Intensity counters size doubts

BELL Park co-coach Tim Sheringham has quashed suggestions the size of the ground at Simonds Stadium will trouble his outfit.

The Dragons are recognised as the best contested ball team, with rivals suggesting they are vulnerable to outside football.

But Sheringham said his side had developed a game plan that should be suited to the bigger ground.

“We do rate ourselves from a contested stoppage game style, but we also feel this year we’ve added an outside game,” he said.

“Luke Rayner, in particular, has probably brought that to us, that kind of emphasis.

“People talk about grounds and ground sizes, the length of Simonds, as much as they want, but ultimately I think 70 per cent of it really comes down to effort, intensity and attitude on the day.

“That’s what we’re going to bring.”

But the playing-coach said his side would be prepared for a running Saints outfit.

“We’re wary that a lot of sides come in against us with that emphasis,” he said.

“You’ve got to try to pick weaknesses in every opposition, so we try to do the same with St Mary’s and this week it might be the contested ball that we try to look after.

“We just hope the weakness the opposition identifies is stronger than their weakness that we identify.”

Sheringham described the feeling of finishing top three as “very comforting”, but said his group was aware how vital it was to win this week.

“You win the first week when you’ve got a double chance and you’re a long way towards playing in a grand final, really,” he said. SAT, SEPTEMBER 9 SUN, SEPTEMBER 10 SAT, SEPTEMBER 16 SAT, SEPTEMBER 23