Farrer League
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COLEAMBALLY coach Mitch Carroll is confident the Blues "can't play any worse" than they did against premiership threat East Wagga-Kooringal five days ago.
Coleambally started well but went to sleep for three quarters on Saturday as the Hawks ran away to win by 57 points.
It was a low point in the Blues' finals preparation and the loss ultimately cost the club a minor premiership.
Carroll admitted the performance was "very disappointing" but is buoyed by the knowledge Coleambally's game can only go up from here.
"We didn't use the ball well, our attack on the footy was soft...we just got complacent after that first quarter," Carroll said.
"Our skill errors killed us, we kicked to East Wagga players all day and kept turning the ball over across our half-back line.
"Full credit to East Wagga, they took their chances, but hopefully we can turn it around this weekend.
"Whichever way it goes it won't be a 50-point blowout again."
Coleambally will take on EWK again on Saturday as the two clubs battle for the chance to go up against minor premier Temora in the second semi final next week.
The loser will play a do-or-die first semi final against either Marrar or North Wagga.
Carroll isn't keen on casting his troops into the pressure of a must-win scenario quite so early in the finals series.
"If we lose this our second chance is gone," he said.
"If we win this one we take on Temora with the chance to earn a week off, which would be handy before the grand final."
EWK gave a couple of its players some run-with roles on Saturday and the taggers were later named as the club's best players for the game.
Blues ruckman-forward Dean Pound still enjoyed a big game despite some close attention from Blake Aichinger, while Drew Kenna was almost completely shut down by Hawks' Nick Baggio.
Coleambally centre half-forward Simon Mackie was also quiet.
Carroll knows it will take a 22-man effort to beat EWK.
"Dean and Drew are a big part of our team but they can't do it all themselves," he said.
"We can't rely on four or five players, everyone's got a job and they need to contribute."
All Farrer League teams have the luxury of a four-man bench during finals and Carroll plans on injecting some pace into the line-up for Saturday's clash.
Blake Jones, Graham O'Connell and John Evans are all in line for a call-up from reserve grade.
Small forward Brett Guest is at least one week away from returning from a shoulder injury.