Reserved with Matt - Round 21

The Subiaco Reserves will this week look to wrap up the minor premiership and a first week finals bye, needing a win over Perth.

 

Having won five of their past six games to gain and consolidate top spot, Subiaco is producing some of its best football at the right time of year.

Coach Matt Cavedon gives an update from inside the Reserves program:

 

 

Matt, getting close towards that exciting point of the year and finals time, how is the mood around your playing group heading into the last game of the home and away season?

 

I think the whole club is excited about the upcoming Finals series, the players are looking forward to the challenge ahead. That being said, selection is tough with the list being fit & healthy and spots are tight

 

 

Must be pretty intense competition within the group at the moment. You have a number of players who have played league footy fighting to win a league finals spot, while there are a number of players who have played Reserves footy on the outer at the moment probably wanting to play Reserves finals, do you get that sense of intense competition in the group?

 

Not at all. Everyone understands where they are at, in terms of areas they need to work on their game and craft. It’s not about kicks, marks and handballs it’s about being able to contribute to the team outcomes. As I said above it is hard for those who aren’t playing reserves at the moment, it’s all about being patient and ready for when an opportunity opens up.

 

 

How do you go about managing those players who are battling to get their way into the side, especially now on the eve of finals?

 

The nature of footy with injuries and performance means that opportunities will always be there. As coaches we focus on the supporting the players in maintaining their skills, knowledge and attitude to be able to make the most of that opportunity when it presents.

It’s all about having strong relationships with the whole group and providing support and motivation for those players. In my opinion, Footy is all about relationships. Our League leaders have been really impressive in their mentoring and support of the Development players. They go out of their way to foster those relationships by gathering for dinners and coffee, outside of the footy club environment.

 

 

A couple of big weeks in front of goals. You scored 126 points against West Perth, then 130 against East Fremantle, is there any reason you see as to why you have had your two best offensive games of the season the past two weeks?

I think we have been getting a consistent number of Inside 50m entries throughout the year. In recent times we have just focussed on our efficiency in front of goal. 

 

 

Since the last time we spoke you have had a real good story come to pass with Reid Polak returning after a serious knee injury. He has put a few games together now, how pleasing has it been to get Reid out playing footy again?

 

It is always positive having someone return from Long Term Injury as the process to return to play is not an easy one. Reid put together some good form with Scarborough in the Amateurs before getting his opportunity to return to Development football. I am excited to see Reid’s growth, particularly if he can get a solid pre-season under his belt.

 

 

Last week’s game you had a few good contributors all over the field, Sean Bradley, Michael Braut, Ray Daniels and David Ehlers were all very good in the win?

 

Sean Bradley played his best game for the year which is great for his confidence. Michael Braut played well down back and has done his League opportunities no harm with his recent performances. Ray Daniels has been lively since his return from a serious leg issue and has been improving week on week. Dave Ehlers has continued to work on his game and has certainly taken his opportunities. He is now seeing reward for the hard work he has put in.

 

 

Individually you have had players like Clancy Wheeler, Max Walters and Brad Stevenson come down and produce big games for your side, how important is that to the whole group to see regular league players who find themselves in the Reserves contributing strongly when in your team?

 

I guess that is a bi-product of a strong League side. Being able to use those senior players as on-field examples of the expected standards in terms of communication and reading the game has accelerated the learning of the Development group.

 

 

Mentioned last week that nine guys have played every game of league footy this year, you have had four guys play every game of Reserves this year, Jack Beverley, Travis Cleggett, Max Dennis and Ben Reid, what does it say about their consistency to contribute every week?

 

They have all continued to improve throughout the year which is a testament to their preparation on willingness to learn and work on their craft. We believe all of those players can be very good League WAFL players in the future if they continue to improve their game.

 

 

Last game of the year next week against Perth, you need to win to secure top spot, how much of a motivation is that to your team? Perth, your opponents, they are fighting for their own finals spot, promises to be a real good game of footy, what stands out for you on what you need to do to win?

 

The result is not as important as the process. We can only control the way we prepare and continue to refine our game to make sure we are ready to go for our first final. That being said, we will be treating this as a Final in terms of our focus and application.

 

 

Good luck this week Matt.