Wanting to hit top form with Cyclones
Rollers coach disappointed by manner of Capitals defeat
AFTER a bright start to the QBL season which saw them notch up two wins in a row, a round two defeat against the Brisbane Capitals has forced Gold Coast Rollers men’s coach Mick Conlon back to the white board.
“I wrote on the white board before the game that we needed to out-want them, but they out-wanted us,” Conlon (inset) said.
“They played harder and smarter than we did and we didn’t rise to the physicality. We got punched in the face.”
Of the Rollers selected team last Saturday night, Conlon felt that only four impacted the final result.
“Essentially two out of our ten played at the level we’d expect which is disappointing,” he said.
“Spencer Parker (Rollers American import) is a class above the players in the league. He had a few fouls so he played his hardest the whole game.
“TJ Diop stood up in the big moments and we’ll try to make him a bigger focus up forward in the future.
“Jaryd Eustance and Christian Salecich were two of our younger guys who played hard but due to their low minutes, it was hard for them to contribute to the final result.”
After labelling his imports the “best of any team in the league” during pre-season, Conlon said he has dared his second US talent LJ Rose to live up to his potential.
“I felt like LJ was playing in second gear so I challenged him because their opposition guard got the better of him,” he said. “The biggest problem I have with my team is that no one on my team is selfish.”
This week the Rollers turn their attention to a Sunday afternoon home clash against the Rockhampton Cyclones.
“They’re potential title favourites but we get them on the back of a double header,” Conlon said. “We get two weeks off after that so I’m expecting a big effort.”
The Rollers women play tomorrow at 12pm followed by the men at 2pm.
DOUBLE DRIBBLE: Friday