A frustrated Northern Knights outfit is still working to find its best form following a 28-point loss to North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup on Saturday.
The Knights showed glimpses of their best in the second term, kicking four goals and holding the Rebels to four behinds, but they managed only three goals in second half as the Rebels streamed ahead.
Jess Palmer and Jacob Wheelahan kicked seven between them for the Rebels, while Northern’s eight goals were all solitary goalkickers.
Coach Andrew Shakespeare said his team suffered in contested ball and failed to use it well when they had clean possession.
“We didn’t use the ball well enough going inside 50 and as a result we failed to score,” he said.
“North Ballarat were very fierce at the contest and they won the contested ball which summed up where the game was trending.”
However, Shakespeare said the Knights were travelling better than their 2-5 record suggested,
“I don’t think it’s a good reflection of where we’re actually at,” he said.
“We had a couple of games slip we had control of and we’ve failed to make the most of our opportunities.
“We feel like we’re under-performing at the moment; (there’s) a lack of confidence, and that’s something we’re trying to address.”
The TAC Cup takes a break this weekend as the AFL Under 18 Championships kick off with Vic Metro taking on Vic Country at VISY Park.
“We’ve got some really strong contributors in that squad,” Shakespeare said.
“Kyle Langford will play centre-half forward, he’s a fantastic contested mark.
“Reece McKenzie is 196 centimetres and will play full forward; and Ryan Tester is a 198-centimetre key defender.
“There aren’t many of those around. Ryan’s from a basketball background and he’s developing really well.
Shakespeare also had a good word or two for Zach Ballard, “a strong inside midfielder with a lot of (positive) attributes.”
