By David Nagel
Berwick had eight shots at goal in the first and last quarters against Officer at Starling Road on Saturday – but the difference in impact was quite amazing in its 31-point victory that takes it to the precipice of the perfect season.
The Wickers kicked 1.7 in the first term, squandering opportunities and allowing a plucky Kangaroos outfit to get a foot-hold in the contest. And, as many teams have discovered over the years, if you can’t put the Kangas away early on their home deck they can be a real pest to shake.
The Kangaroos played a desperate and disciplined brand of footy over the next two quarters – dodging a few bullets along the way – to stop a dangerous opponent from breaking free.
And when talented youngster Jesse Longmuir converted from the top of the goal-square, at the 21-minute mark of the third term, an upset looked on the cards – the Kangas 10-points ahead, 5.6 to 2.14.
Gut-running defender Luke Sheppard provided the perfect answer a short time later, but the Wickers still trailed by four points at the final break.
They would have eight more scoring shots in the final term – but kicked 7.1 in a brutal reminder of their scoring power.
Tom Brennan dribbled one through to give the Wickers the lead after four minutes before two great marks resulted in goals to the elusive Harry Money. And when Lucas Jellyman-Turner and Jake McLardy both converted set shots, the game was effectively over as a contest.
“We nearly pulled it off, the boys will be disappointed but I’m very proud of their effort,” said outgoing president Barry O’Loughlin.
“They had to get desperate Berwick, they had too much class in the end but we made them work for it.”
If anyone knows anything about hard work its O’Loughlin, who is standing down after a three-year stint that has seen the club change its name, host two grand finals and add a women’s side to its growing portfolio.
“My focus was to get the club out there, change that attitude of being a sleepy hollow and I think we’ve achieved that in some regard,” O’Loughlin said.
“A lot of football clubs just talk about doing things but I wanted us to be different, to just do it and make things happen. I’m happy with the way things have gone; I just wish the improvement was a bit more rapid on-field.”
O’Loughlin, who will hand over the reins to Nick McLennan, will still be around the club but won’t stand for a position on the committee. He wanted to thank the club in general for its support, but praised one man in particular.
“I’d like to thank Frank Wyatt, because I was an outsider when I came in and he really opened the door and allowed me in,” O’Loughlin said.
“He understands the club and explained to me who fitted in where, he’s a thorough gentlemen who will be very hard to replace when he moves on.”
Let’s get back to the footy.
Berwick’s backline really stood tall when the pressure was on in the second half with Sheppard, Ash Smith and Will Arthurson providing plenty of drive from half back. Madi Andrews and Bailey Asher were prominent through the midfield and Money’s three goals were crucially important in the context of the game.
For the Kangaroos, the lively pairing of James Canty and Luke Smaluch was important, while Daniel Ellett stuck to his guns well in a tagging role on Andrews. And Ben O’Loughlin and James Waldon finished consistent seasons with a typically high amount of endeavour.
The Kangaroos can put their feet up now, finished for the season with a Round 18 bye, while the Wickers face a tough test against Beaconsfield before the luxury of a week’s rest in the first week of the finals.
OFFICER SFC 1.4 2.6 5.6 6.8(44)
BERWICK 1.7 2.10 3.14 10.15(75)
Officer SFC Goals: C. Larosa, L. Smaluch, J. Longmuir, J. Ingaliso, B. Tivendale, S. Roach. Best: J. Canty, L. Smaluch, D. Ellett, M. Rogers, B. O’Loughlin, J. Waldon.
Berwick Goals: H. Money 3, J. McLardy 2, L. Sheppard 2, T. Gunn, T. Brennan, L. Jellyman-Turner. Best: L. Sheppard, M. Andrews, J. McLardy, A. Smith, W. Arthurson, B. Asher.
