COROWA-Rutherglen coach Bryce Campbell has slammed the Roos’ lack of effort in last week’s shock loss to Wodonga and said it was a timely reminder ahead of today’s crunch clash with Wangaratta Rovers.
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The Bulldogs broke through for their first win of the season with a 20-point boilover against the Roos at John Flower Oval.
Up until last Saturday, the Roos had only lost to Lavington, Albury and Yarrawonga.
“Up until last week, we’d won every game against the teams in and around us,” Campbell said.
“We’d ticked all those boxes and last week was probably our first cross for the year.
“It was disappointing.
“The hunger we displayed was pretty ordinary.
“To Wodonga’s credit, they got their tail up and we were second to the ball all day — it’s a game we want to put behind us.”
While disappointed to lose, former SANFL star Campbell said he hoped it would spur his group.
“It’s definitely a wake-up call for our team,” Campbell said.
“As a coach, that’s not something you want but we didn’t play with our normal competitive spirit.
“Blokes didn’t come with the right attitude — we’re not good enough to do that.
“It was a good reminder, especially with a big game this week, that we need to turn up with the right attitude.”
The Roos have made wholesale changes from last week’s defeat.
Brett Zorzi, Sean Kelly, Hayden Singe, Jason Marks and Damien Wilson all return, with Cade Mills, James O’Connell, Dylan Cook, Kade Wilson and Jake Murphy making way.
Campbell said it was vital the Roos beat the Hawks again, with the pair looking all but certain to square off in the elimination final.
“It’s really important,” Campbell said.
“Another win would give us a lot of confidence.”
