RIVERINA FOOTBALL LEAGUE
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EXPERIENCED Collingullie-Ashmont-Kapooka coach Shane Lenon yesterday declared he has no concerns over the Demons’ surprisingly slow start to the season.
A third loss last Sunday from the opening four rounds has last year’s grand finalist slumped in seventh position and only percentage from the bottom of the ladder.
Lenon yesterday said it was far from panic stations at Crossroads Oval ahead of Saturday’s crunch game at home against Leeton-Whitton.
“It’s not frustrating, there has been a lot of positives,” Lenon said yesterday.
“I know we’re one (win) and three (losses) but there is a lot of positive stuff going around.
“Ideally you would like to be the other way around but you can’t change that.
“There are a lot more positives than negatives.”
CAK’s most recent loss came against Coolamon last Sunday when the Demons blew a 27-point lead midway through the last quarter to go down by a goal.
It was the third time the Demons had given up a three-quarter-time lead only to lose the game.
In round one, CAK led Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong by one goal at the last change then lost by nine points.
The Demons then led Wagga Tigers by 11 points at three-quarter-time in round three, only to lose also by nine points.
“That’s irrelevant for mine,” Lenon said.
“Our fitness levels are very good.
“We had a very good pre-season, probably the best one we’ve had since we’ve been in the RFL.”
The Demons will get the timely boost of several key inclusions for Saturday’s clash against the Crows.
Co-captain Chris Gow will return from a bad cork, while Matt Beckmans and Jack Egan are also likely to return from injuries.
The Demons will lose Ben Absolum for an undetermined amount of time through an ankle injury.
Will Haines is still a couple of weeks away after knee surgery.
Lenon realises the stakes will be high on Saturday against the Crows, who are another finals team from last year struggling with just one win from the opening four rounds.
“It’s going to be another good test, back at home so we’re looking forward to it,” Lenon said.
“I’m just after improvement. I reckon there has been a bit of improvement in areas every week.
“They’re the same as us, just the one win, but if we go about it the right way then we’ll give ourselves every chance to get the four points.”
Lenon added that he was happy with debut of new recruit Fred Sleeth despite an inaccurate day in front of goal.
Lenon believes this year’s RFL competition is shaping up as better and more even than last year.