Storm co-coach praises work rate

A TRIPLE premiership-winning coach at Strathfieldsaye, Darryl Wilson said Storm’s dramatic lift in work rate played a big part in Saturday’s winning start to the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football League’s finals series.

The Wilson and Shannon Geary-coached Storm outplayed Golden Square for most of the qualifying final at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Although well-beaten by the Bulldogs in the home-and-away series, including just seven days before finals, Storm marked a 38-point victory in the qualifying clash with the blue and gold.

Strathfieldsaye led 36-3 at quarter-time and held a three-goal buffer by the long break after the Dogs were astray at goal as they scored 4.6 to 2.3 in the second.

Storm won the third term, 13-2, and then slammed on 5.4 to 2.3 in the last quarter to complete a resounding 98-60 victory.

Baxter Slater kicked seven goals in a best-on-ground performance.

At the other end of the ground it was teenager Mitch Hallinan who took on and held Bulldogs’ gun forward Joel Brett to a goal.

A big obstacle in Storm’s trek to a fourth consecutive grand final is Gisborne, which Strathfieldsaye will play in this Saturday’s second semi-final.

Wilson said there were so many positives to take from the qualifying final.

“The work rate and pressure in and around the contest was fantastic,” he said. “We knew we would have to work hard to eliminate Golden Square’s run and carry.

“They are a quality team who a week earlier had really hurt us, not just in winning the footy, but their ability to move the ball quickly.”

Six goals to nil in the opening term lifted Storm’s confidence, but what was just as crucial was Strathfieldsaye’s defensive play, especially the back six.

“They were outstanding,” said Wilson. “Mitch Hallinan is confident in his ability to win one-on-one duels and not daunted by who he is up against.

“Lachlan Ratcliffe also did a great job in limiting the impact that Jayden Burke had across half-forward or closer to goal.”

Storm will regain on-baller Callum McCarty for Saturday’s showdown with a Gisborne line-up that’s has won both clashes with Strathfieldsaye this season.