The Northern Knights have used a strong last quarter to run away 24 point winners over the Bendigo Pioneers on Saturday and Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The Knights kicked 5 goals to 2 in the last quarter to record their third win of the season.
After starting well, the Knights had a poor second and third terms but to stand up and finish the game off really pleased coach Andrew Shakespeare “We fell away in the second and third quarters, all credit to Bendigo they worked hard, but more importantly we were challenged in the last quarter, we’ve had a history of when we are challenged we collapse a bit, but today we learnt we can fight and learnt how to win and it took 23 of us to achieve that.”
After a poor showing against the Sandringham Dragons the Knights came to the game with a plan and got the result they wanted. “It was a reward for effort, today we came up here our number one priority was to play as a team, 23 players united, do the small things and sacrifice for each other and continue to do that for four quarters.” Shakespeare said.
In regards to playing their role, Matt Perry and Corey McKay played down forward today and did with huge success. Perry finished with 4 goals and 17 touches including 10 in the last term while McKay finished with 3.6 and 16 touches for the day.
“New roles for Pez and Macca, knew it would hurt us in the midfield, but for them to learn the roles and kick 7.10 collectively and to have that scoring ability and for them to develop as forwards, really gives them something and us something.”
While those two didn’t play in the midfield today, there was still plenty that stepped up in that part of the ground. Lachie Murphy (35 disposals, 11 clearances, 9 tackles, Matt Signorello 29 disposals, 10 tackles), Lachie Wilson 25 disposals and 12 tackles) were outstanding and that wasn’t lost on the coach.
“Lachie Murphy was absolutely sensational with the ball and without the ball, his defensive efforts were fantastic and Matt Signarello’s inside work was outstanding, to have 30 possessions and a good 20 of them would have been contested.”
The coach also praised last week’s 4 goal hero Sam Binion who was sent back in the last quarter to help steady the defence “The last quarter of Sam Binion was great, really showed what good defence does, read the play go straight ahead and beat your opponent.”
The Knights travel to Wangaratta next week to take on the Murray Bushrangers on Saturday afternoon as they look to make it two wins in a row.
Last Modified on 25/06/2016 20:38