Ammos will reload

BFL GRAND FINAL

GEELONG Amateur coach Rowan McSparron has backed his powerhouse club to bounce back and push hard towards another premiership after its 51-point humbling by Torquay on Saturday.

Chasing a BFL record-equalling fourth consecutive flag, Ammos were systematically broken down by a ruthless Torquay at Mortimer Oval.

Speaking to his dejected players in the rooms after the game, McSparron praised their effort all season even though they fell at the last hurdle.

“I’m a big believer that I’d rather make a grand final every year and lose it than not make it at all,” he said.

“For the footy club to not only have the seniors but the reserves and under-18s in as well is a credit to the club.

“As much as it hurts, you want to make sure you are back here again next year. The results are going to come and go. Unless you give yourself the opportunity to play here in the last game, you are never going to know, you will die wondering.

“As much as this hurts we will refresh and look to strengthen the squad and go again next year.”

Pressure started building on Ammos early, kicking seven behinds in the first quarter despite enjoying time in their forward half. McSparron said his side could not build any momentum when it counted.

“We wanted to put our best foot forward and it didn’t happen. We were outplayed,” he said.

“We pride ourselves on taking our opportunities when we go forward and today just wasn’t one of those days. At one stage we were one goal 10. We had four more scoring shots and they were up by 20-odd points.

“To their credit they made the most of their opportunities going forward and they were dangerous once the ball hit their forward 50. They capitalised on their forward entries.”

The Tigers were relentless when Ammos had the ball and it forced the BFL powerhouse into making uncharacteristic mistakes. A team that is normally so clean with the ball was forced to hurriedly kick into their attacking 50, making it hard for Damien Zaparenkov and spearhead Mitch Day. Day, Zaparenkov and Matt Walsh could muster only three majors between them.

“They set up well around the footy. We butchered the ball coming forward at times and it made it hard for our big boys,” McSparron said.