SFNL: Where Cheltenham will look to improve after its draw with St Paul’s McKinnon

Cheltenham coach Justin Pickering is expecting a lift in personnel and pressure after it played out a draw with St Paul’s McKinnon on Saturday. Here’s why.

Declan McComb takes ahold of the footy. Picture: Andrew Keech

Cheltenham coach Justin Pickering says the Rosellas will “adjust accordingly” to the trend of tight finishes in difficult conditions.

The Rosellas had their first minor blemish on an otherwise perfect season on Saturday when they drew with St Paul’s McKinnon, 4.12 (36) to 5.6 (36).

Cheltenham is yet to lose a Southern league match this year but its slim win over Cranbourne a fortnight ago and draw with the Dogs were both in trying weather.

“That’s the challenge for our playing group, they’ve got to adjust,” Pickering says.

“I have always said ‘a good team in the dry is a good team in the wet’, you don’t lose your skills overnight, you have to try and play your own footy.

“I do think we’ve been a bit too reactive with our opponents, if they’re trying to march it (the ball) up, we’re the best team by a fair way when we turn it over but I think we’ve dropped the ball over those two weeks against Cranbourne and St Paul’s.

“I think we let them dictate too much, so we will reassess leading into the finals and adjust accordingly.

“The good thing is we have 32 players knocking on the door for 22 spots, so if they don’t want to apply the pressure, they’ll be applying it at 12 o’clock rather than 2 o’clock.”

Sean Lai was among Cheltenham's best on Saturday. Picture: Andrew Keech

Saturday’s two points all but cements a top-two finish for Cheltenham, which has just one top-four side left (Springvale Districts) on the run home.

Pickering praised the club’s commitment and depth to be in that position at this stage of the season.

“You play footy to get in that position and hopefully with a couple of rounds to go we’re even more comfortable where we are,” he says.

“There was high expectations at the start of the season from you guys on the periphery but we had high expectations internally as well.

“It’s pleasing to get the runs on the board and be in this position while playing 45 players at round 14, that’s testament to our depth and commitment from the boys.”

Cheltenham is expecting a few significant ins after the bye. Picture: Andrew Keech

Pickering dismissed concerns of the 83-point turnaround since the last matchup between the two sides, calling the previous result misleading.

“From early in the year when they were a little bit undermanned and had some wounded soldiers, the result didn’t show where they were at,” he says.

“You’re deluding yourself if you think you’re 80 points better than your next best opposition in any competition.

“That was certainly not a reflection of where the games will be in the finals.

“We’re confident in our own ability, we’ve got personnel to come in, who I think the bigger grounds will suit.”