Coutas keep eye on ball

THE chance of a top-five spot and a finals berth is real for Queenscliff, but coach Rory Nicol says it might serve as a distraction for his young charges.

The Coutas occupy sixth spot on the BFL ladder, just two points out of the finals equation, but with a youthful group Nicol said he wanted to focus on getting the basics right.

“We’re a young group, the guys are still learning how to play footy at the level and how to compete,” he said.

“Finishing fifth is a goal, but we’re not focusing on it.

“Instead, we’re focusing on the processes, on the game plan, and if we can do things we want to do and limit things we don’t, then the results will come.”

Queenscliff lost to a dominant Drysdale in wet and wintry conditions at the weekend and Nicol (pictured) said his side would need to adjust its game style as winter takes hold.

“At the start of the year we were running on top of the ground a bit, it seemed to suit our young and energetic guys a bit more,” he said.

“The wind, rain and soggy grounds has started to bring bigger bodies into the mix because the games have got a bit slower around the contest.”