Round 16 Q&A with Colts Coach Brad Dodd

The Peel Thunder Colts were back in action last Saturday, taking on South Fremantle at Bendigo Bank Stadium. After the game we spoke with Head Coach, Brad Dodd.

David Yaccob and Nic Pemberton made their debuts this week, tell us a little about them?

BD: David has just returned from the State 16s, where he was a part of the Leadership Group and was voted WA’s MVP. He’s a Winger/Running Back. Works really hard and can find the ball. As a program, we’re really keen to get some games into our 16s group, if we feel they’re physically ready. Nic is another one of our South West kids. He’s 17 and someone we see as a big part of our squad next season. He’s had to bide his time but he’s stuck at it and worked on the feedback we’ve given him. At this stage, we see him as a Lockdown Back, but he’s capable of playing through the Midfield. 

Wet and windy conditions to kick the 1st Quarter off, kicking into the breeze, you would’ve been happy only trailing by 8 points?

BD: We thought we were really disciplined through the 1st Quarter. It was disappointing to concede the goal we did as it was a result of a poor kick from defence. We then had opportunities to kick a goal or 2 ourselves and wasted them. We felt we played the conditions really well. 

Kicking with a strong breeze in the 2nd Quarter, Peel opened up a 15 point lead at the break. How’d you see the Quarter?

BD: We were well on top but didn’t convert our chances, kicking 3.7 for the Quarter. In reality, the door on the game should’ve been shut but it wasn’t and we still had some work to do. We felt we were on top through the Midfield- always important in wet conditions. Our tackle pressure was strong, laying 61 tackles for the half. We could’ve been a little more bolder with our Inside 50 entries. 

Wasted opportunities again haunted you in the 3rd Quarter, the Bulldogs closing the gap to 5 points. How’d you address the group?

BD: We once again wasted some really good opportunities to kick away, and South Fremantle made us pay by taking theirs. The message at the last break was all about the work rate that’s needed, that we want to be fairly direct with our ball movement and that we need a strong effort from our Midfield. We wanted a soccer goal mentality from our Backs. 

With the breeze swinging back the other way slightly, the Bulldogs proved too good running out 5 point winners. 3.19 for the day- that must’ve been frustrating?

BD: It was a great learning experience for our team heading into the finals. South Fremantle were exceptional with their pressure and sticking tackles that needed to be made. Under pressure a few of our Senior players went away from playing the percentages, which created opportunities for South and they took them. Goalkicking has been an issue all season. It’s up to our Forwards to finish off the work of the team- we’ll keep practicing and working with them. 

While the result was disappointing, what was your overall thoughts on the game?

BD: In tough conditions, we won most of our major indicators but didn’t get the reward on the scoreboard. As a group, it reinforces how important that part of the game is. Boys, we won all these areas but we lost the game. It sends a clear message to our Forwards that they need to get better in that area. It also gave us a glimpse of the type of pressure we’ll see later in the year. South were exceptional in the last 5 minutes when they were trying to hold on. It was our youngest side for the year, where we had more 16/17 year olds than 18 year olds. It’s great exposure for those players and the challenge was for them to stand up and influence the game. 

Who were the better performers on the day?

BD: Lachlan Riley continued his recent excellent form playing through the Middle and on the Wing. He gave us great drive and once again hit the scoreboard. Tyson Powell was swung all over the place and had a solid game. Andrew Butler also worked hard and gave us good drive through the Middle while Jack Sears toiled away up Forward. Ben Middleton gave us a strong target but wasted his chances, kicking 0.5.

A night game in Joondalup next week, taking on West Perth. How they going?

BD: We had a good battle against West Perth last time. Looking forward to seeing how our guys handle the long trip as it’s a venue we could potentially play at in the Finals. 

Brad Dodd