Beveridge blasts Hawks "soft" approach on the glass

It’s not the first time Beveridge has used the term to describe one of his side's performances and it came with a heightened sense of disappointment to have to use it after a grand final game.

It was said almost solely in reference to the hammering the Hawks copped in the rebound column, primarily the 17 offensive boards his side gave up while managing just three in meek response.

The Hawks loss to Adelaide in game one of their semi-final series came on the back of a similar thrashing on the glass and Beveridge was quick to point to the stat-line to describe the performance.

“We were soft, we gave up 17 offensive rebounds so you simply cannot beat most teams, let alone the Wildcats, if you give up 17 offensive rebounds,” Beveridge said.

“We had three. As far as I’m concerned, as a coach in a grand final series, that’s unacceptable.

“They’re a very, very good rebounding team. They get on the glass and we did a very, very poor job.

“They won the possession game. 17 offensive rebounds, we lose by 12, if you halve that and we can win the game. That’s how close the championship’s going to be. 

“We were legitimately in the game there with next to no preparation but it wasn’t good enough. If we can’t rebound, we can’t win. 

“We had guys tapping the ball around against long athletes, particularly like McKay and Prather and you can’t do that. You’ve got to make some contact and that’s why I’m saying we were soft in that area there.

“When we rebound and play the d we can flow into our offence but we just played into the Wildcats hands, shooting crappy shots and living and dying by the perimeter shot.

“It’s just not good enough when it really counted so I’m disappointed.”

With key import Marvelle Harris having flown back to the US for personal reasons, star big-man AJ Ogilvy severely limited by injury, and a schedule that allowed just one pre-game practice session, Beveridge suggested his side lent on some ready-made excuses.

“Our preparation was very, very poor there’s no question about that but as far as I’m concerned that’s an excuse and we’re not interested in that rubbish,” Beveridge said.

“There’s the physical part of the game, and yeah we’re beat up, tired battered and all that but simple things like not blocking out… that’s a mental thing. That’s not tired legs it’s just tired minds.

“There was a contentedness there where we’re playing Perth on their home court, we’re not expected to win, they had six days prep we had a 45-minute session [on Saturday]. We put on a good fight but it’s not good enough. This a grand final series. If you want to be a real champion, you’ve got to find something from within.

“I expect our players to lift [on Wednesday]. We’re not content with just being in a grand final but, if we don’t rebound, it’ll be a [Perth] sweep.”