EAGLEHAWK coach Luke Monaghan will delve back into the disastrous first half against Kangaroo Flat a fortnight ago in a bid to ensure his side applies early scoreboard pressure to Strathfieldsaye on Saturday.
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The Hawks are 2-1, with their defeat coming two weeks ago against the Roos when they were put to the sword in the first half as they trailed 8.13 to 1.2 at the main break.
Monaghan needs no reminding that such a sluggish start again against the reigning premiers would spell disaster for the Hawks in their round four Bendigo Football-Netball League battle at Flight Centre Park.
“We know that Strathfieldsaye has got quality across its whole 22 and that every player who comes on can have an impact,” Monaghan said on Friday.
“We go into the game knowing we have to play four quarters… it’s every moment of every minute of the game, because if you give a good side like them even five minutes, they can put that scoreboard pressure on and you’re chasing for the rest of the day.
“Hopefully, we’ve learned from that Kangaroo Flat game a couple of weeks ago, because we were very flat that day in our approach to the footy, and our skills and decision-making probably weren’t where they need to be against the good sides.
“We’ll reflect on that game and go in knowing the areas we have to improve in if we’re going to be competitive.”
The Hawks last week bounced back from their shocker against Kangaroo Flat with a 70-point victory over Maryborough.
However, the quality of opposition significantly rises for the Hawks on Saturday against a Strathfieldsaye side that last week had its 39-game winning streak broken by Golden Square when beaten by 24 points.
“As a team you have to learn from your losses and we were able to rectify a few things last week against Maryborough, but it’s all about improving again this week against better opposition,” Monaghan said.
The Hawks have generally been able to compete well against the Storm in recent years, but haven’t been able to beat Strathfieldsaye in their past seven meetings, with there a common trend.
“Often it has been just a small period in the game where we have allowed Strath to get on top. It could only be a 10-minute period or a quarter, but those lapses have cost us because they put you away when you give them an opportunity,” Monaghan said.
“We’ll be aiming to make sure that doesn’t happen again on Saturday.”
The Hawks have made one change to their team this week.
Riley McIvor will miss with a back injury, with his replacement Gedd Hommelhoff for his senior debut.
Saturday’s game at Strathfieldsaye starts at 2.20pm.