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LAVINGTON coach James Saker was defiant about the club’s direction after the Panthers yesterday suffered yet another shattering preliminary final loss to Yarrawonga — this one by a solitary point.
Lavington has its past four seasons ended with finals defeat by less than a goal after being in a strong position to win.
Saker said he wouldn’t give up on breaking that hoodoo next year.
“What’s the alternative for us?” he said.
“The alternative is to flick your tail up and bury your head in the sand — our club doesn’t deserve that.
“We’ve got to improve.
“I’m not going to make any bold statements or predictions about how we do that.
“But I’m more scared of the alternative than I am of putting ourselves out there and falling short again.”
Saker understandably struggled to find positives about yesterday’s result but conceded several players had pulled their weight at stages.
Adam Butler and Adam Prior dominated the second quarter when Lavington was on fire but the club was best served over four quarters by reliable veteran Matt Pendergast and emerging ruckman Tom Yensch.
“I thought our forwards gave us every chance of winning the game but our delivery was lacking and our composure was lacking,” Saker said.
“They lifted their work rate and effort and when they turned up the heat — we didn’t handle it.”