A little confidence and self belief will go a long way for the Northern Knights in this TAC Cup season.
While the club has lost its opening two matches, both to last year’s grand finalists, players are showing they can play an exciting brand of football.
Against the Calder Cannons, the Knights came from 24 points down to level the scores late in the final term before losing by a goal.
Coach Andrew Shakespeare said while the results in the opening rounds were disappointing, the team had proved it could match it with the best when players play good football.
“They have shown a lot of enthusiasm and, with that little bit of self belief, they will be able to compete for a greater part of the game,” Shakespeare said.
“We’ve played some good football in the eight quarters but at times we get back into old habits.
“Confidence is a huge thing in sport.”
Shakespeare said the big thing the club would have to work on during the season was the contested ball.
“The run and carry of the ball is the key to our game and we look pretty exciting when we get it going.
“Now we have to work out how to get the ball out on to the outside.
“We also need to work on kicking the ball into the forward 50. If you are too greedy in the delivery it doesn’t come off.”
He said the club’s two forward options, Bailey Jordan and Carl Adams, would be rewarded if they worked to the right places.
“Their work rate needs to improve and they need to earn the right to be rewarded. If they provide a target in the right space, that will happen.”
He said the captain, South Morang’s Jade Gresham, continued to impress.
“He has been the standout on and off the field. He leads how we want the players to play footy.
“Matthew Perry is starting to perform and step up to the next level and Tyrone Leonardis is providing run and carry.
“Michael Mattingly has come down from New South Wales and fitted into the group in a short time with us, and has been named in the leadership group.”
Gresham, Perry and Leonardis have all been named in the Vic Metro preliminary squad, along with Sam Peet, Jacob Booth, Brayden Fiorini, Kieran Malone and Darcy McPherson.
The Knights were due to play the round three game against Sandringham Dragons on Friday, after Star Weekly went to press.
