Dimma has a video email newsletter now for members. You would've got the first one during this week.
* Played 4 of the top 5 sides and haven't been able to get the results we were after. 8 minute lapses cost us in each game.
* All sides cop those 8 minutes bursts against them but we need to get better at not letting it hurt us so much on the scoreboard.
* We know we've dramatically improved since last year. This time last year these sides were smashing us by 10 goals. We've been competitive and honest for the whole of games this year. The gamestyle has come on and developed. Our ability to control the ball is very good. The scribes say we are poor disposers of the ball but we are ranked Top 4 in disposal efficiency so that dispels that myth. We do turn it over like all sides - we just need to not let it hit us on the scoreboard. Our defensive sides have definitely improved - scores against us have gone down significantly; ball pressure has been a hell of a lot better and our tackle pressure has improved also. Credited Ross Smith and the other assistant coaches.
* Forward line has been a struggle this year. Jack and Ty by their own admission can play better but also our ball use inside forward 50 has been poor prior to the Eagles game where it improved. As our ball use inside forward 50 improves it will make Jack and Ty's job easier.
* Pleased with our midfield depth - Grigg, Foley, Tuck, Conca and Ellis have been enormously important to us. We don't rely on Cotch and Martin playing well every weekend which is a positive sign for a young side.
* How do we improve? By start winning games. It's no longer good enough to just compete; we need to win now. We've put all our planning and preparation into this week's game and we're confident about getting the result.
* Thanks for your support. We are all trying our backsides off. There's good spirit within the playing group which is a credit to Newman as captain.
