Defence a priority for Swans after Burra loss

BALLARAT coach Ash Baker says the Swans will go to work on improving their team defence after succumbing to Sebastopol last Saturday.

The Swans trailed at every change of end against the Burra, though not by more than seven points, on their way to a 15-point loss on their home ground at Alfredton.

Their fate was sealed when they conceded the first three goals of the final term before adding one of their own late before time ran out.

It was a disappointing follow-up to their fighting round 1 victory over North Ballarat, with the Burra appearing to dictate terms for much of the clash.

“To be fair, they missed a few shots early and could have been a bit further up at quarter-time,” Baker said.

“Once we got our teeth into the game, we weren’t too bad, but we just struggled to defend a bit.

“Once they got it in, their forwards were able to find a bit too much space, too easily.

 

“We got lost a bit going forward and the opportunities we did have, we butchered the ball a bit, so that didn’t help us either.”

The Swans showed glimpses of their capabilities, most notably during a six-goal-to-five second term, which brought them within one point of the Burra at half-time after a late goal form Biggie Nyuon.

Baker gave full credit to Sebastopol for a committed and persistent performance.

“They will be a very good side. They have a couple of good new additions, so I’d imagine they’ll bounce back up the ladder,” he said.

“There’s every chance there will be a bit of a logjam for positions at some stage, with a few sides around the mark.

“I’m sure they will be one of them.”

Baker said while his side’s best players were tough to find, Fraser Perkins was a standout, continuing his bright start to the season.

Patrick Graham battled hard in the ruck in an entertaining duel with Ben Hutt, while Lewis and Zac Rinaldi were prominent throughout.

Paddy Simpson (three goals) and Nyuon (two goals) looked dangerous at times, but a return of two second-half goals in total was never likely going to get the job done.

 

“We’ll need to work on the basic fundamentals; when we get a chance and we are out, we need to not turn the ball over as much,” Baker said.

“And the same when we don’t have the ball, we need to defend better.

“We’ll take some time to gel. I said to the boys a few weeks ago, we will be a better product in the second half of the year than we will be the first half and I’m sticking to that.”

In other games, Darley came from behind in the final quarter for a second straight week for another stirring win, this time over East Point.

The Kangaroos, chasing their first win of the season following losses to Bacchus Marsh and Sebastopol, held a five-point lead after Jarrod Joyce goaled deep in the last quarter.

But a run of goals to Joel Cadman and Nick Hind, who each kicked two in time-on, and Rhys Younger helped lift the Devils to a 16.17 (133) to 13.7 (85) win.

Joyce, who finished the day with five goals, was easily the Roos’ best ahead of Jackson Merrett, Liam Howard, Liam Canny, Thomas Brown and Mickitja Rotumah-Onus, while Brett Bewley, Billy Myers, Hind and the Cadmans – Joel and Duncan – were the pick of the Devils and instrumental in righting the ship.

North Ballarat rebounded from an opening round loss to defeat an in-form Bacchus Marsh by 24 points.

Sunbury defeated Redan by 34 points, with Patrick Scanlon and Dan Johnston both kicking four goals, while Melton beat Lake Wendouree 24.22 (166) to 3.6 (24).