Ive experienced my first game at Toyota Park as the home team coach and playing as well as we did and chalking up a win, it was an excellent start to our season and a night I very much enjoyed.
The most pleasing aspect of the match was the desire and hunger the players showed in their defensive effort and it came as a result of the healthy commitment theyve all put into their preparation both last week and throughout the pre season. It was a great lesson in what they can achieve with a total dedication to preparation and training.
I was happy with the execution of what we worked at in the off season and its the job of the players, myself and the coaching staff, to ensure everybody keeps working hard to improve individually, which in turn will help us to improve as a team.
The win was extra satisfying for the players considering some of the negative press theyve had, and it would have been especially enjoyable for Noddy and Dyksy, who have copped a fair amount of criticism from some quarters. So its nice to put that criticism to bed for at least a week, but we have to turn up again next week just as committed and ready to display a similar consistency on game day and in all aspects of our preparation.
Another pleasing aspect to come from the first game was the fact that we had no injuries, which means at present we have great pressure being put on for all positions in the team, with only Paul Gallen on the sidelines and unavailable through injury.
We now move on and look forward to playing the newcomers the Titans, in what will also be another big challenge for our team. I watched the Titans match last night and spoke to their coach John Cartwright, with the disappointment of the loss to St George easily read in his voice. Im sure they will be even more determined this coming week to play well and get a win and we will need to show a similar commitment to the game and to our preparation.
Not only next week, but throughout the season it will be important for us show consistency in our performance, in particular in our defence. As the season progresses, other teams will improve and while we had a good win in our first game, if we are to be successful this year we will have to go along with that trend and continually improve our game as well.
Although it was only half full last Saturday night, I certainly enjoyed the atmosphere of Toyota Park, although the conditions not only made it difficult to play free flowing football but also contributed to a slightly disappointing crowd. The rain arrived at about the time when the fans would have been making their decisions about whether or not to come to the game, so given a better night and with the positive start we had last weekend, Id be hopeful of having a full house on hand to cheer the boys on at our next game against Souths.
The most pleasing aspect of the match was the desire and hunger the players showed in their defensive effort and it came as a result of the healthy commitment theyve all put into their preparation both last week and throughout the pre season. It was a great lesson in what they can achieve with a total dedication to preparation and training.
I was happy with the execution of what we worked at in the off season and its the job of the players, myself and the coaching staff, to ensure everybody keeps working hard to improve individually, which in turn will help us to improve as a team.
The win was extra satisfying for the players considering some of the negative press theyve had, and it would have been especially enjoyable for Noddy and Dyksy, who have copped a fair amount of criticism from some quarters. So its nice to put that criticism to bed for at least a week, but we have to turn up again next week just as committed and ready to display a similar consistency on game day and in all aspects of our preparation.
Another pleasing aspect to come from the first game was the fact that we had no injuries, which means at present we have great pressure being put on for all positions in the team, with only Paul Gallen on the sidelines and unavailable through injury.
We now move on and look forward to playing the newcomers the Titans, in what will also be another big challenge for our team. I watched the Titans match last night and spoke to their coach John Cartwright, with the disappointment of the loss to St George easily read in his voice. Im sure they will be even more determined this coming week to play well and get a win and we will need to show a similar commitment to the game and to our preparation.
Not only next week, but throughout the season it will be important for us show consistency in our performance, in particular in our defence. As the season progresses, other teams will improve and while we had a good win in our first game, if we are to be successful this year we will have to go along with that trend and continually improve our game as well.
Although it was only half full last Saturday night, I certainly enjoyed the atmosphere of Toyota Park, although the conditions not only made it difficult to play free flowing football but also contributed to a slightly disappointing crowd. The rain arrived at about the time when the fans would have been making their decisions about whether or not to come to the game, so given a better night and with the positive start we had last weekend, Id be hopeful of having a full house on hand to cheer the boys on at our next game against Souths.
