Tara Murray
A return to playing with a bit more freedom has paid off for Hillside in the Essendon District Football League division 1 competition.
After two straight losses, including one to top side West Coburg, the Sharks set a focus of getting back to what had worked earlier in the season.
It paid off, with the Sharks coming away with a big win against Craigieburn.
“We so badly needed it obviously after two losses in a row,” he said.
“You can get down at this time of year and it affects the confidence in the boys. We’ve been given some challenges in the last couple of months.
“The boys have been a little bit resistant and afraid of making a mistake. We gave them the freedom to play their natural game.
“We told them not to be afraid to make a mistake and don’t worry about kicking efficiently and the numbers.
“We wanted them to pull the trigger and it paid off.”
Denaro said it resulted in four good quarters of good football and in turn they used the ball really well.
Bailey Ryan, who has been in and out of the side through Victorian Football League commitments, was the main recipient up forward, kicking seven goals.
Denaro said it was good to see Ryan starting to get some reward for effort.
“It’s a funny one with Baz,” he said. “It’s always good to have him back and he’s getting better week in, week out.
“He’s playing just as good as the start of the season, he’s just getting rewarded a bit more. It’s always nice to have a goal kicker like him in the side.”
The return of Ryan was a welcome one, with the Sharks other main goal kicker, Josh Covelli currently playing in the reserves.
Denaro said they were hoping to have last season’s division 1 leading goal kicker back in the side soon.
“Josh has had an extended run in the reserves,” he said. “He had surgery pre-Christmas and then one after Christmas.
“He had a limited pre-season and it has really affected him. He had a go, but he wasn’t right to go and we wanted him to get his body right.
“He has been playing centre half back and had a stint in the ruck and has had a licence to run and have some fun.
“He’s not ready to come back yet, but hopefully we will get him back in the next few weeks, but there’s no rush.”
The Sharks tests continue to come, with a match against Rupertswood on Saturday.
Rupertswood enters the match a game ahead.
Denaro knows it will be a tough race for a finals spot.
“Every game critical and this week against Rupo is a huge game one. We’re taking it week by week and there has been lots of upsets this year.
“Hopefully a couple can go our way and we can pinch a couple.”
