Diamond Creek coach Andrew Tranquilli believes continuing to use a defence-first approach will be vital in his side’s MC Labour Division 2 top-five clash against Thomastown.
Speaking to NFNL.org.au ahead of his side’s Round 10 clash against the fifth-placed Bears at Main Street Recreation Reserve, Tranquilli believes holding structure will be key.
“Any team that’s coached by Mario (Bandera) is definitely going to be a dangerous side on the scoreboard,” Tranquilli said.
“Our number one thing is being a defensive-first side and hopefully our structures hold the pressures that they’ll put us under and we’ll take it from there.”
Diamond Creek’s structures have held up well so far this season, with the Creekers conceding an average of just 49 points a game – a competition low.
Tranquilli credited his players for adapting to this new style this season.
“A lot of these guys have just turned 20 years old. They’ve been playing junior football up until this year,” he said.
“Even then they’re learning a new method, a new mechanic of how to be a defensive-first attitude team.
“But as a whole, as a collective, it’s pretty pleasing that we’ve been able to keep sides to 49 points per game.”
Tranquilli has been impressed with the form of Josh Marchbank, with the big man currently sitting fifth in the Coaches MVP Award voting.
“Josh isn’t in our leadership group per se, but he is recognised as one of the leaders to the point that he’s really vocal on the ground as well,” Tranquilli said.
“Allowing Josh to play with a bit more freedom and not feel he has to do everything as a ruckman or as a tall has allowed him to play smarter, not harder.”
Tranquilli has also been pleased by the transformation of fellow tall Oliver Parks.
“I think he’s had a pretty good season thus far. He’s one that’s been asked to change his way of playing.”
Currently sitting third on the ladder, Tranquilli credited his team’s overall improvement on spreading the load and not relying too heavily on few players.
“We’re spreading the load right across our experienced and inexperienced players, which is pretty pleasing from a senior coaching point of view,” he said.
“The learning curve is what’s been pleasing because we’re a young playing group and an immature playing group when it comes to senior games.”
Tranquilli said the playing group was excited to be back in action this week and believes they will be well prepared from the first bounce.
“As a coaching panel we put together a training program for the two weeks. We stayed connected, whether it’s phone calls, text messages, emails, Microsoft and Zoom,” he said.
“Their actions were really loud during our first Saturday training session. They’re keen and they’re ready following a bit of an interruption.”
A broadcast of the match between Thomastown and Diamond Creek can be heard on 88.6 Plenty Valley FM, as well as via the NFNL website and TeamApp.
