WARRNAMBOOL coach Scott Carter is expecting a fired-up Terang Mortlake to make a statement early in today’s blockbuster at Reid Oval.
“They haven’t had the start to the season they would have been looking for,” Carter said. “I’m sure they will come out really hard early and we just have to weather that.
“We’ve had poor starts in the first two games and we need to get better at our starts.”
The Blues, with a 1-1 record after a close win against defending premier South Warrnambool and 13-point loss to Koroit last week, have to improve, Carter said.
“We will be looking this week to ensure we don’t play in patches to ensure our work rate and endeavour is up there from the first bounce to the final siren,” he said.
“You are not going to control the football for 100 per cent of the game but if your work rate and endeavour is up you will limit the damage.”
Carter said two tough assignments to start the season had his players ready for another keenly-contested game.
“We are up and about,” he said.
He said the loss of key forward Travis Graham with a back injury would hurt but he believed the Blues had options to cover his absence.
Terang Mortlake coach Shane Threlfall said the Bloods’ makeshift line-up was ready for the challenge despite losing five players at selection, including key big man Steve Staunton (groin).
“The young blokes will bring some excitement and enthusiasm to the side,” he said.
“They will just go out and play exciting footy.
“Warrnambool are just a mature side. We know we have to be at the top of our game.”
Despite the changes, Threlfall said the Bloods were keen to get their first win of the season.
“We give ourselves a chance every week. It’s a matter of being at the top of your game for the full four quarters,”he said.
“We have had one 15-minute lapse that has hurt us each week.”