CHRIS McLaren could see the warning signs.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Koroit premiership coach knew the Saints would pay.
That price came in the form of a upset one-point loss to the previously winless North Warrnambool Eagles at Bushfield on Saturday.
McLaren lamented the “uncharacteristic performance from the boys” which ended their nine-game winning streak in 2018.
“It’s a performance that has been on the cards for a few weeks to be honest,” he said.
“We haven’t been playing how we’d like. We played poorly against Port Fairy, ordinary against Warrnambool and OK against Terang for a half and poorly for a half.
“We’ve lost a little bit of zip. Everyone looks a bit fatigued with one eye on the bye.”
McLaren conceded the lull reflected on his coaching.
“I did some things wrong this week and on game day made mistakes with positional stuff,” he said.
“Levi Nagorcka was good forward and we took far too long to put him on the ball.
“It’s a wake up call as coach, which never hurts.”
Koroit was 29 points down at three-quarter-time but piled on 6.5 to 2.1 in the final term to fall short.
“North Warrnambool was up for the fight,” McLaren said.
“We have to realise everyone wants to knock us over.”
It was the Saints’ first loss in 11 games. Their last defeat was against Port Fairy in the 2017 second semi-final.
“It’s our second loss since round three last year,” McLaren said.
“We are still on top of the ladder at the halfway mark.”