The Bombers showed they were willing to get physical last night, lifting their intensity to stamp a 43-point win over the Hawks.
Nathan Lovett-Murray said the team had placed extra focus on winning the contested ball and improving their tackling pressure in the lead up to the match and were pleased to see it pay dividends last night.
“It was something that we were really focused on leading into the game,” Lovett-Murray said at recovery this morning.
""The physical pressure that we have needed just hasn’t been there over the past couple of weeks
“Going into the game there was a big emphasis on trying to win the contested ball and our tackling as well.
""Those two areas will be a big focus going forward as well.”
High stakes were on the line with both teams 1-4 going into the match but Lovett-Murray says the Bombers were simply more desperate for the win.
“It was a good win for the boys because we were disappointing last week and have been under the pump a little bit,” he said.
""It was good to come out and play good team football especially against the Hawks.
“We just wanted to focus on two areas – the contested ball and the tackling – and I guess that desperation showed in those areas.”
The win last night keeps the Bombers’ season alive heading into a must-win game against Port Adelaide next Saturday night but Lovett-Murray says the team are not focusing on finals just yet.
“I think we have to take it week by week and see what happens from there,” he said.
“At the start of the season we spoke about the importance of improving as a team week-by-week and that is what we will be focusing on.”
David Hille (rough conduct) and Andrew Welsh (striking) were reported during the match.
