Coach laments ‘woeful’ day

While his team recorded a comfortable 30-point win, the debutant coach was less than impressed by his charges in what was a scrappy Division One encounter at Croydon Oval.
“I thought we were terrible to tell you the truth,” Barlow reflected on his first game as playing-coach of the Bulls.
“Our decision making was terrible and I thought our skills by foot were woeful.
“We only played in spurts and there was no real consistency of effort.”
After leading by a goal at quarter-time, the Bulls conceded the advantage on a series of inexplicable turnovers in the second quarter.
To the Blues credit, they capitalised on some ordinary decisions – and even worse execution – to take a two-point lead into the main break.
As expected, the Bulls rallied in the early stages of the third, regaining the lead when returning champ Adrian Little goaled from Dave Velardo’s centring ball.
Within a minute, classy Port Melbourne recruit Ramy Melhem swooped on a loose ball to snap the Bulls 10 points clear.
With Peter O’Brien (three goals), Craig Anderson (1) and Daniel Norman (1) surging forward in characteristic fashion, the Bulls threatened to blow the game open.
And while the Blues’ efficiency in front of goal kept them within 16 points at three-quarter time, Noble’s formidable on-ball division snuffed out the challenge within minutes of the last break.
After playing much of the game up forward, Barlow (three goals) moved into the middle with devastating affect in the last quarter, pin-pointing Velardo on the lead to set up the dynamic left-footer’s fourth goal – and stretch the margin to 22 points.
The coach delivered the knockout blow five minutes later, icing the game with a running goal from 50m out.
Barlow’s disappointment was tempered by a few positives, including the first-up performance of Melhem and the physical presence of new ruckman Mark Bradley.
In fact, Barlow was keen to shoulder the blame for the rusty performance.
He suggested that his decision to give the players a week off leading into round one may have taken the edge off the Bulls.
Still, Barlow’s harsh assessment of his side – and of himself – is likely to be an ominous sign for Noble Park’s divisional combatants.
Clearly, Norwood can expect to meet a much more determined and polished Bulls unit in tomorrow night’s Anzac Day clash at Moodemere Street.