WARRIORS LET DOWN BY FADEOUT AT FINISH
IN MANY ways, this was the match that summed up North Geelong’s season.
The Warriors’ late-season form drop continued on Saturday, losing 2-0 to Whittlesea Ranges at Elcho Park in a match punctuated by missed opportunities.
For Warriors coach James Coutts, the result summed up his thoughts on the season with one game to go.
“It was the same story as it has been most of the season, to be honest,” Coutts said.
“We had a lot of opportunities in terms of possession in the final third, but we did not have enough quality to finish and create chances.
“Ultimately that is what has let us down the majority of the season.
“Last week we had a huge number of opportunities and this week again, in terms of possession in the final third, where we lacked that little bit of quality, they had it from a couple of players and that proved the difference again.”
The Warriors’ final home game of the season proved to be an emotional occasion for the outgoing coach who announced his impending departure midweek.
“The crowd and support were awesome again,” Coutts said.
“For myself, I wanted to thank them for how they have supported myself and the team over the last year and a half.
“I was talking to them and if they see lads trying and really putting in a shift, they can accept losing games. They just want to see lads fighting.
“You can see in the dressing room there are players that really want to work and hopefully next year the club can kick on and push towards promotion.”
The Warriors will look to finish the season strongly with a friendly against ALeague newcomer Western United followed by Moreland City next round at Campbell Reserve.
“We have the friendly against Western United on Tuesday, so that will be a good occasion for the boys to go and test themselves against an A-League side so we are looking forward to that and playing at a top facility,” Coutts said.
“We can go there and enjoy that and rest up and prepare for Moreland on Saturday.
“Both teams are obviously safe and cannot move in terms of position, so it will be a good opportunity to give some players a chance to go and express themselves and see were we go.”