The most formidable team first grade men’s team seems to be blitzing it with 11 consecutive wins, but according to the coach, Lake Albert’s form has been slipping.
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Their training grounds at Rawlings Park have been rested, set aside for mid-week catch-up games and weekend games, and it’s taking its toll on performance.
“Our standard of play is dropping off week on week,” Lake Albert coach Michael Babic said.
“We haven’t had a training session in six weeks.
“On Sunday, we lacked the quality we’ve been building.”
First-placed Lake Albert defeated ninth-placed Young 10-1 in Cootamundra on Sunday.
“You look at the score, and it’s hard to be disappointed,” Babic said.
“But we didn’t feel we performed well, we felt a little down to be honest.”
The crux of the issue for Babic is that a lack of fitness heightens the risk of injury.
“When you’re unfit you get injured,” he said.
On Sunday, Jamie Rankin copped a kick to the shin and Cameron Mavor damaged his hamstring; it could be a month before he’s fighting fit.
“We haven’t won a reserve-grade game, I haven’t got the depth to be losing players,” Babic said.
“Once we get beyond the first 14 players you notice the drop in skill.”
Lake Albert has secured a place in the Pascoe Cup finals, 13 points clear of fifth-placed South Wagga, and three points clear of second-placed Cootamundra with a goal difference of 74, compared to Cootamundra’s 43.
Babic’s primary focus will be on preparing the squad for finals.
“The remaining four games will be about managing ourselves with injuries,” he said.
“I’m not overly concerned about winning games.”
Lake Albert was set to play Henwood Park on Saturday night, but the game has been shifted to Friday at 8pm.
“If we can get through Henwood, I’m sure we’ll coast to the minor premiership,” Babic said.
