Tara Murray
It’s about racking up the wins early for Deer Park as it settles into the Essendon District Football League division 1 competition.
A new competition, new coach and a new line up, means lots of moving parts as the Lions try and find their feet.
Coach Heath Scotland said they know that will take time for the side to really click.
“I wouldn’t say that we are playing our best football, but a win’s a win,” he said.
“As long as we continue to chalk them up and keep building, building our brand and our method, the important part.
“We want to make sure that we are playing our best footy come finals, we have a long way to go but it’s been a nice start.”
The Lions faced a familiar foe on Saturday, facing St Albans which also made the move from the Western Region Football League in the off season.
Scotland said while it made it a little bit easier preparing, they were more focused on the way that they were going to play.
He said they were starting to see a bit more predictability in the way that they were playing.
“For us with so many new faces, people coming together,” he said.
“It’s getting stability and understanding our method and game plan, bit more predictably internally has been the challenge but it is still work in progress, with a new game plan and new method boys are still learning.
“We are going to have our teething problems throughout the season and in games like we are seeing. As long as the time comes we have our noise in front come the final siren, that’s what is the important part now.”
Against the Saints, the match was still on the line heading into the final quarter.
After trailing by three goals at half time, the Saints controlled the third quarter to lead by four points at the last break.
The Lions kicked the first five goals of the last quarter to take control of the match, eventually winning 16.9 (105)-10.10 (70).
Scotland said they took their time to settle into the game.
“We weren’t playing great footy early, we shot ourselves in the foot early, “ he said.
“We had a decent lead by four goals or something at half time, most of our score came from turnovers.
“I think we were really sloppy with the football, hurt us in contest and then the third quarter, we just got beaten around the contest again.
“In the last quarter we simplified things, finding the contest, equalising numbers and ability and work ethic got us over the line.
Lachlan Smart kicked four goals for the Lions, while Nash Holmes kicked three goals.
Kier Bol was the Lions best according to Scotland, while Holmes, Rodney Van Riet and Tom Mundy all had good games.
Having made five changes heading into the match, Scotland said they would hopefully get some guys back this week.
Jack Dorgan is one, who is set to return, while vice-captain Billy Cannolo will hopefully play his first game of the season.
Scotland said the depth at the club meant there was plenty of competition for spots.
The Lions this week face last season’s grand finalists West Coburg.
Scotland said it would be a good test against one of the benchmarks of the competition.
