What are your impressions of the game against the Vukovi?
Richard Bonds: This was the closest and the toughest game by fare I have been involved in with the Wild Boars. 2012 Championship was tight most of the games but not like this and as I can remember the closest between the two teams in history. We had every opportunity to win this game, but what we take out of it is that we see where we are. Even though we made several mistakes there is only room for improvement. One is definitely the kicking game which players have to take more seriously. The other thing is, this is a different team, different schemes on every unit, offense, defense and special teams and we still have room to get better.
The toughest thing about it is we have to learn to finish games, close or otherwise. Yes, this was our second game, no, we did not have test matches or scrimmages, but the season’s on and we have to play better and better each week. Much better than we did on past Saturday with any team we play and not just Vukovi. Hats off to Vukovi as usual they are talented team, and this year will be tighter than ever before in the CEFL and SAAF. I like games like this, because they test players and you really see who the big time players are in big situations against top notch opponents. The next one on Cika Daca should be a show to remember and home field advantage has to be a factor for us, so I really hope the fans come out in the thousands.
Do you have problems with injuries?
Richard Bonds: As far as injuries, nothing that will end their season but a few game related injuries. I think all will recover from their injuries and be back on the field 100%. Our center Milan Pavlovic rolled his ankle by stepping on his QB’s foot near the end of the game, wide receiver Nikola Simovic rolled his ankle pulling up from a pass route, wide receiver Filip Nedeljkovic had a more serious injury with a compound fracture of his small pinky finger, defensive end Milorad Novakovic had a shoulder injury, but neither of the last two has skipped a beat in training and still are working out and running routes, plays, drills and staying sharp. All other injuring are turf burns, bumps and bruises. This was a physical and hard hitting game. But we have managed so far to stay away from the serious stuff.
What do you expect from the next game?
Richard Bonds: Our next game is against the Docler Wolves of Budapest and we travel there. The toughest thing to do is as a team you come off a big game like last week is that you don’t get up for the next game so a lesser talented team comes away with an upset win because you are flat the next game. We have prepared for Budapest the same as we did for Vukovi, so there are less mistakes and we can return with a victory. But we have to take one game at a time and not over-look any opponent!