Dimboola coach Stuart Farr warns: ‘Don’t write us off’ after slow start to season

THREE losses to start the season is hardly cause for panic, according to Dimboola coach Stuart Farr.

dimboola win

THREE losses to start the season is hardly cause for panic, according to Dimboola coach Stuart Farr.

The Roos broke their 28-year Wimmera Football League flag drought last season with a 56-point grand final win over the Horsham Saints, but their premiership defence is off to a less than ideal start.

A horror early season fixture combined with lacklustre performances has seen Dimboola fall short against fellow flag contenders in the Saints, Minyip-Murtoa and Warrack Eagles in recent weeks.

Although he conceded his players had “dropped their guard” over the pre-season, Farr was not ready to rule his side out of premiership contention ahead of their clash with his old side Horsham this weekend.

“The competition is a lot more even this year, but there is no doubt we have been disappointing,” Farr said.

“I think it is fair to say a few players did probably get ahead of themselves and underestimated how quickly the game has sped up in this competition in the past 12 months.

“Having said that though, there is absolutely no need for panic stations just yet and I am very confident we will have our season back on track in the coming weeks.”

If there is one man to lead Dimboola out of their form slump, Farr is that man.

He played in nine of Horsham’s record 10 consecutive Wimmera league premierships, coaching the most recent seven from 2006-12, before being sensationally axed by the club.

He then guided the Roos to a flag in his first season at the helm last year.

Farr’s exceptional record is just one reason he believes Dimboola remains a premiership force to be reckoned with.

“I’m very confident with the message I’m delivering to the group and the direction we are heading,” he said.

“We just have to become more consistent with our training and more consistent with our efforts over four quarters and the results will come.”

While the Roos are winless, Ararat and Horsham have launched their seasons with flying colours and remain undefeated at the top of the eight-team Wimmera ladder.