Tooradin coach Tom Hallinan addresses his players at quarter ime in the clash with Berwick. The Seagulls have built some real spirit with some close victories to start the season. 82938: Picture: DONNA OATES
TOORADIN coach Tom Hallinan doesn’t know what all the fuss is about. A season of one-sided contests in Casey Cardinia Football just doesn’t ring true for the man with the Midas touch in 2012.
Hallinan and his Seagulls are enjoying one of those seasons that all the tea in China can’t buy, character building, spirit lifting wins that even the pace-setters, Cranbourne and Narre Warren, can’t match.
The combined margin of the Seagulls’ five wins this season totals 49, with Saturday’s three point win over Berwick following on from seven, 10, 12 and 17-point wins earlier in the season. The odds on the Seagulls going all the way are huge, but if you judge success on the many other factors that make a season memorable, then these blokes are way out in front. They’re the envy of all others.
“This team has belief, this team knows how to win, and our aim is to play finals,” Hallinan said after the match, proudly steering away from the time-honoured tradition of not mentioning the “F” word mid season.
“The players have control, it’s not a case of a new coach coming in and waving a magic wand, no way, it’s definitely player-driven.
“Training has really improved, numbers are up and it’s helping us see out games. It’s the direction we want the club to be heading in and how far it takes us is up to the playing group.”
Hallinan dodges any praise and acknowledges that luck plays a part, but tactically the Seagulls were good after a slow start against Berwick. The Seagulls started with a half-forward playing as a fifth mid-fielder, but it was tactic that didn’t work with Berwick veteran Andrew Tuck controlling half-back and setting up several attacks for the visitors, but Hallinan responded at quarter time.
“Tuck’s ability to read the play hurt us so Aaron Laing went onto him and he played that role to perfection, he reduced Tuck’s influence,” he said.
“We had other blokes who played roles throughout the day, but at three-quarter time it all came down to a level of heart and soul, that was the defining factor and what makes me extremely proud of the whole group.”
Hallinan heaped praise on Jake O’Donnell and his ability to find space and also the efforts of Ryan White, who played a bottler through the mid-field in his return game for the club.
Berwick coach Dean Rice had the look of a man, who couldn’t believe what had just happened as he left the ground.
“I just don’t know how we lost the game,” Rice said.
“We led all day, played the better footy, but lost, I don’t know.”
Maybe, he needs to rub the top of Tom Hallinan’s head for good luck; he’s the man with the Midas touch.
