Murray South East zones out as team fails to make most of opportunities with less-than-impressive performance

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REPRESENTATIVES: Western Border Football League players Nick McInerney, Tom Sullivan, Daniel Richardson, Dylan Bromley, Jonah Grimes, Mikey Telford and Jayden Eldridge put their all into the South Australian Country Championships in Port Pirie. Pictures: PETER ARGENT

Mse Western Border League Players TBW Newsgroup
REPRESENTATIVES: Western Border Football League players Nick McInerney, Tom Sullivan, Daniel Richardson, Dylan Bromley, Jonah Grimes, Mikey Telford and Jayden Eldridge put their all into the South Australian Country Championships in Port Pirie. Pictures: PETER ARGENT

MURRAY South East coach Adam Merrett has dubbed the weekend’s South Australian Country Championships a “learning experience” for his team after the side finished the carnival in a less-than-impressive fifth position.

In his final appearance as coach of the side before he takes on a two year stint as the SA Country coach, Merrett hoped for great things, but he believes a spate of injuries, unexpected outs and debut players put the team on the back foot heading to Port Pirie.

Game one on Saturday saw the team face off against Eyre Peninsula, with a slow start and kicking inaccuracies the side’s downfall as it lost the match by 27 points.

The same disappointing result was seen in game two with the team going down to Northern 22 points to 18 at the final siren.

“It was evident from last year and then again this year you have got to make the best of your opportunities in front of goal,” Merrett said.

“We had our chances – we definitely had enough of the play in the first half of the first game, but just could not capitalise on the scoreboard.

“We were probably a bit scrappy and turned the ball over a little bit – we had I think 12 or 13 first-timers to the zone level.

“The disappointment on their faces after the second game really showed me how desperate they were to win – we just did not have the luck on our side on Saturday.”

Although the side struggled on day one, Merrett believes there were still some promising moments of football, with many players proving their worth in the side.

Merrett named captain Sam Pfeiffer, plus Penola’s Brad Bryant and Scott Merrett as a few of the stand-outs from the day.

“Sam and Brad were really quite good on the day – they did a lot of defending and running in the two games and they were really great in the backline for us,” he said.

“Scotty Merrett was our vice-captain for the weekend and led well through the front.

“I think our second game was where the boys really came to play.

“We were up at half time, but the Northern boys kicked a few in 10 minutes to get up by four points.

“Unfortunately it is tough when you do not win that first game and build confidence in your side.

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DETERMINED: North Gambier’s Nick McInerney proved his worth during the weekend’s carnival.

“We were not kicking the snap goals out of the pack, or hitting the front of the pack and scooping the ball up – we were hitting the post or missing the ball or dribbling across the front of goal.”

Merrett said the boys then “dug deep” overnight and boosted their intensity going into Sunday’s play off game against Eastern.

Although the side was playing to avoid a bottom of the ladder finish, Merrett said they looked after themselves and prepared well ahead of the match.

“You could really tell how desperate they were to get a win on the Sunday – I was quite proud of how they came out despite a disappointing couple of matches the day before,” he said.

“In the first quarter I thought we would kick ourselves out of the game early as we just could not get it through the big sticks, but we clawed back in the second and got our noses in front.

“The game just flowed from there – we were finishing off really well in front of goal and just playing some great footy.”

The team managed to run away with the game, defeating Eastern 71 points to 49 which Merrett believes was a credit to the players’ hard work and determination.

Merrett said Sunday’s stand out performers were ruckman Nick Pearce – who he named as one of the best rucks over the carnival – and Jonah Grimes, in addition to Dylan Bromley, Matt Tonkin and Andrew Stone.

“Dylan Bromley started at half back in the first game, but we pushed him forward to work with Hatherleigh’s Brad Wight in tandem at centre half forward,” he said.

“Andrew Stone grabbed his opportunity as an emergency and really held his own on the wing – he fitted right into the side and the pace of the weekend.

“I think he will relish the chance to play some good footy at Kalangadoo now.”

Merrett also sung the praises of the Murray South East state representatives in Scott Merrett, Jayden Eldridge and Pfeiffer.

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TOP PERFORMER: East Gambier gun Jayden Eldridge will represent South Australia later this month when it takes on Western Australia in Perth after being named in the team of the championships.

He said securing three spots in the state squad proved the quality of the Murray South East side despite its limited success.

“Jayden set a lot of play up from half back and relished the opportunity to lift to another level which he was rewarded with being named in the team of the carnival, as did Scotty and Sam,” he said.

“I have coached him (Jayden Eldridge) a couple of times now – the first year he was injured in 30 seconds so he missed the whole carnival, but last year he was quite solid.

“He then went away to the Northern Territory to play a bit of footy and has been playing really well at a local level.

“But I think this year was his real stand out year.

“His desperation to smother, to tackle, to stop a goal and then his ability to run off and create and set up play and use the ball really well stood out.

“It was an all round performance which I hope we can see in Perth.”

Looking to the future of the side, Merrett said although he will pass on the torch next year, he believes the side will lift to another level in years to come.

“As a group they would have went away knowing they could have done better, but have learnt something and are definitely better for the experience,” he said.

“We have proven in the past six or eight years it is doable – we have won three in that time – I just think the issue is not quite getting enough top end players.

“But that is where focusing on the young up-and-comers comes into play.

“It is all about making the most of your exposure and learning from then putting it back into your club footy and training harder.

“You can then turn it around and be one of those leading players at a higher level – what you put in is what you get out.”