Gridiron: Coach Brad Somerville dissects the Mackay Mavericks performances at Christmas break

Discover our analysis of the Mackay Mavericks season to date, as coach Brad Somerville reveals what he has liked about the Mavericks start to the season and where they need to improve.

Coach Brad Somervilles and his Mavericks. Picture: Mackay Gridiron Facebook/Steve McBride.

After coming agonisingly close to claiming last season’s Reef Bowl, the Mackay Mavericks are still the hunt for Regional Queensland Gridiron’s highest honour this season.

Following a shaky start to the season against Cairns, the Mavericks rallied to string together back-to-back wins against Rockhampton, before a heartbreaking single-point loss to Townsville heading into the Christmas break.

With three games to play, the Mavericks are third on the table and in the mix for another finals appearance.

Discover what about the Mavericks has impressed coach Brad Somerville to date, and where he believes his side needs to improve below.

Somerville’s likes

New Talent

“The amount of new guys we’ve got to the sport who have picked it up extremely well, and the old guys who really helped them along and helped to build a family atmosphere at the club,” Somerville said of what’s impressed him about the Mavericks this season.

“Everyone gets around each other, on game days there’s no doubt at all that everyone puts 110% into everything we do.”

The Mavericks in action against Cairns. Picture: Mackay Gridiron Facebook/Steve McBride.

Hard-hitting defence

Despite the early season blip of conceding 50 against Cairns, the Mavericks defence has rallied, with no team managing more than 21 points against them since.

For that reason, Somerville has been particularly impressed by his defence.

“Our defence is hard-hitting, that’s one thing they pride themselves on and the opposition know what they’re coming up against,” he said.

“They’ll hit them all day, and try and get that ball back for the offence.”

Offensive will

Somerville’s offence hit its straps in Mackay’s second fixture against Rockhampton, managing 41 points, but it’s the line’s effort that has impressed the coach the most.

“Our offence goes on that 110% every play mentality,” Somerville said.

“Even the guys on the O-line who are older – late 30s and early 40s – they’re putting 110% into every game and come off the field with nothing left to give.

“They wear their heart on their sleeve and put out for the rest of the team.”

The Mavericks in action against Cairns. Picture: Mackay Gridiron Facebook/Steve McBride.

Somerville’s improvements

Match Awareness

Somerville believes his side has room for improvement when it comes to match awareness.

He said if decision-making and the ability to close out games could be improved, it would go a long way to helping the club secure the Reef Bowl.

The Mavericks are training right through the Christmas break, and he hopes this will bolster the side’s awareness and decision-making.

Fitness

“We were unlucky to get quite a few injuries early on in the season, but those guys are coming back straight after Christmas,” Somerville said.

“Hopefully after Christmas these guys slot straight back in and we can put our best foot forward.”