Calder Cannons have again been left to rue a slow start in the TAC Cup, this time falling short against NSW ACT Rams.
For a second straight round, the Cannons struggled early on Saturday before coming home strongly in the second half to just fall short.
This time the difference was six points, losing 13.10 (88)-12.10 (82) at RAMS Arena in Craigieburn.
Cannons coach Andrew Johnston said his side needed to find more aggression early in games to prevent the slow starts.
“They’ve got to play four quarters and we’re just not getting there,” he said. “They are going into their shell early … following blokes around and being negative. I might get the punching bags out and try to get some more aggression into them.”
Johnston said that while the slow starts were disappointing, the finishes had been positive.
“We got within a goal a couple of times in the last quarter but if you give up a six to seven-goal lead you are going to struggle,” he said. “We didn’t deserve to win.”
Johnston said the Cannons in the Vic Metro squad had been the standouts early in the season for their club.
“Jaidyn Owen has been playing well,” he said. “Jackson MacDonald didn’t play yesterday but has been good. Karl Brown is getting his hands on the ball, but just needs to kick straight.”
He said James Peters, who kicked four goals against the Rams, and Bradley Bernacki have also been among the Cannons’ best this season.
The loss leaves the Cannons with a 0-3 start to the season.
“If we have belief in our structures and remain positive the wins will come,” Johnston said. “You can’t keep making the same mistakes, so we might give chances to more 17-year-olds.”
Joining the Cannons towards the bottom of the table, without a win, are the Northern Knights, who suffered a 11.10 (76)-9.5 (59) loss to Queensland at Preston City Oval on Saturday.
Charles Roberts was the only multiple goal scorer for the Knights with two.
Corey McKay and Matthew Perry were the best in the loss.
