Calder Cannons are finally finding consistency and confidence as they head towards another finals series.
They have now won three in a row in a season which got off to a slow start.
On Saturday, they travelled north and held off a determined Bendigo Pioneers, 14.11 (95) – 10.8 (68).
Cannons coach Andrew Johnston said the boys were starting to gain confidence from results going their way.
“With a new coach and game plan it’s taken a while to instil,” he said.
“We’ve been trying to improve each week and we’ve done that over the last three to four weeks. It’s been a slow improvement and the boys are now getting reward for effort.”
Against the Pioneers, it was second- half pressure that wore down the opposition.
“It was a hard-fought win,” Johnston said, “but we were able to sustain the pressure for longer and convert up forward. We went in tall, and Moore and Brown were really good focal points for us.”
Karl Brown and Callum Moore were best on ground, with Brown kicking six goals and Moore chipping in with three.
Until three weeks ago, the duo hadn’t played together for the Cannons this year. But in those three games, both have been named twice among the best players.
“Callum was injured, then Karl was injured and then Callum played Vic Metro,” Johnston said.
“Having them both there at the same time gives us real focal points.”
Johnston also threw challenges to others. “Tom Wallis was playing VFL and Zak Wunhym school footy, so there was the opportunity to try other players on the ball,” he said.
“Jackson McDonald got his opportunity as did Matthew Stillman, who has been great down the back.
“Hisham Kerbatieh has been working hard on his defence and workrate so got a run on the ball. ”
Nick O’Kearney is set to be the next Cannons player to get a chance at VFL level this week; he’s likely to be named Coburg’s 23rd player.
The Cannons have the bye this weekend, and Johnston says most of the players will get the week off and not go back to their local clubs.
Northern Knights lost 12.10 (82) – 10.13 (73) against Oakleigh Chargers on Sunday.
