By Josh Ward.
After weeks of getting used to a new game style, Knox was able to execute it to perfection last Saturday night.
The Falcons were able to break through for their first win of the campaign under the lights of Knox Gardens Reserve, holding off a fast-finishing Ringwood to win by five points.
It’s the first win for the side with Steve Buckle at the helm, with the senior coach recently saying there was a feeling of relief and pride after the final siren rang.
“We went in with a plan and the boys were able to execute it for the best part of four quarters,” Buckle said.
“Ringwood are a very good and a pretty successful team over the best part of the last decade. They were always gonna come at some stage, we were just hoping they would fall short and they did.”
Despite being winless in the opening half of the season Buckle felt the side had continued to build towards that opening win of the season last weekend.
“We did our review and preview of Ringwood and we were able to show that in the first 11 minutes of that second quarter against The Basin.
“(It) showed the style of footy we wanted to play, how dangerous we can be and how quickly we can score when we execute the way we want to play.”
The side was also able to salute Aaron Black in his 100th game as well as Troy McGown in his 150th game on the night. However, there was a team-first focus for the side heading into the game.
“We went in with a team-first mentality rather than individualising what the night was about. (We were happy) we came out (winners) at the end of it, they could celebrate it and both played well in their milestone games which is also very pleasing.”
Getting off to a fast start with seven goals to just two behinds in the opening quarter kicking with the breeze as well as that team first mentality were some factors for the Falcons’ breakthrough victory.
“I think our pressure, especially in that first half, was elite so I don’t think it would’ve mattered who we played.
“That first quarter it wouldn’t have mattered what the opposition was because the boys were switched on for the first time this year, with everybody executing the pressure and how we wanted to play.”
Harrison Greaves continued his stellar season up forward and through midfield with a four-goal outing as well as a seventh mention in the best.
“He knows the effort that’s required and understands it, he’s coming into his prime at the age of 25. He along with the other coaches is demanding the effort that’s required from the boys.
“He never drops his head, he’s always up and about, he’s got great energy, he’s a great leader and someone that the younger guys can look up to.”
Young guns Harry O’Brien and Sam Woodward also had strong outings, with both continuing to improve week by week.
“(Harry’s) attack on the ball, the understanding of the game for such a young guy is really pleasing. I’m very proud of him at the moment and again he was good on the weekend…
“(Sam’s) starting to understand the effort that he has to put in to give us first use in the ruck but his follow-up work over the last couple of weeks has been phenomenal.”
However, it isn’t just those two continuing to improve their game, with Buckle adding that all of the younger boys had improved as the season has gone on.
“Most of our boys have only played 20 senior games before this year so the future is bright and I’m very pleased with the development because they all want to learn, they want to try and understand and they all want to get better.”
The development has also been bolstered with many experienced names continuing to step up on a weekly basis.
“To have guys like Jordan Love, Ash Black and now Troy McGown in the team we get some good experience with them. When Jack Martin’s played as well he’s also been really good.”
With this victory in the weekend, Buckle believes that it can give the side a lot of belief heading into the back end of the season.
“Especially because it was Ringwood as well it’s a decent scalp for us to be able to take. I know they’re not having their best season but it’s still a team that we haven’t been able to get over historically.
“To do it and to do it in the manner that we did, I know it was close in the end but to play the way we did for the most part of the game the boys now really see firsthand what they can do.”
They travel to Kings Park to play Upper Ferntree Gully this weekend who won the first meeting between the two on Knox’s home deck.
“While we’ll still enjoy Saturday’s win, the challenge now is to put that behind us and focus this week on Tuesday and Thursday.
“We’ll review the weekend that’s gone and then preview Upper Gully as well, we’ll get a plan together about how we’re gonna try to attack them. And again hopefully the boys can go out, execute that and hopefully we can get two wins in a row.”
