Cats face critical clash
Relegation threat for loser of crucial match
THE threat of relegation is real.
But Tony Armstrong won’t concern himself with off-field distractions as Lara enters one of the most important matches in its recent history.
After 33 straight losses — the equivalent of almost two seasons without a win — the Cats face fellow cellar dweller St Albans in what shapes up as a crucial clash in the context of the season.
The axe is hovering above both clubs, but the loser is consigned to a future in the second division.
However, first-year coach Armstrong insists it’s not weighing him down.
“There’s literally no point me worrying about that,” Armstrong stressed.
“All I can worry about is the way we play. And if we play the way that we want to play, and the way that we can play, then we give ourselves a chance to stay up.
“Personally, I haven’t talked to the group about that or thought too much about it. I’m sure there’ll come a point where that changes, don’t worry, but for me it’s all about how we can attack this coming week. How can we set the boys up to consistently repeat strong efforts.”
Winning just one match in 2016 — a 25-point victory over North Shore — the Cats have struggled.
Going winless in 2017 under Simon Riddoch, who was sacked in the first year of a three-year contract, Lara has dropped the first three matches to be in the gun.
The Supersaints are also searching for its first win since last season when they downed the Cats in Round 16 by 100 points.
“Not to speak on their behalf, but I would take the assumption that they are not too happy with where they’re at,” Armstrong said.
“So neither club is necessarily happy with the positions we’re in, so this game is one we look forward to.”
With an average losing margin of 143.83 last season, the Cats have showed fight in the early rounds, despite more thrashings.
Armstrong’s men were competitive against Colac, losing by 80 points, before lowering their colours in a 155point drubbing to Grovedale.
It improved against St Mary’s, although the Cats copped another triple-figure hiding.
“I think we have improved, yes, but what underpins everything we do is attitude and effort,” Armstrong said.
“If you get consistent effort, and quality, sustained effort, that’s when you can then start talking about how we’re going from a structural point of view.
“When we bring effort and attitude, we’re a better side. That said, we’ve been inconsistent with that so far.
“For us, we just focus on getting our non-negotiables right. Against Mary’s our attitude and effort was there, but we’re just not at the level to be competing with them.
“I was pleased with the effort on the weekend, but we need to tidy up some top-end things, but the week before ... I’m still waiting for us to turn up against Grovedale.
“That was really disappointing. It’s been inconsistent in games and rounds, but the good thing about footy is you get another week (to redeem yourself) and that’s what we’ve got this week.
“We’ve got an opportunity to get our effort right before St Albans.”
Armstrong is adamant his team can push St Albans if they bring the “nonnegotiables”.
“You have to believe, for sure,” Armstrong said.
“But you just have to worry about the processes and worry about everything but the scoreboard.
“You’ve got to make sure you get your structure right, you’ve got to make sure blokes are turning up and given that effort that underpins everything else.
“If you get all that stuff right, you can start having conversations about structure and game plans.
“We’ll be demanded that high level of commitment across four quarters, because if we bring that, we’ll give ourselves every opportunity to be in the game at the death knock.”
In a boost for Lara, injured duo Kane Higgins (collarbone) and Jack Hancock (ankle) are in the frame to return against the Supersaints.