Demons’ coach rues start

By Gavin Staindl
SPRINGVALE Districts coach Clint Einsiedel has cited lack of experience and discipline as the key reason to his side’s 25-point loss to rivals Dingley at Newcomen Road last Friday night.
The traditional round one match dubbed the Khe Sahn Cup began with the Demons racing off to a three-goal lead early in the second quarter but a series of undisciplined acts and lack of experience opened the door for the Dingoes who ran away with the match 10.8.68 to 13.15.(93).
Einsiedel was understandably disappointed with his team’s effort in the second quarter that saw Dingley score two goals in two kicks after player remonstrations resulted in free-kicks inside the goal square.
To make matters worse Trevor Kumetaitis was sent off and reported for an unintentional but reckless bump on Steven Pitt.
“I was disappointed with the lack of discipline and experience shown,” said Einsiedel.
“We stuck with them but when they turned up the heat at the end we were not able to respond,” said Einsiedel.
Dingoes coach Adam Quinn said that up until the fourth quarter he was worried that he had “expected too much from his team”.
“I was worried I expected too much… But in the fourth quarter we started getting on top of the midfield and hitting our targets up forward but when we play the top four sides we can’t wait for the fourth quarter to turn it on,” said Quinn.
“Dean Tunbridge (two goals, six behinds) had a good hit out after a year or two out and Alex Faulkner and Zac Green both did well… but I said to the Springvale coach that they will be the ones taking more out of this game,” Quinn said.
Einsiedel has taken a margin solace from the game, impressed by his young players ability to stick to the game plan.
“We said we wanted to play a run-and-carry style of play and they certainly did that. Our tackling and one-percenters were fantastic and they did everything I asked of them,” Einsiedel said.
Newly appointed captain Kris Thompson was influential while vice captain Luke Swan and deputy vice Brett Ashman all justified the club’s decision to give them leadership roles earlier in the week.
In Division Two action Lyndale were smashed 3.2.(20) to Caulfield’s ruthless 23.12.(150) at Barry Powell Reserve.
While in Division Three Sandown were handed a heavy blow to cross-town rivals Hampton Park at Edinburgh Reserve.
The Cobras were never in the game and fell 9.6.(60) to 16.9.(105).
Doveton got out of jail with a 13.17.(95) to 14.6.(90) victory over Southern Dragons and Moorabbin easily accounted for Dandenong 20.22.(142) to 9.5.(59) at Widdop Crescent Reserve.