Supercats’ weekend of frustration

THE Geelong Supercats have slumped to their third consecutive loss after some frantic and frustrating final minutes yesterday.

The Supercats lost both away matches in Tasmania, including giving up an 11-point final quarter lead in yesterday’s game against the Hobart Chargers.

A massive three-point shot from Hobart’s Craig Moller, combined with a contentious referee decision putting the Supercats in foul-line trouble, enabled the Chargers to cap off a thrilling 92-86 victory.

Supercats coach Leon O’Neill thought his side was the dominant team for the majority of the game but the result came down to matters out of their control.

“We were the better team for probably 39 minutes of the game and with an even amount of luck we might have gotten over the line,” O’Neill said.

“We were called for a turnover, which was right in front of our bench and we probably had a different angle on it to what was called. But that’s one of those things you can’t control and then it just became them shooting free throws.

“Hopefully (next week) we can get a share of the bit of luck that Hobart were able to get their hands on today.”

O’Neill was pleased with contribution across the board, with four players reaching double figures in points but lamented the fact they let their lead slip.

“We got a couple of their players in foul trouble by playing good aggressive offence and getting to the rim and they weren’t able to guard us.

“We weren’t able to get those same calls in the second half that probably would have put them really on the back foot.

“We were really disappointed we didn’t come away with a win today. We probably felt we deserved one.”

The first game of the road trip saw the Supercats defeated 92-76 by North West Tasmania, which was soured further with an injury to point guard Michael Luxford, forcing him out of yesterday’s game.

It was the Supercats’ heaviest loss of the season, but O’Neill praised the response his side gave following the loss.

“Saturday night we were very ordinary and didn’t play the level of intensity you need to play at to win a SEABL game, especially on the road,” he said.

But he said he was “incredibly proud” of their performance against Hobart. “They were very attentive to detail.”