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<\/p>\n
They trailed league leaders Darley by 16 points during the final quarter, before missing an easy shot at goal enroute to a 24-point loss in round seven, and led Bacchus Marsh midway through the final term in round two before going down by 19 points.<\/p>\n
At two wins behind the Cobras going into their clash against Lake Wendouree, Learmonth branded the next two weeks as crucial.<\/p>\n
“Although it doesn’t look great on paper, the season is still alive for us,” he said.<\/p>\n
“And it’s in our own hands.<\/p>\n
“We need to put some results on the board. We have been in every game except probably the North game, but we haven’t got the results to show for it.<\/p>\n
“Lakers \u2026 it’s probably going to be like their grand final, playing us. We are the closest to them on the ladder.<\/p>\n
“We need to be ready.”<\/p>\n
Learmonth can draw on plenty positives coming out of the first chunk of the season.<\/p>\n
“We have played some pretty good football. Our ball movement has been a real positive,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We have played 38 players already in the senior side and each week we’ve had about 16 guys under 20.<\/p>\n
“It’s just that maturity in performance and effort to get a result that is holding us back.”<\/p>\n
Among the bright spots has been the stellar performances in the ruck of Rudie Ford and Rory Gunsser off half back, while Taj Bond has produced a solid last month up forward.<\/p>\n
Learmonth said Gunsser, who spent the pre-season with Essendon’s VFL team, had been a player opposition clubs had put plenty of thought into in terms of a match-up.<\/p>\n
“He’s probably been averaging over 30 possessions, as has Brody Pope through the middle, while Khy Jess as our captain as a 19-year-old having played about 25 games, has been in good touch,” Learmonth said.<\/p>\n
“His pre-season at Essendon has held him in really good stead.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
REDAN coach Gary Learmonth admits the Lions’ season is reaching a critical stage as they get set to return to action after the King’s Birthday long weekend bye. While the Lions have won just one of their eight matches this season, a finals berth remains in play at two wins behind sixth-placed Bacchus Marsh. A […]<\/p>\n