Pies determined to stop the rot

GLENORCHY assistant coach Nathan Foale believes it will be a different Glenorchy that clashes with Launceston this week as the Pies look to resurrect their TSL season.

The reigning premiers have lost three consecutive matches at their KGV fortress — the first time since rounds seven, eight and nine in 2010 it has lost three State League games in a row.

It has left the club in a logjam with three others, including the Blues, on 16 points as the halfway point of the season approaches.

While injuries have hurt the club, Foale said the coaching group has also identified the areas that have cost the side in the three recent losses.

“We knew having a look at the roster it was going to be a tough period for us,” Foale said.

“The other sides we have played, they have really brought a game plan they have implemented really well and beaten us at some of the things we judge ourselves really harshly on.

“One of those is contested footy.

“We have had a look back over the video in the last three weeks and our contested footy numbers have been down.

“We have made a concerted effort this week to try and train towards that and pick it up.”

Launceston dominated the stoppages last week against Hobart City despite dropping the four points, with Jay BlackBerry dominant both with and without the ball.

Foale said the acid has been put on the leaders to show the way tomorrow at Windsor Park, and is expecting the likes of captain Brayden Webb, Rhys Mott and Jaye Bowden to lift.

“We need to get back to winning contested footy, which is what we pride ourselves on. We think we have a really good midfield group that have probably been a bit down in the last couple of weeks,” Foale said.

“They’ve pointed that out themselves that they need to step up and I’m sure you will see a much different Glenorchy side hit the park this week.

“It’s not panic stations, but we want to get a win and get our season back on track.”