Calder Cannons were shown just how big the gap is between where they sit and the top sides in the TAC Cup at Warrawee Park on Saturday.
In diabolically windy conditions, the visiting Cannons kicked just one goal in the first half as the Oakleigh Chargers displayed the clean hands and rapid ball movement that has them on top of the ladder in the run towards finals.
The final scoreline, 11.11(77)-6.8(44), showed the gap between the two sides, and Cannons coach Andrew Johnston was realistic about the result.
“I think they [Oakleigh] showed why they’re on top; they certainly handled the conditions a lot better than we did,” Johnston said.
“They were cleaner in marking, better at contested ball, their tackling pressure was right up there, and we just need our blokes to learn from that and keep developing because that’s the level we want to be at.”
Both sides struggled to adjust to the wind early, with the cross breeze not favouring either end and making field kicking a nightmare. It took until a minute before quarter-time for either side to kick a major, and it was the home side which struck first.
The Chargers took control of the game in the second term, with dominant ruck work helping them to four goals for the quarter and a handy 28-point buffer. The Cannons had just 1.4 for the half as they struggled to create regular scoring chances.
The second half was a far more even affair as the visitors adjusted to the conditions, lowering their eyes when going forward and hitting short targets rather than bombing long into the wind.
Goals typically came from a contest in the goal square or a mark close to goal, with long kicking out of the question for both sides.
Jack Bytel was a standout for the Cannons all day in his return match, while Ben Huggard was strong through the midfield and Jacob McNicol toiled hard in the ruck.
Johnston said the lessons of the second half needed to be heeded by his side, after they showed they could match it with Oakleigh but were left to rue a lacklustre second term.
“It’s those little moments throughout quarters and throughout halves where we’ve let ourselves down,” Johnston said.
“I think we only lost the second half by a few points, which was pleasing, but you’ve got to bring that intensity for a full game.
“When you give quality opposition a four or five goal headstart it’s pretty hard to get it back.
“Finals are still a chance, but if we don’t come to play and our work rate isn’t up then we might just be making up the numbers.”
The loss leaves Calder a game outside the finals places with four rounds to play.
