Seagulls in strife
Injuries deepen pain of big loss
NORTH Shore’s gut-wrenching loss to St Albans has been further soured, with seasonending injuries to Jonny Fazio and Bailey Ettridge.
Seagulls coach Jason Davenport yesterday confirmed that Fazio and Ettridge, injured in the first half against the Supersaints, would likely sit out the final three matches of 2017.
Fazio suffered a hamstring strain, while Ettridge has a suspected broken thumb.
It’s a painful development for Davenport, who watched his side’s slim finals hopes slide down the drain with a lacklustre effort against the lowly Supersaints at Windsor Park.
“It was a disappointing result, no doubt,” Davenport said.
“St Albans have had their ups and downs this season and that’s been impacted by injuries to key players, but they played well and we just didn’t match them with energy and enthusiasm.
“It looked like one team was fatigued and the other team was really determined.”
But Davenport refused to blame the toil of the long season for the 31-point defeat.
“There’s no doubt it was an emotional win against Newtown the week before, and we felt training was really good in the lead-up to the game.
“Whether it was a preparation thing, we’re not sure. We’ll revisit that and dissect, but the reality is we didn’t have enough players turn up and play on the day.
“Their (Supersaints) intensity was evident from the start and it was unmatched by our guys. That became quite obvious and we weren’t at the same level.
“That’s the big thing from a growing and football maturity perspective, it’s a great learning curve for young guys when you can grab a game in the middle of the first or second quarter and say ‘let’s get control here’ or control the tempo or pace of the game. “It’s a big learning curve.” Davenport said it was unlikely he would regain the services of Fazio and Ettridge, who will be wrapped in cotton wool.
“It’s looks like they will be out, if not for the next couple of weeks, for the remainder of the season. It’s nothing serious that will disrupt their pre-seasons or anything, and I’m waiting for texts tonight, but those two will definitely miss this week and probably more.”
Ettridge is awaiting scans on his thumb.
“I don’t know if it’s broken, it might be some form of dislocation,” Davenport said.
“He’s waiting to find out if he needs surgery or not.”