Coachy's Corner: Round 3, 2009 Hi everyone, We played The Wannabees this week, a team that has been on the improve since starting up with Box Hill three weeks ago. The Bullets introduced Laura to the fray for Round 3 and I started her in the defensive role. Luke & Brent joined her there - Luke playing his first match down back this season, and Brent trying to keep the opposition captain goalless. Dani & Dean made up the centres and Simon, Narelle & myself slipped into the forward zone. The Wannabees got off to a great start, peppering the goals and moving the ball slickly. We had to get a bit of a move on and fortunately Luke was playing competitively in his backline role. He had taken a couple of good marks and probably broke even with his opponent by the end of the half, which was a good effort. Laura was winning a bit of the footy with a few kicks, which was impressive, and Brent had completely blanketed his boss, Rod, who was indeed, goalless. Another stroke of good fortune for The Bullets was Simon's first half effort in booting three goals, our only goals for the half. He got two of them from a fair distance, which required straight, long kicks, and the third right in front of goal. Narelle also chipped in for a couple of marks and effective passes early, which was good to see. Dani & Dean were effective in the middle getting plenty of possessions up forward. We were a bit behind at the break, but The Wanabees were playing good footy. At half time, Simon & Luke swapped ends and we got off to pretty good start, scoring the first two or three goals. Dani was starting to have an influence through the centre, as a link to going forward, where Luke & myself kicked a couple of goals. Simon & Brent were playing brilliantly down the other end and starting to get on top of their opponents. We were starting to come back into this match - Narelle, Brent & Simon getting plenty of the ball and feeding it to Dani & Dean. Laura then kicked a nine-pointer, with Luke & myself scoring our third each. Luke went to the centre and Dean went forward, also kicking two goals. But The Wanabees seemed to reply every time we just about had them. Rod's team won the day by 14 points, 90-76, in an entertaining match. Positives for me were Dani's terrific play through the centre - her field kicking has improved and her marking is as good as ever. Simon's attacking play out of defence is getting better. His marking is, at the moment, sensational. He seems to have a reach for marks that doesn't interfere with opponents and his close checking is effective. Brent's marking, similarly, is terrific, with smart footy and  dash out of defence. Luke's first half down back was impressive, and he was there for three goals up forward, as was Dean for two. I also look forward to playing Narelle in the centre and up forward again. Best Players: Dani, Simon, Brent, Luke, Dean.