Coach Ben Rodin believed the Cowra Blues "let one slip" against the Parkes Panthers on Saturday afternoon after losing by 21 points in blustering winds at North Parkes Oval.
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"As I said to the boys after the game, the effort was strong, and it always is, but we were just too reactive this week," the first-year coach said.
"We were too hesitant at some moments, and too much like a bull-at-a-gate at other points of the game.
"It definitely feels like a missed opportunity, albeit one that allows for plenty of room for improvement."
The coach was pleased with the efforts of his younger brigade, especially Dimas Bakini, Paddy Ryan and Joe Waters.
Bakini successfully played a run-with role against Parkes' Brent Tucker, restricting him for two-and-a-half quarters, while Ryan's effort on the wing was important creating defensive transition and attacking spread.
The effort was strong, and it always is, but we were just too reactive this week.
- Blues Coach Ben Rodin
Meanwhile, Waters, as he was the last time the Blues played the Panthers, was dominant in the ruck, winning hit-outs and possessions at will.
Nevertheless, while abetted by the efforts of the experienced Frank Bright and Chris Day, it wasn't enough.
Parkes won the toss and kicked with a five goal breeze in the first quarter, but while the Blues were stubborn in defence, restricting them to 2.8, they failed to apply the same pressure when they finally got their opportunities in the second quarter.
A missed set shot from directly in front late in the second quarter compounded the visiting team's frustration, as they kicked 2.5 to be three points down at the main break.
The second half started out in a similar manner, with the Blues stoic in defense as the Panthers got out to a 22 point lead, while Tucker broke free of the Bakini tag and started to make his presence felt around the ground.
Left with nothing to lose, Cowra simply couldn't kick through the Panthers' flood, and as the quarter wore on the hosts exploited the inexperience of the Blues' defence.
Effectively breaking even against the breeze, with the Blues only imagining 1.1 against the home team's late goal, was enough for the Panthers, who ended up winning 6.10.46 to 3.7.25.
Rodin said the reasons for the loss were simple.
"They were a little bit harder and smarter for longer periods of the game than us," he said.
With another bye before a daunting road trip to Dubbo and two weeks without footy to follow that fixture, the coach admitted that finding continuity would be tough over the coming weeks.
"It's unfortunate we won't be able to implement the lessons we learnt today straight away, but on the flipside that gives us plenty of time to reflect.
"We've shown a lot of resilience this year so I have a lot of faith we'll bounce back."
- PARKES PANTHERS 6.10.46 (Goals: D. Flanagan 2, L. Bolt, P. Webb, N. Baird, B. Tucker) def COWRA BLUES 3.7.25 (Goals: T. Thuaux, F. Bright, C. Day)
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