Colts Coach Post Match – Mark Foster Round 1

WHAT South Fremantle coach Mark Foster had to say following the Round 1 REDiMED Colts victory over Subiaco at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Foster discussed the season-opening win over Subiaco and what impressed him in Round 1 including the performances of Ben Sherry and Nic Giarrizzo, and his overall team in what was a tight finish.

QUESTION: It got a bit tight, but always nice to win in Round 1?
ANSWER: It definitely wasn’t a spectacle but Round 1 historically is never great viewing. The nerves of the opening round along with the conditions made it a scrappy game. 
 
Q: After leading all day, Subiaco hit the front before you kicked the last two goals to win which must have been pleasing?
A: Subi made us work for it all day, to their credit they never went away. We had some tired boys late. Our ability to score at the moment is an issue especially when we have momentum which is keeping teams in the game. 
 
Q: Enrique Aiken-Featherstone and Jacob Warne had to step up as leaders without captain Bruno Faulkner?
A: Unfortunately Bruno is still a few weeks away coming back from a serious ankle injury. Enrique and Jacob have stepped in a done a great job. Their training standards and performance’s early have been quality. Enrique was very good at the weekend among one of our best players.   
 
Q: You must have been pleased with Ben Sherry's performance?
A: Ben had a very good pre-season and the weekend’s performance was reward for his hard work. He was very good early but in the last quarter when we were under the pump Ben stood up. 
 
Q: Nic Giarrizzo has come over from the Western Jets and Williamstown, how did you find his first colts game?
A: Nic is a very mature footballer, he sees and understands the game very well. He suffered a groin injury coming into the season so his form will build over the next few weeks but I expect Nic to be an important player for us this year. 
 
Q: Which first-game players exceeded your expectations?
A: We had six first gamers which is quite low for colts level. Glen Byron, Ben Sherry and Kyle Hamersley were among our best which is promising for both them and the program. It’s always difficult to have an impact in your first game, adjusting to the tempo can sometimes take weeks so it was pleasing to see those boys have a big impact in the game.  
 
Q: Must be refreshing as a coach to have a group that are so passionate and appear to enjoy playing together?
A: The leaders have done a very good job of bring the group together, and they enjoy each other’s company. It’s always a challenge at colts to get the group playing team football early and having a group that enjoys playing together definitely helps.   
 
Q: Swans had a good win over Perth last week, any expectations for this Saturday’s game?
A: It should be a really good game, both programs have been competitive over the last few years with Swans having played in the last three finals series so I expect it will be a big challenge to beat them up on their home turf. Swans have a number of players that played games last year so imagine that experience will put them in a strong position. They are definitely one of the sides to beat. This is a game to watch and we hope to see all South Fremantle supporters make the trip out to Bassendean early in the day to see a great game of footy.