Submitted by Jo on August 17, 2010 - 3:15pm
Submitted so far: Women's and Men's B teams.
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AUTC Women Bees
The last couple of weeks have seen the side play with 0 subs, other than the last 5 minutes this week just gone. Despite this it has seen two of our best half performances which has really shown how much this side has progressed throughout this season.
Both weeks our second halves have been massive, showing inspiring and relentless defensive and driving efforts. Referees and opposition players have all commented regards the level of improvement of this side this season. This shows the importance of setting yourself goals rather than focusing on winning. You make the most improvements by focusing how to improve rather than stressing that you may or may or may not win.
Within the players who I received team goals from, we have achieved all of those goals with still three weeks remaining. We wanted to improve our driving and this is undoubtedly a strength in our game now. It is becoming rare that we don't make the attacking line when have the ball in offence. We hit he ball with good depth and good intensity and the biggest improvement has seen us initiate the touch well, driving to the side of players and at holes, making really good yards time and time again.
Our defence has improved with its communication which at the start of the season, and understandably so in an unfamiliar and newbie team, was quiet and infrequent. Our defensive slide has improved greatly and the trust in each player helping each other has been fantastic to see.
The last couple of weeks has also seen us become more aggressive at attacking the line with players gaining confidence in their half running and realising that to get good at it and create attacking options they have to give it a crack; it's the only way to learn. We have done this with great poise as well, always waiting to the second to last or last touch to take this opportunity on.
This side has really been a pleasure to coach due to seeing the improvement in the side. I would like to thank a few players who really have shown the most regular commitment to this side this season and believe that the improvement and success has been greatly influenced by these players, I apologise if anyone thinks I have forgotten them. Cassie, Chrissie, Kate, Kathleen thank you for being committed.
Thank you to all those women also who have helped us out with subs throughout the season so far. I am really looking forward to the next few weeks and seeing the continual improvement.
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Men's B
The last few weeks has seen some fantastic form and then some less than satisfactory moments where we have been a little disappointed in ourselves. Saying this, the positives have far outweighed the negatives with two recent wins and a narrow loss.
When this side gels it gels very well and whatever it does comes off, when things don't go to plan, then the heads drop a little and all the great work we have often just done is forgotten about. We need to work on picking ourselves up after scores and take the attitude and confidence that we will get it back. In any sport the mental aspect is key. One piece of advice from me is that if you are thinking about the score just gone you are obviously not thinking about what you are going to do or are doing. Hence why it is a good idea to sub if you have just been scored on.
We have some great drivers in this team. Paul Seacombe tonight really showed what great driving can do, hitting holes and straightening to score two easy tries in the end. Saying this, there was fantastic support and drives prior to the end score which caused the defence to be out of position, this was supplied by Brad Clair, Shane Marshall and David House. Yes, I did say that: supportive driving by Dave House, something I thought I may never hear myself say :) This side has came a long way with its driving this year and if it can keep consistent within this then will really push any team in this division.
The line attack is starting to get more composed, which is something we have tried to consciously do this season. We need to continue to work on this so that when we are attacking the line we are looking to set up our speed and agility in a way that we can exploit the opposition.
To enable the team to gain the composure we require on the line we need to respect and give ownership to those players who regularly attend training as they are the ones who can control our line attack, knowing exactly what we are trying to set up and where. We definitely look more controlled and threatening when Spurlo, Paul, Adam or Shane take control of the attack, settling it and setting up our patience move. This has really came along in leaps in bounds and soon will see the 50:50 opportunities moving to 25:75s in the right direction.
Cant wait til next week when we play the league leaders. Come on the excitement machine which is the Men's B team :)
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