LAKE Albert coach Mitch Tinnock says the side will rally around a deflated Kane Baumer after his missed penalty strike swung the momentum Hanwood's way in Sunday's 2-1 grand final loss.
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Baumer executed a superb penalty in the 19th minute, but sprayed a second attempt from the spot well over the crossbar ten minutes before the break.
Just moments later Joey Schirripa scored a long range screamer to equalise for Hanwood, and later finished the job for the Griffith side with a well taken second goal deep in extra time.
"No one's going to blame him for the result," Tinnock said.
"Obviously he's disappointed and everyone makes mistakes, unfortunately his mistake was the biggest of the game.
"We'll get around him and we'll be right, we're a tight bunch here at the Sharkies. Most of us have been here for ten or more years, we won't be getting stuck into him."
Although they fell just short in their premiership defence, Tinnock said the season was a big success and praised his side for pushing a classy Hanwood to the brink.
"It was a couple of rocket strikes that undid us in the end. We missed a couple of chances but I'm still real proud of the boys," he said.
"It hurts right now but we're pretty happy with taking a classy outfit like that to extra time."
Centre back Ben Mavor finished the night on crutches after suffering a serious knee injury in the second half.
"It could be retirement for him, you never know. It's definitely a long term thing," Tinnock said.
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