Old Scotch makes it four wins in a row after beating University Blacks

When Old Scotch was taught “a lesson in pressure” by the VAFA ladder leader earlier this season, coach Mark Gnatt was open and honest with his players. We go inside the response.

Old Scotch’s Henry Brown. Picture: Andy Brownbill

An “honest feedback session” is proving pivotal in Old Scotch’s recent run of form according to coach Mark Gnatt.

When ladder leader Old Brighton got the better of the Cardinals by 26 points in round six, Gnatt and his coaching staff were left frustrated by what they had seen.

“They gave us a lesson in what pressure looked like,” Gnatt said.

A two-point loss to St Kevins followed before the start of a four-game winning run heading into the double bye highlighted by the weekend’s win over University Blacks, 7.16 (58) to 6.7 (43).

“We had an honest feedback session after the Old Brighton game and I thought our response against St Kevins was very good although we didn’t come away with the win in a very good game of footy,” Gnatt said.

“We put a real focus on our defensive efforts and tackle count. To their credit, the boys have responded really well and are doing everything we’ve asked of them since.”

Saturday’s 15-point win was exactly the type of footy, the Cardinals had been playing — tough and contested.

“Given the wet conditions, it was the type of footy Uni Blacks like to play as well. It was just a matter who could make the most of the territory game,” the Old Scotch mentor said.

Trailing by seven points at the final break, Gnatt asked his team to dig deep and he was proud of their “resilience”.

“I always felt we were close enough, it was just a matter of continuing to grind away,” he said.

“The key was winning the territory battle which we were able to do.”

Andy Jelbart, Will Clark, Lachlan Johnson, Jack Lipscombe, Brodie Easton and Charlie Jackson were named in Old Scotch’s better players.