Inconsistent Supercats

GEELONG coach Leon O’Neill will continue to search for the answer to closing the gap between the Supercats’ best and worst performances after both were on show either side of halftime in Friday’s 10point loss to Mount Gambier.

The 104-94 scoreline could have been much worse were it not for a gallant fightback from 28 points down at the main break, and as many as 31; Geelong getting within as few as four points, just minutes out from the final buzzer.

The visitors to South Australia were up against it from the outset with Daniel Alexander (21 points, 11 rebounds) and Tom Daly (18 points eight assists) continuing from where they left off just six days earlier in the defeat of Geelong at the Arena. However, with threepoint specialist Eric Burdon (29 points) off the leash, hitting six of 11 attempts at 54 per cent from outside the arc, the Supercats were left floundering and facing a 76-48 scoreline at the main break.

However, with a far more disciplined defensive effort beyond the break, O’Neill’s lineup was, firstly, able to add some respectability to the scoreline, before legitimately threatening the Pioneers’ grip on the game down the stretch.

Geelong held Mount Gambier to just six points in the third quarter, outpointing the host by 13, before winning the battle, but still losing the war with a 27-22 final stanza.

“Our second half was outstanding; to hold them to six points in the third quarter, particularly against a team that scores in the hundreds,” O’Neill said.

“But to play such a poor first half, I can’t think why we were so bad, I haven’t come up with an answer yet.

“But we need to figure out why if we are planning on going anywhere this year.”

DeMarcus Gatlin’s amazing 2017 form continued with another double-double of 29 points and 13 rebounds to carry much of the scoring burden for the Supercats, while former Big V Stingray Ma’alo Hicks showed that he is continuing to adjust to the pace and physical nature of the SEABL with another impressive 18-point, 11-rebound offering from his 30 minutes of floor time.

“If DeMarcus isn’t in League MVP consideration I’ll be very surprised,” O’Neill said of his prized playmaker.

“He just goes with the flow and does his job, but he also gets to guard the opposition’s best player.’’

Where the Pioneers contained Nathan Herbert to four points a week earlier, the evergreen shooter returned to true form with an outstanding 25point, nine-rebound contribution, shooting at 50 per cent from the field.

Despite the consecutive losses to Mount Gambier, O’Neill is determined to keep things in perspective.

“They’ve put together a very tight eight-man rotation with two imports and six players that either play or have played NBL,” he said.

“It’s tough and it sort of saps you a little bit, but I also know that the challenge against Mount Gambier is not insurmountable.’’