Calder Cannons’ seven-game winning streak came to an end at the hands of NSW/ACT Rams in the TAC Cup in Sydney on Saturday.
Compounding the Cannons’ bad weekend was a shoulder injury to star midfielder Touk Miller while playing for Vic Metro in the NAB under-18 national championships.
Playing interstate for the only time this season, the Cannons were beaten 15.13 (103) to 12.5 (77) by the more aggressive Rams.
The Cannons stay second on the ladder but are now four points behind Oakleigh Chargers.
Cannons coach Andrew Jago said there were no excuses.
“They were very good; they outworked and outplayed us,” he said.
“We had a few dramas, like the bus not turning up and having to catch taxis to the game, but that wasn’t the reason we lost.
“It will give us a chance to reassess where we are.”
Jago said the side’s defensive efforts let them down against the Rams.
“We needed to win more contested ball on the inside where we’re normally so good,” he said.
“They comprehensibly beat us in the uncontested ball as well.”
Jago said his talls – Jayden Foster with four goals, Mark Kovacevic with two and Reilly O’Brien – were the standouts.
As for Miller’s injury and whether he would miss games, Jago said that was still to be assessed.
Miller’s injury soured Vic Metro’s good win against South Australia on Saturday.
Metro shot to a 32-point lead in the final term before holding off South Australia, which kicked three of the last four goals, to win 10.12 (72) to 13.8 (86).
After missing the last Vic Metro game, Cannons big man Pete Wright was one of Metro’s best players with 29 hitouts, 16 disposals, 10 marks and three goals.
“I haven’t seen any footage yet, but from what I’ve heard Pete was really good,’’ Jago said.
“We’ve been very happy with the form of our boys playing for Metro.
“Paul A’Hern has played a couple of good games; Damien Cavka and Matt Goodyear have played well, as has Touk, and now Pete.”
The Northern Knights won their TAC Cup match, defeating Tasmania by 39 points at Preston City Oval on Saturday.
The Knights led at every change, winning three of the four quarters in their 13.14 (92) to 7.11 (53) victory. Bailey Jordan kicked three goals for the Knights, while Jayden Short was judged best on ground.
Both Cannons and Knights have a bye this weekend.
