Braybrook players are tired and sore, but they are not feeling sorry for themselves.
Since Anzac day, the Brookers have played an exhaustive three games in 10 days in the Western Region Football League division 3, but first-year coach Jason Hamilton insists the team remained upbeat and willing for the back end of that heavy schedule.
Not helped by the fixture pile up, the Brookers faded out in the second half against Tarneit Titans at Wootten Road Reserve on Saturday, losing by 56 points.
Hamilton was not blaming fatigue, an interrupted preparation or even mounting injuries, just simply that his team was out-classed by a Titans team that is further ahead in its development.
“I was really happy with the endeavour and the physical pressure we put on them,” he said.
“They’re a quality team, they run and run.
“They’re probably the best team we’ve played so far.
“As long as we’re learning and we progress from the learning curves, that can be a positive for us.”
Braybrook was competitive in the first half, trailing by 20 points at half-time.
Dean Galea set the example for the Brookers with a sensational performance in the midfield.
Petar Pavlovic was important in a negating role, Terry Sinclair was a rock at centre half-back and Nick Gregson impressed as a swingman, while Paul Cutajar-Milosev and Ricky Howell bobbed up for two goals apiece.
But Tarneit always had its nose in front and their fresher legs allowed them to gradually inflate the margin after half-time.
Hamilton admits his side was second best on the day, but felt as though the scoreboard was not a true reflection of the effort his side put in.
“Today wasn’t our day, they were too good, but to get beat by nearly 60 points probably wasn’t a fair equation on the game,” he said.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do, but we’re still pretty confident we can build into something and push for finals this season.”
Braybrook will have a full week to prepare for this Saturday’s trip to Glen Orden.
For Hamilton, it will be the way the Brookers respond to their back-to-back losses that matters.
“The talk was all positive after the game today,” he said.
“If we put the hard yards in on the training track, I’m sure we’ll get the rewards.”
Hamilton has undertaken a quest to change the culture at the Brookers since day one of pre-season. The message is slowly getting through, but there is still plenty of work to be done at Pennell Reserve.
“It’s definitely been a tough challenge since we started pre-season in October to try and change the culture down there,” he said.
“We have to change if we want to progress and become a top-four side and a lot of blokes have got to realise the changes have to start now.
“It’s going to be a big test for us, but the players are very respectful and they go out there and try and do the right things.”
