SWFL 2023: Eaton league coach Chris Kinninmont is determined to stare early adversity in the face

Eaton league coach Chris Kinninmont loves a good analogy, irrespective of whether the situation is positive or negative.

One of his favourites as a coach is “driving the bus” — with the fixture a map of all the places both he and the players need to stop off at during the season.

Saturday’s 23.21 (159) to 2.2 (14) loss against Busselton at Sir Stewart Bovell Park was the equivalent of the bus blowing out all its tyres.

However Kinninmont, figuratively and literally, is prepared to help fix the problem and get the team back on the road.

“Obviously, we were disappointed with the result,” he said.

“We asked the players for a bit more effort compared to the previous week against Donnybrook. I feel we certainly showed it in the first quarter against Busselton, despite not scoring.

“I thought our tackling pressure was pretty brutal — unfortunately, they broke these great tackles with handballs and their running power was fantastic.

“We certainly had our pants pulled down.”

Those who know Kinninmont well are well-versed on his tenacity to solve problems and get the best out of anyone, which the first-year league coach aims to do for the remainder of the year.

“It’s about remaining positive and keeping the boys together now,” he said.

“We have a tough three to four weeks ahead of us after Easter, so it isn’t going to get any easier.

“We need to keep ensuring the football club is a fun place to come to. I am also looking forward to helping develop some of the young kids in the colts.”