THESE days, there would be few things more sacred to a team and its culture than the group chat.<\/p>\n
And the Ararat Rats are no different.<\/p>\n
But beneath the surface of the banter and memes lies a weekly exercise completed in an off-shoot defenders\u2019 group, which has helped create an unbreakable bond among the competition\u2019s best back-line.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe defenders have our own little communication group and after every game we rate each other\u2019s performances out of five and why we think that. We have a little most selfless defender award every week between us and its something we really embrace,\u201d key defender Liam Cavanagh said.<\/p>\n
In addition to providing feedback, the defenders\u2019 group chat is one which celebrates acts completed in football\u2019s least appreciated third.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe work really hard to celebrate each other and we make sure the things we celebrate, like spoils and one per centers, are as loud as it can possibly be. I think that\u2019s translated to the belief and trust we have as a back six,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe really believe as long as we tick all the right boxes and hit the KPIs that, there\u2019s not really a forward line that can go with our backline.\u201d<\/p>\n
And, so far, this has been failed to be proven otherwise.<\/p>\n
Ararat conceded the least amount of points this season, with the Rats only conceding over 80 twice this year.<\/p>\n
The rapport built throughout the season, both on-and-off the group chat, between the defenders is something fellow backman Aaron Pianta identifies as a pivotal factor to the group\u2019s success.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe love each other down there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I like about it is we play to each other\u2019s strengths and help each other out. There\u2019s no criticism and we know all our roles and what we can all do. Having that confidence in each other to go out every week knowing that everyone is playing their role and doing their job is really special.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou take the feedback [from the group chat] on board from the Saturday night and then go to work on things on the Tuesday and Thursday night. It\u2019s to get the best out of each other and working on how we can get better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pianta is only one of a handful of Rats players to have previously played in a Grand Final, after reaching the final day as a Moyston-Willaura player back in 2014.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about just soaking it up and enjoying every minute of it because they\u2019re so rare,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy last one was eight years ago and I think I\u2019ve played in a few finals but nothing beats Grand Final week and playing in that Grand Final.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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