Horror show in NEAFL caning

A LACKLUSTRE first half has sent the Suns toppling out of the NEAFL’s top six following a 50-point loss to Sydney University.

The horror weekend of Coast footy was spread across both teams, with the Suns reserves losing 14.6 (90) to 6.4 (40) at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday.

“Unfortunately we were a bit disappointed with the first half,” development coach Tate Kaesler said as they slumped to eighth on the ladder. “It was mainly around our contest work. I think for the half we were minus-19 in that area.

“It’s something we pride ourselves on and to add to that they probably got us on the outside a bit as well, so the uncontested possessions.

“We addressed that at halftime and to the boys’ credit we ended up even in the second half in terms of the contested footy so it was a good response but unfortunately in modern footy you can’t give teams that much of a start.”

Kaesler was coaching the group, with NEAFL coach Nick Malceski a runner for the AFL side at Metricon Stadium that night.

Malceski usually coaches the reserves then acts as a runner for the seniors when they play in the same city but, since the mid-season bye, senior

coach Stuart Dew has made his running role the priority as he desperately tries to break a 12-game losing run.

Kaesler said fellow development coach Tim Clark would probably share the NEAFL coaching duties in the back end of the season but believed there was no long-term plan to make either the full-time reserves coach.

“Nick has been around for a while and understands what it takes to play at the level,” Kaesler said. “He has a really good feel for the game where he can be really clear with the messaging we are trying to get to the players from the box.

“It’s restricted now so you don’t get a lot of opportunities to get the message out so it’s important we get real clarity around our messaging.”

Meanwhile, Southport lost 14.12 (96) to 7.7 (49) to the Swans at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday.