Round 12 - Bulleen

MATCH DAY EVALUATION

Match Day 12 – Box Hill vs. Bulleen

Conditions: Mainly sunny with some cloud and some gusty breezes. Pitch in reasonable condition but green grass is virtually non existent in centre corridors. Still flat and level but showing evidence of wear and tear.

PLAN: Team was asked to:
• 110% from the start of play
• Defensively strong in first 10-15
• Be ready for hard tough play as Bulleen will want revenge
• Keep the ball on the ground
• Tackle hard, tackle often

This week’s blog will be short and succinct and take a different format to previous.

There is little to comment on with regard to Box Hill as the team was unable to cope with the physical pressure of Bulleen. Box Hill pumped the ball long every chance they got, yet the balls played out from the back and through the midfield by BH often missed the target, were poorly directed and weighted and or chose the wrong option. We constantly played high balls in to forwards who were man marked and covered by 1 or 2 additional players – a lack of footballing intelligence evident!! Despite being told to play the ball round and use our strengths, we didn’t seem to be up for the contest. As usual at home, a mix up led to Bulleen scoring a goal on one of their brief foray’s forward.

Half time score 0 - 1

Second half was little better, BH reverted to 4-4-2 and to be honest, were rarely troubled by Bulleen. But still, the contest and desire to win a hard ball, tackle an opponent, and use our skills and play was not displayed. The refereeing was inconsistent and slow, and Bulleen used every time wasting trick in the book, as I would have told them if I was their coach. BH won a penalty for an infringement in the box and scored. We had some half chances after that but never really looked like scoring

Final Score 1 - 1


Overall Comments

Opposition: As I indicated to the team prior to the match, Bulleen were humiliated on their own ground by BH in Round 3. As such, I felt and advised the team Bulleen would play defensively (which they did) and they would be hard and physical (which they were). They played 3-4 at the back, man marking de Blasio the entire game always having a spare man at the back. They had a speedy and skilful left mid who caused us some issue.

Box Hill: Shocking……… I could write pages on what the team lacked and didn’t do correctly. But I won’t.

Every player needs to take a good long hard look at themselves and decide whether and how much they want this championship.

More importantly, if players harbour a desire to play in Super League, they must first win this league, then decide their appetite for a league that is 5 times harder and faster than the A league we are in.

Look at yourself and assess:

 Did I present for the return pass?
 Did I pass effectively and to feet?
 Did I think and make the right decision?
 Am I willing to do anything to win a hard ball or do I do ‘just enough’….?
 Am I willing to put my body in the line for my team mate?
 Do I jump for every header and win every ball I compete for?
 Did I give everything or just enough, leaving responsibility to others?
 Am I following the tactics and instructions given to me by the coaching staff?
 Do I play selflessly or SELFISHLY……….?
 Am I willing to do anything for the next 6 weeks to drag my team over the line?

The BH Player’s first chance to redeem themselves comes Tuesday night against Fawkner who are 8 points clear in North 15A league, then against Casey away

Training is mandatory for all for the next 6 weeks UNLESS I know you are injured or VERY unwell…….


Coach: John Di Martino 27th July, 2009