SFNL: Mordialloc is hoping Saturday’s win can kick start its season

Mordialloc coach Brendon Moore is confident his side will be able to compete with the competition’s best once they gel together. See why.

Mitch Brown playing in Southern Division 1 for Mordi

Mordialloc coach Brendon Moore has encouraged his group to stay patient as it makes its way back from a 0-3 start to the season.

The Bloodhounds had 10 new players when it faced Springvale Districts in Round 1, lost a tight contest with St Paul’s McKinnon in Round 2 and were beaten by St Kilda City in Round 3.

But Moore’s men got the ball rolling in Round 4 against Chelsea Heights, singing the song for the first time in 2023 after the 10.9 (69) to 7.9 (51) victory.

Moore is confident last Saturday’s win is the start of a more promising patch of footy as his group begins to “gel”.

“Our effort is there, we’re not using the ball as well as we should but also, in Round 1 we had 10 new players in the side, so I think it’s going to take some time to gel,” he said.

“We’re getting the ball which is right but our connection between midfielders and forwards has to improve at this stage.

“They’re well aware of it, a lot of the players that have come in are old enough and have been around footy long enough to realise that it’ll take time.

“They (the playing group) can see that there are positive things there, so it gives us something to work from.”

Mitch Brown of Mordialloc.Picture: Hamish Blair

While Moore is optimistic for his side, he is aware of the run ahead that includes Dingley this week, Bentleigh, Cheltenham and Cranbourne.

“We have to work hard at getting our game right,” he said.

“We show the opposition respect and put work into them, but we need to focus on our footy.

“We want to be hard to play against, which is something we sometimes aren’t.

“We need to start beating them (contenders), it can give you a lot of positivity around the club.

“But the numbers at training have been really good, which has been a concern over the years, and our numbers in the reserves – even though they’re struggling – have been really good.”

Midfielder Ethan Wright – who suffered a shoulder injury in Round 2 – will not return for another two weeks.

The Bloodhounds take on Dingley – a side that has won three matches on the spin – this Saturday at Souter Oval.

Elsewhere Southern Division 1, Chelsea Heights host St Kilda City, Cranbourne travel to St Paul’s McKinnon and Bentleigh will look to claim its first win of the year when it welcomes Springvale Districts.