With its ledger square after a challenging open month to the season, Bannockburn coach Ron Pilgrim is now eyeing another scalp for his much-improved outfit.
After producing what was, in terms of ladder position and win-loss record, the club’s worst result since finishing ninth with five wins in 2005, the Tigers copped arguably the toughest start to this season,
It includes four of last year’s finalists in the opening six weeks, courtesy of the rolling draw, as well as away meetings with Werribee Centrals and Inverleigh.
Pilgrims’ men fell short of the Centurions in Round 2, but had the better of the Hawks on Anzac Day (Round 3), while losing to reigning premier North Geelong to open their campaign.
However, a 46-point win over preliminary finalist Bell Post Hill following the Inverleigh win has Bannockburn confident going into the final fortnight of the opening six rounds, which sees the Tigers at Richmond Crescent to face East Geelong this week, followed by another away game at Belmont Lions.
However, Pilgrim isn’t looking past the clash with the Eagles, who bounced back from a fifth straight loss to North by taking care of business against Winchelsea.
“East Geelong have been a bit stiff the last couple of years; haven’t quite got the job done at the end,” he said.
“But they’ve probably been the best side in the comp for the last three years.
“They’re still going to be up there, mate. They’re a good team. They’re well coached. They’ve got a very good game plan.
“It’s going to be another big test for us.”
Bannockburn was one of the GDFNL’s more active clubs on the recruiting front when it came to recruiting, and names like Jackson Gorman (Bell Park) and Henry Hawker (Leopold) are already having an impact.
Gorman has settled into a role as a rebounding defender, while Hawker’s workrate as a forward is among the best in the competition, on top of kicking 10 goals, to sit equal-fifth in the Tyquin Medal chase.
“Jacko played a fair bit of senior footy at Bell Park, and we’re playing him in a similar role across the halfback line, but his skills are first class, mate,” Pilgrim said.
“He’s had a really good start to the year.
“Henry’s played across half-forward and that’s one area last year, in between the arcs, we really struggled.
“And I think that’s why we lost a lot of those close games because our forward entries… the ball would go in and ping straight back out.
“Having him running across the half-forward line definitely helps.”
The return of 2021 Whitley medallist and former co-coach Jack Brauman has also been crucial, with a move into the midfield in the past fortnight coinciding with Bannockburn’s consecutive victories.
However, Pilgrim says his value is not just kicks, marks and handballs.
“Just conferring with him at the breaks with what’s going on, and he holds the boys accountable out on the ground,” Pilgrim said.
“As a coach, you can only give direction. But when they’re out there, it’s up to them.
We know how good a footballer he’s been, and it’s more the leadership he shows out there.”
X: @krockfootball
