Ballan Holden

A Werribee Tigers promotion the inside word with Paul Satterley Proudly sponsored by Ballan Holden

Our season opener against Williamstown was a real eye opener for our boys, with many players making their debut (8) at our club it was a very tough game against a quality opposition. No doubt some of our younger boys in Kyle Hartigan, Steve Kennedy, Tom Ruggles and Will Sullivan would have learnt a lot playing against the likes of Will Minson, Brian Lake, Lindsay Gilbee & Mitch Hahn. We learnt very quickly that competing for 3 quarters of football is not enough to win games against these teams. It was great to see many past players attend the match day function, Brad Roach, Matt Camilleri, James Puli, Trent Arbaci and Paul & Mark Ballan were all in attendance on the night. The focus against Geelong in Round 2 was about ensuring we worked much harder defensively and this was achieved with many players lifting their intensity to pressure the opposition. We were disappointed with our kicking for goal (9.20) and need to be much better at fi nishing off to ensure we get reward for our effort. Some of our smaller brigade in Robbie Castello, Ben Ross & Ben Speight kicked 2 goals 12 behinds between them. The pleasing aspect is that they were able to manufacture this many shots, no doubt the score line could have been much different. The swirly conditions at Skilled Stadium does make it very diffi cult. Matty O’Dwyer has been a great recruit for us, providing speed and run from the back half. Matty is formerly a Calder Cannons player who spent 4 years with the Sydney Swans. He stays under the notice of AFL clubs and we are confi dent he will be a very good player for us. Our Reserves are travelling well under new coach Chris Gilham, with 2 wins to kick off the season. The game against Williamstown was of a very high standard and both clubs have great depth of talent. Chris is a positive communicator and has a terrifi c football brain, the players really want to learn and follow his instructions. This coming week is our fi rst televised game and we are all wanting to ensure we perform against Collingwood. Both Tarkyn Lockyer and I are new to VFL coaching so I look forward to the challenge of taking them on. We expect them to have a number of AFL experienced players running around including Goldsack, Dick, McCarthy and possibly Leon Davis, so I am sure it will provide some good viewing from your lounge room. We want to build some momentum and win a game away from home (something we didn’t achieve in 2010) and also win 2 in a row.

If you can not attend this Saturday @ Victo- ria Park – please tune into ABC TV this Saturday from 1:10pm

Proudly sponsored by Ballan Holden