Home ground a non-advantage says Coolangatta coach
MOVING Saturday’s blockbuster QFA Division 2 clash from Carrara to Coolangatta could work against the new hosts says Blues coach Matt Ashenden.
It is not often a coach would prefer to play away from home but Ashenden says the size and superior drainage of the Coolangatta ground will likely suit Carrara’s gamestyle more than the hosts.
“I would have preferred to play there to be honest,” he said.
“Their ground doesn’t drain particularly well and I would like to take the pace off them a bit. I’ve watched them play a couple of times now and they are a really good side.”
Despite their ladder position the Blues look to be one of the finals fancies this season, though Ashenden maintains Carrara is the competition benchmark.
The Saints are unbeaten to start the season, though their only real scalp came back in Round 5 when they thumped reigning premiers Burleigh by 47 points.
“They are the benchmark. Their midfield is incredibly strong and their ruckman has been dominant for the past couple of years,” Ashenden said.
“The thing that is noticeable is how hard they run and spread from halfback. We have to control the footy and not give them the chance to do that against us.”
Coolangatta meanwhile has only managed to play three games this season due to byes and washouts.
The Blues also soundly defeated Burleigh earlier this season, despite a woeful day in front of goal that resulted in 28 behinds.
It was accuracy that ultimately cost them in Round 2 against Coomera but the Blues righted the ship against Tweed last time out, in a 106-point thrashing.
Ex-north Melbourne AFL player Joel Tippett has kicked seven goals in his two games for the Blues and has retooled an already dangerous forward line into something truly scary.
“He’s a very good footballer – who would have seen that coming,” Ashenden joked.
“I think from the five-minute mark of the Burleigh game he had four blokes hanging off him. It makes our forward line really dangerous having him up there.”
The Blues play both Carrara and Bond Uni three times each this season, making this game a must-win in Ashenden’s eyes of Coolangatta is to push for a finals berth.