauchlan Craig played really good games.”
The advantage of a two-pronged ruck attack at Rogers expense was the game changer in the 2nd half, with his side dominant at centre bounce and stoppage clearances around the ground.
“Having two decent rucks, it’s giving us an advantage through the middle, and I thought Jesse Lehmann really stood up for us.”
Early contender, Waverley Blues were given an almighty scare on the weekend against the winless Ferntree Gully.
However, Rogers doesn’t want his side to get carried away heading into what shapes as the match of the round in Division Three, masking sure they head into the game having the right effort and attitude for such a game.
“We have a big game this week against Waverley Blues, we know if we bring the right attitude, it’s going to be a great challenge for the boys and it’s about getting them focused for the next game,
“The whole competition is so tight, I think if any team that’s off five to ten percent, you’re going to lose in division three,
“It would give us a lot of confidence (beating Waverley), if the effort and attitude is right, it will set us up for the remainder of the year.”