Coming off an explosive game against Tocumwal the Redeyes got off to a good start against the Bloods matching them goal for goal with the scores level at 5.1 (31) each.
However, across the following four quarters Tocumwal outscored Blighty 94 points to 24 points, with Tocumwal winning 20.5 (125) to Blighty’s 8.7 (55).
Blighty senior coach Dane Leyden said the performance encapsulated much of the Redeyes season so far, with the team still with room to grow midway through the season.
“I’ve said it before, but it is encouraging to be competitive in games and the game is more fun when the team is kicking goals, but we still have a bit more to improve on,” he said.
“In the first quarter we were competitive, but it was the second quarter that hurt us.
“I gave the team a bit of a spray at half-time, as some of our guys didn’t bring the required effort and pressure.
“The team responded in the third quarter.”
From there, the team played hard until the end of the match, Leyden said, despite multiple Redeyes players getting sent off in the last quarter.
“Unfortunately, in the last quarter, we had three players sent off with yellow cards.
“That hadn’t happened to us this year yet, as we’ve been quite disciplined and respectful of the umpire’s decisions. They had two sent off as well.
“It wasn’t anything untoward, it was just some of our players protecting one of our younger players who was playing quite well and was copping a fair bit of heat all day.
“So that let them slip away in the last quarter, and it’s hard when you have fewer players on the field.
“Credit to Tocumwal; they really utilised it to their advantage with their run from halfback.
“But overall, I thought we showed good fight and showed we have been playing some good footy in bursts.”
Blighty is one of three winless teams this season so far, but have been eminently competitive.
They play at home against Katamatite, who have proven themselves as one of the best sides in the competition with a six win and one loss record. They sit in third position on the ladder.
Leyden said against Katamatite, Blighty plan to stop the main Tigers’ culprits and try to limit their damage.
“I really want us to identify our best opposition players,” he said.
“While their impact can often be a spread across their 22, I want us to identify some of their better players and try and nullify some of what they do best.
“There are some more winnable games down the road, so in these games against good teams, we will get a chance to show where we are at and hopefully get through unscathed.
“This weekend we’ll try and kick some goals. We’ve been playing good footy, but it is just about doing it for longer.”
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