In a rare night match, the Calder Cannons flexed their muscles in the final term to win easily against the Geelong Falcons in a TAC Cup game at Simmonds Stadium on Friday.
In a tight first three quarters, the momentum switched regularly, but the Cannons held the lead at every change for their 15.12 (102) to 9.13 (66) win.
Cannons coach Andrew Jago said his players were excited at the chance to play at night.
“It’s the first time since I’ve been at the club that we’ve played a night match and we got to do it on one of the best surfaces in Australia,” he said.
“The momentum swung in the first half – 10 minutes one way then 10 the other.
“In the second term they had 75 per cent of the play and in the third we had about the same.
“I challenged the boys at three quarter-time to continue that into the last quarter.” Jago described the first three quarters as “a balance of offensive and defensive play”.
“When they were in control we had to defend, and when we had the ball we were able to get the offensive run going.”
Peter Wright kicked six goals in the second half but was beaten in the first half by Zaine Cordy. Both players were among the best for their sides.
Wright, Matt Goodyear, Jayden Foster and Nicholas O’Kearney were the Cannons’ best.
“Our upper echelon is playing well, but the challenge is to continue playing that way and get everyone involved,” Jago said.
The Cannons have this weekend off because of Sunday’s opening round of the NAB under-18 national championships. Cannons players in the squad for Vic Metro’s first game against Vic Country are Wright, Goodyear, O’Kearney, Touk Miller, Ben Allan, Victor Carboni and Paul Ahern. “They’re a composed lot and are very coachable, so they will follow [head coach] David Flood’s instructions easily,” Jago said.
He said others not playing for Vic Metro would most likely play for their local clubs this weekend, but there was still plenty of work to do. “We’ll look at the areas we have to improve on, including consistency up the defensive end.”
Tara Murray
