IT was another challenging Saturday for Dederang-Mount Beauty footballers at the weekend when they came up against a rampaging Barnawartha, suffering a 152 point loss, 28.21 to 6.1. But despite the scoreline, co-coach Tom McGhee was full of praise for his players. "The result wasn't ideal but there were still some improvements on last week," McGhee said. "We kicked five more goals for a start and the effort around the ball was there. "The team battled hard all day and didn't give up which really pleasing. "We knew at the start of the season it was going to be tough this year but that said, I don't think the scoreboard over the last two weeks has really reflected how we are playing." He said the side was missing a few key players last week including two late withdrawals but several players stepped up bravely to fill the holes. "My co-coach Jaydn (Chalmers) really cracked in all day as you expect him to and one of our recruits, Matt Paddle, spent 90 per cent of the match in the midfield and battled it out all day, he just doesn't give up," McGhee said. "Hopefully, with a few more players coming in next week, he can be just as dangerous in other areas. "The same with Sam Creamer, he's been filling in at fullback and gives it his all and never drops his head. "You can't fault the endeavour and the spirit of the players." McGhee said he expected Rhys Cook as one of the 'ins' this week, along with Ben Rigoni at fullback, Trent Barton in the ruck, Michael Webb at centre half forward, and back flanker William Webb. An influx of key players makes the outlook appear more promising this week up against the winless Wahgunyah, although McGhee said you could never take the win for granted. "They'll be thinking the same, that this will be their best chance of a win so far so we know we'll have to really fight for it," he said. "We have a great group of boys and we will continue to really focus on enjoying our football and getting something out of each game." It was equally slim pickings in other football grades except for the Under 14s who scored another impressive win, taking the points 14.26 to no score.
