Dour struggle for luckless Blues
Posted by Brent DiamondJun 23. 2012 8:35 am
IT was always going to be a struggle for the Northern Blues in largely a development season after an overhaul of players and coaches.
But to think that the team which appeared in two losing grand finals and has been a success in recent times is now on the bottom of the VFL ladder is a sad state of affairs.
Certainly they miss the leaders that pushed the team to great heights – Adam Iacobucci and Jarrod McCorkell – and as much as Carlton fans get frustrated with midfielders Brock McLean and David Ellard at times, they were an important asset to the team formely known as the Northern Bullants.
Ahmed Saad, drafted to the Saints, was also a huge loss.
“We replaced them with really young blokes. They’re struggling to come up to the intensity of it. In a couple of years, they could be alright but we just have to keep persevering and get our noses across the line,” Blues VFL coach Robert Hyde said.
“People say you’re competitive, well competitive only takes you so far, sometimes you just have to get the four points,” he said.
Frankston’s draw against Williamstown last week lifted the Dolphins above the Blues on the ladder. And as close and as gutsy as the Blues performances have been this season, they have lacked the match-winners and seasoned players to get them across the line.
The Preston spirit has unfortunately gone, for as much as the club wants to retain a piece of it, the team running out today against Geelong at Visy Park will be more of a training run for 18 Carlton listed players aiming to get back into the line-up for Friday night’s blockbuster against Hawthorn.
Hyde has done nothing wrong in his debut coaching season at the helm. It has been more the talented players that he has had at his disposal have either been injured, been in too good of form to be promoted to the Blues or have departed the club over the pre-season.
Tags: Northern Blues, Robert Hyde, VFL
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