PREMIERSHIP coach Shane Threlfall is urging his side to sharpen its on-field discipline after coughing up countless free kicks in Nirranda’s loss to Kolora-Noorat.
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The Blues lost leading goalkicker Gary Robinson to illness pre-game, leaving Jack Primmer and Robbie Gregg to lead the line in the 8.14 (62) to 11.9 (75) loss.
Threlfall described the loss as an “off day” but was optimistic the Blues could bounce back with three rounds until finals.
“Our discipline was a bit ordinary at times, they niggled us and we fell for it a bit,” he said.
“Hopefully the guys can use (the loss) as a catalyst to play good footy from now on.
“Hopefully it’s a wake-up call.”
Threlfall, who guided Nirranda to a drought breaking premiership alongside co-coach Shane Quick last season, admitted his side missed Robinson’s presence but said it wasn’t the reason for the loss.
“(Robinson) was crook through the week, we gave him until Saturday morning but he didn’t come up,” Threlfall said.
“It’s just a flu or virus type thing, so he’ll be fine to go. You’re always going to miss the leading goalkicker, being such a strong target.
“He relieves a bit of pressure on Robbie Gregg who can then play as that crumbing forward. It has an effect but it’s not the reason we lost.”
Sam Harkin and Jason Moloney were serviceable in their return for Kolora-Noorat, but Peter Moloney was named best-on-ground for his shut-down role on Gregg.
Power coach Danny Finn said his men had “belief” out of the triumph.
“We tried to stop their run out of stoppages, and from half-back. When we did that, we were able to see if they had a plan B and C,” he said.
“We were also pretty tall compared to them – that wasn’t by strategy or design – it was more because they didn’t have (Robinson) playing.
“But I thought in our forward line we had more height too. (Bailey) Kemp was dangerous, (Ben) Fraser had a good battle again… Sam Williams and Sam Harkin were damaging as well.
“We were working on getting some front and square action for those guys to capitalise on.”
Finn said his side would be positive about “our ability to win” in a range of circumstances leading into finals after grinding out their last two victories.