NBL1 2019: Frankston Blues slump to 1-4 after being overrun by Dandenong

Frankston Blues coach Andrew Harms is backing his side to turn things around after a slow start to the NBL1 season.

Frankston Blues captain Igor Hadziomerovic has been in terrific form in the opening month of ther NBL1 season.

Frankston Blues coach Andrew Harms is backing his side to turn things around after it slumped to its fourth loss in five games on Wednesday night.

After leading by four points at halftime, the Blues lost to Dandenong 85-74 in the annual Anzac Day Eve game at Frankston stadium.

The Blues have lost to Waverley, Melbourne, Bendigo and Dandenong in the opening four weeks of the season but Harms is staying positive.

“We don’t see the season slipping away,’’ he said.

“We want to be picking up wins and we want to start with that on Saturday (against Nunawading) but for us it’s just focusing on making sure that we can control what we can control …if we can take care of that then that win-loss total will start going our way.’’

Damon Bozeman in action for the Blues.

Harms said Frankston was sorely missing last season’s league’s leading scorer and rebounder Dan Trist, who is currently playing with Caceres in the Spanish second division.

Trist will return to the Blues in a fortnight.

“That has an effect in terms of the way in which we try and balance our squad,’’ Harms said.

“We’ve been playing guys out of position and been really competitive and had chances to win games, we just haven’t been able to execute for four full quarters to date.’’

Frankston was held to only 11 points in the third quarter as Dandenong surged to the front. The visitors outscored the Blues 45 to 30 in the second half.

Najeal Young top scored for the Blues with 22 points, while captain Igor Hadziomerovic (16) and Damon Bozeman (13) were also in double figures.

Harms said the Blues were lacking a big man inside.

“We are down a big so the challenge for us is playing smaller guys in bigger positions,’’ he said.

“Last night one of their four men (Keli Leaupepe) came out and had 25 points and nine rebounds and we struggled to keep him off the offensive glass.

“You bring in a guy like Dan Trist and he puts balance back into our line-up and that gives us better chances going into games.’’

Trist will be available for the Blues for the last 13 games.

Harms said the form of Frankston captain Igor Hadziomerovic had been a positive. “He’s putting his hand to be back in NBL,’’ he said.