WARRNAMBOOL will use the Hampden league bye to navigate its way through a rare form slump.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Blues’ grip on third spot and a coveted double chance come finals slipped after they suffered their third straight defeat on Saturday.
Warrnambool coach John Cook labelled the 17.8 (110) to 14.11 (95) loss to Port Fairy at Reid Oval “bitterly disappointing”. But the first-year mentor is refusing to give up on his charges.
“The bonus is we have the ability,” Cook said.
“We’ve got good cattle to play really good footy, we’ve just got to make sure we remain focus.”
Cook lamented wasted opportunities against the fast-finishing Seagulls.
The Blues led at every change and were up by as much as three goals at stages.
But Cook said they failed to strike a match-winning blow.
“We squandered opportunities again, missed goals we should have kicked so Port Fairy was never out of the game,” he said.
“I think Port Fairy found a way to lift. Their attack on the ball and work rate was much better than ours in the last half of the last quarter.”
Cook said there were positives to take out of the game, including the debut of Aaron Robertson who replaced the ill Will Paulin.
Captain Jason Rowan slotted five goals, Martin van Rooy played a close-checking game on Port Fairy jet Daniel Nicholson and midfielder Darcy Graham tried hard.
Cook said Graham was one of the Blues’ most consistent performers this season.
“He is fit and his courage around the stoppages is fantastic,” he said.
“