Doug Walton

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  ararat.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 7/27/2007    Last Visited: 7/28/2007  

  Rats' joint coach Doug Walton said the home ground advantage would play in the Eagles favour, making the Rats' job a tough one.
  
  The Rats will take a lesson from last week's loss against Stawell Warriors into tomorrow's clash.
  
  Walton said the team stuck to the game plan for most of the game, but a few bad choices and players running out of legs in the last quarter cost them the match.
  
  "They (the players) have to keep being accountable and give 110 per cent effort.They know they can be competitive with any side in the competition as long as they keep to the game plan," Walton said.
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  They put in really solid games," Walton said of the junior players.
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  "He's a real surprise package considering he's only 15," Walton said.
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  "There are a few younger players who will have to be manned up carefully," Walton said.
  
  By setting themselves the challenge of winning, Walton hopes the Rats can return to Ararat with the points tomorrow night.
  
  "If they go about the game as they did last Sunday, showing pride in their jumper and the community, they'll hopefully come back with the points," he said.

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  ararat.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 6/29/2007    Last Visited: 6/29/2007  

  WFL - Ararat Gason Rats joint coach Doug Walton has set a new goal for his Rats - To sneak into the Wimmera Football League top five.
  
  The Rats have this round off with the bye, but Walton now has his sights firmly set on a much better second half of the season from his Rats.
  
  Midway through the season the Rats have notched up two wins, but with the evenness of the competition are just two games out of the top five.
  
  Walton said in the first half of the season the Rats did lose a number of close matches.
  
  "This was a result of our quarter fade outs.If we can continually put together four quarters of football in the second half of the season we can sneak into the top five," Walton said.
  
  The Gason Rats, like many teams, have been hit with their share of injuries, but unfortunately for the Rats these injuries have been to key players.
  
  Joint coach Matt Jackson has missed matches through a groin and of late a calf injury, centre half forward Mick Fratin missed with bruised ribs and Josh Cunningham missed four weeks with an ankle injury, while Doug Walton has been restricted with injury.
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  This of course has allowed a number of talented youngsters to step up and Doug Walton said he has been very impressed with the way these youngsters have performed.
  
  "The good thing is they are getting better each week, with the more games they play.
  
  "We have had eight different kids step up from our under 17s to play, while there are another five who are in their first year out of under 17s playing senior football," Walton said.
  
  He said although the Rats did lack a little experience there was still a core of experienced players in the team.
  
  "We have now set our goals much higher than we did at the start of the season," Walton said.
  
  He said Ararat would continue to use permit players if required.
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  "We are at home and it may allow us to run over the top of them," Walton said.

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  ararat.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 4/5/2007    Last Visited: 4/6/2007  

  Walton's mixed bag
  
  Incoming Ararat senior coach Doug Walton is realistic about his team's prospects in the Wimmera Football League this season.
  
  The tough football veteran spoke to the Ararat Advertiser this week about the effects of a disappointing pre-season and a player walkout, and also about the things he'll do to try and make the most of what he and joint coach Matt Jackson have to work with this year.
  
  "I want us to be a competitive unit," he said.
  
  "We don't have much depth so we'll be relying a lot on guys not getting injured."
  
  He said players will have to rise to the challenge of looking after themselves and making sure they're in their best shape throughout the season.
  
  The Rats have had a less than perfect pre-season with under 20 senior players hitting the training track most nights.
  
  Walton said the lack of numbers made it hard to run full-ground drills and develop tactics for the season but he hasn't let the lack of numbers stop him developing the players' skills.
  
  "We had the balls out from day one, lots of skill work and plenty of running," he said.
  
  The Rats were forced to cancel two practice matches which would have seen Whitehorse Pioneers and Modwarre Football Club bring senior and reserve sides to play at Alexandra Oval and stay for social functions.
  
  Walton said the lack of numbers participating during pre-season made it difficult to justify inviting other clubs to travel all the way to Ararat.
  
  "It would have been great for the club, not just to get some practice but to raise some money," he said.
  
  Much of Ararat's senior side, which finished third on the Wimmera ladder last year, will not play in 2007, however Walton has secured a few handy recruits to fill the void.
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  Walton said drawing a round one bye was of some relief to the team as it will give the Rats a bit more time to prepare.

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  ararat.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/afl/hawks-fly-for-th - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 1/11/2008    Last Visited: 1/11/2008  

  Tatyoon Football Club's 2008 senior coaching team, from left, Tony Campbell, Doug Walton and Andrew Ward look to make it three Mininera and District Football League premiership flags in succession.
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  Tatyoon Football Club's 2008 senior coaching team, from left, Tony Campbell, Doug Walton and Andrew Ward look to make it three Mininera and District Football League premiership flags in succession.
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  Co-coaches Tony Campbell and Doug Walton will lead the Hawks' senior side during 2008 with the assistance of Andrew Ward.
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  Walton coached the Hawks to a grand final in 2005 and a premiership in 2006 and has returned to the club after spending the 2007 season in the Wimmera Football League as senior coach of the Ararat Rats.

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  ararat.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 7/20/2007    Last Visited: 7/20/2007  

  "It is virtually a final for us," Rats' joint coach Doug Walton said this week.
  
  "Our aim this season was to make the final five - It is all starting to slip away from us and now we must string some wins together.For us this clash with Stawell is a final," Walton said.
  
  Even mid-season Walton was predicting the Gason Rats could still be part of the 2007 finals' series.
  
  His prediction became closer to reality when the Rats grabbed an upset win over Minyip-Murtoa, but last week it all turned a little sour again when the Rats were thumped by the Horsham Diggers.
  
  Walton was disappointed with the Gason Rats' effort aginst the Diggers.
  
  "We didn't stick to our game plan and we took it too easy in the first half against a team sitting higher on the ladder," he said.
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  Doug Walton said the rotation of the club's under 17 players at senior level would also continue.
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  He is an important player for us, if we get the ball down to him he either kicks goals or sets up scoring options," Walton said.
  
  Walton said it was vital the Rats held Warriors' match winner Brent Tuckey.
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  Walton said another bonus for the Rats was the fact joint coach Matt Jackson was back in top form.
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  "We will be looking to take it right up to Stawell, knowing that they are one of the real contenders of the competition," Walton said.

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  ararat.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 7/17/2007    Last Visited: 7/17/2007  

  WFL - The Ararat Rats were dealt a huge defeat by Horsham United on Sunday, but Rats' joint coach Doug Walton said the team had played better than when the two teams met earlier in the Wimmera Football League season.
  
  Back in round three, the Rats copped a 92 point thrashing from the Diggers.
  
  "We improved on the scoreboard in a small way," Walton said of the Rats' 84 point loss.
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  Doug Walton said the Rats played "a bit better" in the second half, with players showing more aggression to the ball and playing more competitively.
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  With Shane Clarke, Aiden Bell and Lachie Hamilton available next week, Walton said players will need to train well and demonstrate commitment to the team to hold their place.
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  Walton said the team would "go back to the drawing board" in preparation for next Sunday's clash against Stawell.

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  ararat.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 6/22/2007    Last Visited: 6/22/2007  

  Rats' joint coach Doug Walton is looking for a top performance from his Rats tomorrow.
  
  "There are no excuses this week, we have a home ground advantage and we have a full list with the exception of Matt Jackson, to choose from," Walton said.
  
  Good news for the Rats is that giant ruckman Craig Cooper, who missed the Demons' clash because of work commitments will be back, while Walton, who had restricted game time because of a nagging injury, will also be ready for tomorrow's clash.
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  Walton did say one important factor for the Rats tomorrow was that they commit to four quarters of football.
  
  "This is something we haven't been able to do and given the fact we are not playing one of the stronger teams in the competition, this is an ideal opportunity for us to do so," he said.
  
  Walton said he would also be looking for a lift from some of his senior players, who have been a little down on form of late, to support the continued good form of the younger players.
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  With the season coming to the halfway mark Doug Walton is confident his Rats can win this clash tomorrow.

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  ararat.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 6/8/2007    Last Visited: 6/8/2007  

  Rats' joint coach Doug Walton said he expected his young Rats to be competitive against the Roos.
  
  "The thing is we can't afford to have fade outs at any stage as we did against Nhill," he said.
  
  Walton said despite being beaten he was happy with the performance of the young Rats at Nhill.
  
  "They never gave up and showed a real will to win.They showed the same endeavour as the previous week," he said.
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  Doug Walton said Jsckson would be rested tomorrow.
  
  "We have Horsham the following week and we don't want to turn a one week injury into a three or four week injury," he said.
  
  Walton said it was likely talented under 17 youngster Luke Toomey would be recalled for senior duties to replace Jackson.
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  "The group of youngsters we have are getting better every week and as they gain experience, they will not be dropping off, they get to realise they must play for four quarters," Walton said.
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  Doug Walton said Fratin was to undergo a fitness test last night before any decision would be made as to his availability for tomorrow's clash.

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  ararat.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 6/1/2007    Last Visited: 6/1/2007  

  Rats' coach Doug Walton admitted the loss of Cooper is a big one.
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  Walton said another youngster may also be given an opportunity.
  
  He said he was extremely pleased with the effort of the Rats' younger players in the win over the Warrack Eagles.
  
  "They started the season a little slow, but they are now performing well at the higher level."
  
  The youngsters will be looking to repeat their efforts tomorrow to add support to the experienced brigade of Doug Walton, Matt Jackson, Dale Bligh, Mick Fratin and Dennis Bell.
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  Doug Walton admitted the Rats have been troubled in the past after making the long trek to Nhill.
  
  "Even with strong teams, travelling up there by bus or car and then playing can have an affect.
  
  "That's football, this is just another challenge for us.If all of our players can come out and play a good brand of football we are a chance," Walton said.

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  ararat.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 5/7/2007    Last Visited: 5/7/2007  

  Missed opportunities would have haunted Ararat coaches Doug Walton and Matt Jackson on Sunday night after their side copped a 92-point thrashing from Horsham United in the Wimmera Football League.

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