For most teams, trailing by a single point at half-time isn't often a big issue, but for Mathoura a scoreline of 2.10 undoubtedly should have seen the margin in their favour.
But even as the Timbercutters’ woes in front of goals dissipated as the game progressed - they kicked 4.4 in the second half - the effects were long-lasting enough to lose them the game. The final score being 8.8 (56) to 6.16 (52) in favour of Jerilderie.
Heading into the match fully focused on setting up their season with a win, Mathoura coach Darcy Robinson said the loss had been felt hard by the group.
“To prepare all pre-season for that game and to come and play the way we did, it was pretty disappointing,” Robinson said.
“In a way we felt we lost the game, more than they won it.
“To have 40 inside 50s, 22 scoring shots and six goals for the day is an area we really need to address.
“We went away from a lot of the things we practiced in the pre-season.
“And credit to Jerilderie, they made it an arm-wrestle and bulked it right down, stoppage after stoppage.”
With losses offering more opportunities to learn, Robinson said the team was starkly reminded to stick to their guns and play their own game.
“We like to hold possession of the footy and move it quickly,” he said.
“But if teams are going to want to do that to us (hold it up), we just need to adapt and invent new ways to work through it and not get frustrated.”
With another game now on the horizon, Robinson said the Timbercutters would focus on several positives to come out of their first hit out.
“For years we struggled getting inside 50 entries,” he said.
“If you have 22 shots on goals you're probably doing okay.”
“The group is disappointed, but it's not all doom-and-gloom.
“We take a lot of positives out of it and start preparing for Katunga next week.”
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