TERANG-Mortlake’s footballers consider themselves realists.
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Their best has been breathtaking, claiming the scalps of flag hopefuls North Warrnambool Eagles and Port Fairy.
But the drop off in between has been sizeable, with humbling thumpings at the hands of Camperdown and South Warrnambool.
They know their challenges are not behind them yet.
Bloods coach Michael Sargeant succinctly summed up the battle facing the Bloods as a need to find consistency, starting with a trip to Hanlon Park to take on Portland this Saturday.
“In a sense, (the win over Port Fairy) probably does (boost confidence) a little bit, but I said after the first game against North Warrnambool: we’re realists,” he said.
“So we’ve got to keep backing up those performances. There’s no point doing it once and not playing to your potential the next three or four weeks.”
Bloods defender Tom McKenzie, who makes the trip down from St Kilda to line up for the team each week, said inconsistency was to be expected from a young playing group, but that digging deep for a four-quarter effort each week was their challenge.
“With a young team, it’s hard to find some consistency at times, but when we’re all playing our best, we can beat anyone,” he said.
“Definitely the pressure – especially with the young team – it’s one of our strengths.
“They’re really good at tackling and everyone has been able to run out a full game and pressure right up to the end of the game.”
McKenzie praised the input of young Northern Territory recruits Jess Budarick and Brodie Carroll, who have been key contributors playing on the ball, through the middle and resting forward.
“They’re pretty young guys and their pressure is just through the roof,” he said.
“It’s been incredible, especially in the two wins we’ve had. They’ve definitely been a great part of our wins.”