Northern Knights are still without a win after four rounds of the TAC Cup.
They were competitive for patches in all their first three matches before losing and it was more of the same against Geelong Falcons at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.
The Knights trailed by just 14 points at three-quarter time but could only watch as the Falcons kicked 10 goals in the final quarter to win 23.11 (149)-13.4 (82).
Speaking before the match, Knights coach Andrew Shakespeare said while it was disappointing to have not won a match there had been some really good development.
“Looking past the scores, there’s a bit more going on,” he said.
“Against Queensland last week we had six kids playing their first games and seven bottom-age players and the round before that we finished within a goal of the reigning premiers.
“There are some terrific signs.”
After 10 players came into the side that played Queensland, the Knights had a further nine changes this week.
Shakespeare said while players had to adjust to playing with different players, it was also a challenge for the coaches.
“It’s the most ever private school kids we’ve ever had,” he said.
“They’re our best players and when they aren’t playing we have to find replacements and had players step up to the challenge.”
Shakespeare said pressure on the opposition and scoring were two areas that the side needed to improve.
The switching and swapping of players has helped some of them improve.
“Ryan Sanelli is a 188cm midfielder who is really starting to show quality,” he said.
“Marcus Lentini stepped up in his first game and has been good, as has Ethan Penrith.”
As well as making his Knights debut, Naish is still in the Vic Metro squad and he, Mason Blakey and Luke Bunker played in the first round of practice matches.
“Mason is very accomplished and Luke did what Luke does and continued to get the ball,” said Shakespeare, who watched the games.
The Knights, Calder Cannons and Gippsland Power are the only Victorian sides without a victory this season.
The Cannons were in the game in the first half against the North Ballarat Rebels on Saturday before fading badly to lose 19.14 (128)10.9 (69).
Michael Romero kicked three for the Cannons.
