Doc’s Debrief | Round 3

Our regular Doc’s Debrief gets a new-look this week, with Glenelg Football Club’s MC Steve Murphy hosting the post-match interview with our head coach via our Instagram or Facebook. 

Continue reading below for a summary of Doc’s thoughts on the nail-biting finish to our round 3 clash against West Adelaide.

Our reserves side narrowly missed a Round 3 victory against the Bloods at home on Saturday. It was a match that we “let slip that we probably should have won” said Doc on Saturday evening. Despite the inclusion of premiership talent in Darcy Bailey (2.2) and Connor McLeod (1.1), the Bays struggled to get the premiership points on the board.

“They probably didn’t have their best day in the Reserves today, but it happens.”

The Bays reserve side will take on Sturt at Unley this coming Saturday, as a curtain raiser for the League’s ANZAC Day Grand Final rematch.

It’s the Bays second narrow win in as many games, “We got out of jail in a big way both weeks,” Doc reflects on the Bays comeback wins against Norwood in Round 2 and against West Adelaide on the weekend.

“Our defenders and our back-of-the-50 defence has been really strong, but they (West) probably missed a couple they should have put through.”

Once again, the Bays, renowned for their belief and drive to never give up, proved they know how to win from behind. Captain McBean (5.5) booted five across the day, three in the final term alongside Matt Allen’s two, shook the Bloods and cemented the Bays confidence in their unity.

“This group has enormous belief,” Doc reflected, “they just keep coming.”

Reassuring for the Club and fans alike, fitness is not an issue of the Bays senior squad, “they’re running out games really strongly, and we’ve been able to get a couple of results where if they haven’t done the work (on their fitness), then we wouldn’t (have secured the wins).”

“We sit at 3 and 0, which could very easily have been 1 and 2.”

Doc continues to be impressed in the Bays belief during the critical moments of each game, reflecting on the discussions at three quarter time, “that’s not me, that’s them.”

“I know that when we play our best footy, we’ve got the capacity to score pretty quickly, so that always gives you confidence that you’re in the game even from a three or four goal deficit as we have had in the last two weeks.”

Commenting on the relentless pressure from the Bloods, “honestly, they owned the game for a big chunk of it. That was based around their pressure and their contest work. They’ll be frustrated, but, once we found that level, then we were able to demonstrate some of their skills.”

Looking ahead, the Bays take on Sturt in one of the biggest days on the SANFL calendar. A grand final rematch that will no doubt bring intensity and high pressure, the Bays look to get their fourth win on the trot, and the Double Blues will look to redeem themselves from their narrow loss to the Eagles on Sunday.

“It’s a great concept, and one that works really well. Because this group have been part of the last three Grand Finals, they’ve obviously been in these games. It builds a certain level of rivalry. We’ll embrace it and look forward to it.”