CRAVING CONSISTENCY

By Matt Fotia

Seville are craving consistency in their ATC Traffic Division Two performances, after the Blues grabbed their fifth win of the season defeating Gembrook-Cockatoo by 48 points 17.13(115) – 10.7(67) away from home.

The Blues kicked seven goals to two in a frantic first quarter before allowing the hosts to get back into the game during the second stanza as the margin slimmed to just 20 points at half time. The second half promised more of a tight contest but the Blues were able to run away with the game, kicking eight goals to three to finish the round in third position on the ladder.

Justin Myers impressed in his first game back from a calf injury he suffered in the Blues Round Three clash with Yarra Glen. The skilful midfielder was deployed off the half back flank by coach Kane Shore and took on the role of defensive general.

“That (directing traffic) comes with playing a lot of footy, we’ve got a lot of young kids down there so it’s nice to play that role for the team,”

“There are voices out there (on the ground), but we want to have a lot more people taking and directing traffic down in defence.”

The Blues are known for their aggressive style of play and are ranked equal first in the competition for points scored and have one of the more potent forward lines in the whole competition let alone the division. On Saturday that forward line became even stronger as Josh Fraser booted seven in his first game for the season.

The Blues also welcomed back Joshua Neal and Gareth Fraser. The pair had transferred to Eastern Football League Division One outfit Lilydale during the off-season but have returned home in recent weeks Fraser playing last weekend, whilst Neal kicked six on his return against the Brookers.

Myers doesn’t know the absolute truth as to why the duo have returned, but is happy to have them back.

“Maybe it wasn’t working for them there at Lilydale, maybe they just missed the boys a fair bit – it’s a family club here at Seville,”

“We’re trying to build something here, we’ve lost a few Grand Finals so we are trying to create something across the next four to five years.”

The two Joshua’s – Neal and Fraser – mean Seville have five players capable of kicking a match winning haul in their forward line, with skipper Nathan O’Keefe, recruit Patrick Ratray and small forward Dylan Broadway all lining up inside fifty for the Blues.

Whilst it’s a scary proposition for a lot of sides, Myers knows that all forwards rely on good delivery.

“If we don’t stick to our structures, they’re not going to get the delivery they want anyway – we’ve got good footballers on every line, we just need to play consistent football together.”

The Blues have a week off in Round Eight due to the nine team division, before a clash with the current ladder leaders Kinglake at home in Round Nine in what Myers believes will be a massive test for Seville.

“It’ll definitely sort the men out from the boys.”