For Hoppers Crossing coach Steve Kretiuk, it’s more about how his side performs than whether they get a win.
But the club’s new coach will happily take wins like the one against Port Melbourne Colts at the weekend in Western Region Football League division 1.
In what Kretiuk described as the hardest road trip in the league, the Warriors showed they can match it with the top sides in their 17.17 (119) to 11.7 (73).
“We are going into each game wanting to improve,” the coach said. “As long as we are starting to show improvement, that’s all we worry about.
“On the weekend, we had 75 to 80 per cent of our players contribute … if you have that you will be competitive.”
Kretiuk said that despite being behind at quarter-time, he thought his team was in control from the start.
“It could have gone either way after the first quarter, but the boys didn’t drop their heads and worked hard on getting the win.”
Going into the game, he thought his players were switched on after a disappointing game against St Albans the week before.
“I thought our game was built on our defensive work and our structures,” Kretiuk added.
He nominated former AFL player Wayde Skipper as best on ground, thinking he would only get better after experiencing an interrupted preseason.
And he hoped Western Jets selectors were watching Jackson Viola, who again impressed at full-back.
This week, the Warriors take on Altona, which hammered Yarraville-Seddon 12.16 (88) to 4.5 (29).
“I think it will be a very even contest,” Kretiuk said. “They have a number of quality players, but we are going to prepare well.”
Werribee Districts recorded a comfortable 35-point win against Sunshine, 12.19 (91) to 7.14 (56).
Districts coach Wade Chapman said he was pleased with a 35-point win.
“It was a hard contested game and Sunshine played in a preliminary final last year so we knew it would be a tough game.
“They probably kicked with the wind in the first quarter and weren’t able to use it to its full advantage.
“In the second quarter we were able to kick some goals, but for the third week in a row we couldn’t convert in front of goal.”
Chapman said the Kangaroos came back at them in the third quarter.
“Full credit to Sunshine, they didn’t allow us to run away with the game.
“In the end our pressure around the ball and not allowing them any free space won us the game.”
Jonathon De Pellegrin won the medal for best on ground, while the club’s co-captains Ben Morrow and Matt Dean led from the front.
The Tigers this week face Port Melbourne Colts at home.
