After a big week off-field, Kyneton was happy to finally get onto the paddock in the Bendigo Football League on Saturday.
The club announced on Tuesday it had parted ways with coach Mark Adamson, with Luke Beattie appointed to coach the club for the rest of the season.
Tigers president Rob Waters told Star Weekly Adamson’s failure to attend a training session had left the club with no option but to act.
Adamson had already made the decision to stand down at the end of the season.
For Beattie his first task wasn’t an easy one, taking on unbeaten ladder leaders Strathfield- saye.
“It was good to get back to the footy,” Beattie said on Sunday. “Things happened during the week which were completely out of the playing group’s control.
“The boys responded well, especially in the first half. They’re a very united group and know that no individual is bigger than the club.”
But Beattie said lapses in concentration cost the Tigers in the 22.20 (152) – 11.3 (69) loss.
“The boys failed to maintain pressure for greater portions in the game,” Beattie said.
“In the first half the lapses were only for one or two minutes. They expanded to five or six minutes in the second half, when the Storm put on genuine pressure.”
Despite the loss, the Tigers remain fifth on the ladder.
“Certainly, our aim is to still make the finals,” Beattie said. “Our destiny is in our own hands.”
Beattie, who didn’t play at the weekend, said he didn’t plan to change too much.
Beattie, a Tigers premiership player, has coached Daylesford and was assistant coach in Sunbury Lions’ 2012 premiership.
“There are certainly a few things that anyone taking on a coaching role would sit back and assess,” Beattie said. “Part of the reason I didn’t play this weekend was to be able to watch them properly.
“We’ll develop and work on what we need to do in the next two weeks. Where possible, status quo will remain.”
Waters said Adamson, who had been coach since the club re-entered the competition in 2014, would always be welcome at the club.
“His tireless work in getting a senior side back on the park will never be forgotten,” he said. “His efforts to recruit the 2014 and 2015 teams can’t be underestimated.
“He played a very large part in reinvigorating this club and we wish him all the best for the future.”
The Tigers have a bye this weekend.
Gisborne still sits a game behind the Tigers after losing another close one.
The Bulldogs led at half-time but kicked only one goal in the third quarter to give up the lead and lose, 13.12 (90) – 12.7 (79).
