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Better signs after cup loss

Staff ReporterWanneroo Times

It was an obvious improvement from our effort against Williamstown in Geelong.

We’re still shy of impact in the forward line, which was evident in our struggle to kick only two goals.

East Perth was fresh and is a very talented side, but I thought our midfield and backs worked well under a lot of pressure in testing conditions.

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I told Mitch van Berlo and Max Alexander, who both held their own on debut, they’ll always remember their first game as one played in the worst conditions you’re likely to see at a WAFL ground.

It’s really difficult to coach a game when the ground is in a state like that.

Even the most simple skills become tough for the team to execute.

You have to remind the players to focus their attack on the ball and keep their feet as much as possible.

In some ways, it was good to have those wet and muddy conditions as there was no hiding from commitment to the contest on Saturday.

For the rest of the season, we’ll be testing players who we think are a chance to take the club forward over the next two years.

We may not necessarily make any changes against Swans Districts this weekend ” Van Berlo and Alexander will hold their spot ” but players like Corey Chalmers, Aidan Lynch, Luke Meadows, Mitch McPhee and Ben McNamara are on our radar in the reserves.

From our injury list, Kody Manning could be a chance to come back in the final rounds.

He’s not scheduled for surgery on his shoulder.

I was of the opinion he should have surgery straight away if he needed it, rather than waiting until the end of the season.

But when he spoke to the surgeon, it was decided he wouldn’t need to go under the knife.