By DAVID NAGEL
Nepean League
CRANBOURNE 2011 premiership heroes coach Doug Koop and star half-forward Justin Berry were reacquainted on Saturday as Koop’s Dromana rolled Berry’s Hastings by one-point in a Nepean league thriller at Beach Street.
It was a score-line that had more than a touch of déjà vu for the pair, who consoled each other as Eagles after last year’s one-point CCFL grand final loss to Narre Warren.
A strong breeze blowing off Port Phillip Bay made executing skills difficult but, after an even first term, it was Koop’s top-of-the-table Tigers who kicked clear in the second quarter. The home-side kicked 4.2 to 0.5 to take a 19-point lead into half time before Berry’s move forward saw the Blues respond.
Berry kicked two for the quarter as the visitors kicked 5.5 to 1.4 to take a six-point lead to the final change. A goal to Anthony Bruhn was the only goal of the final term and saw the Tigers hold on by the barest possible margin.
“He’s still got his magic, he’s still got the shimmy and he’s still dangerous,” Koop said of his former charge.
Full-back Jay Neratzoglou was outstanding for the winners while Berry and Col McVeigh were best for the Blues.
Devon Meadows’ losing streak has stretched to six after the Panthers ran out of steam on their way to a 56-point loss to second-placed Red Hill at the showgrounds.
The Panthers, who trailed by just 11 points at the main break, managed just a solitary point in the second half as the Hillmen ran away with the contest.
Pearcedale was jumped by Rye, who held onto its five-goal quarter time margin pretty much all the way through to the final siren at Tractor Park. Pat Heijden kicked three for the Dales while Troy Jacobson and Matthew White were also thorns in the Demons’ side.
In other games, Crib Point came from behind to defeat Rosebud; Frankston Bombers did likewise against Somerville while Sorrento gave Tyabb a 119-point thrashing at McFarlane Reserve.
Pearcedale this week travel to Rosebud and Devon Meadows host Crib Point before the two teams meet at Tractor Park in Round 12.
