By David Nagel
BANG…bang, bang, bang…bang, bang – Gunn shots have rang out across Edwin Flack Reserve as a stunning third-quarter burst led Berwick to a 34-point victory over Beaconsfield in the South East Football Netball League match of the day.
An incredible, six-goal, third quarter onslaught from Berwick half-forward Tim Gunn, proved the difference in a Battle of the Creek that lived up to all the hype.
Gunn finished the day with seven, but it was his extraordinary third quarter, where right foot snaps, set shots, left foot snaps, you name it…provided one of the defining moments of the season.
“I’ve seen onballers have quarters like that, but for a half-forward flanker to come out and play that sort of quarter, that’s the best I’ve seen at local level,” said Berwick coach Rhys Nisbet.
The most impressive thing for the Wickers, as a team, was the way they were able to break open a contest that looked like being an arm-wrestle at half time.
The Wickers led by a straight kick, 4.5(29) to 3.5(23) at the main break, and looked in for a fight after Troy McDermott squared the ledger just two minutes into the third quarter.
But Gunn’s heroics and all over the ground pressure from the Wickers, proved the boys from Edwin Flack are the team to beat for this year’s crown. Berwick took Beaconsfield’s best shot, and then raised the pressure gauge to new levels.
“That was the most impressive thing, and something we pride ourselves on, that we were able to lift the tackling intensity in the second half,” Nisbet said.
“Those goals in the third quarter were the direct result of our pressure all over the ground.”
The Wickers kicked 7.2 to 1.2 in the third term to lead by a 42 points at the final break and held firm for a famous victory.
Jimmy Phillips toiled hard against Beaconsfield champion Scott Meyer in the ruck, while Tom Brennan and Jake Yields were other stand-out performers for the winners.
Jordan Stewart was sensational for the Eagles, keeping Berwick danger-man Mitch Johnson goalless for the afternoon, while interleague full-back Daniel Battaglin went off with a knee injury in the first term.
Doveton’s finals hopes are still alive after a come-from-behind victory over Pakenham at Toomuc Reserve.
The Doves, who trailed at the first three changes, kicked 6.6 to 0.2 in the final term to grab a 34-point victory, and a one-game break over the Lions in fifth-place on the ladder.
The win came at a cost however, with Frank D’Agostino (dislocated shoulder), Aaron Henwood (ankle) and Michael Henry (hand) all in doubt for this week’s clash against Narre Warren.
Doves’ coach Shannon Henwood told his players after the game that the win sort of summed up their season.
“Our season’s been the same as that game, up and down, we probably didn’t work hard enough when we should have but, to our credit, we fought back and won by five goals and it could quite easily have been by seven or eight,” Henwood said after the match, before looking ahead to a challenging run against Narre Warren, Berwick and Cranbourne.
“We know our finishes, our last quarters, are our best, and we proved that again today. It’s really important that we enjoy the win, enjoy tonight, but then the reality has to set in pretty quickly. Let’s win one more of these last three, and we’re in. And there’s no reason why we can’t do it.”
Ruckman Russell Gabriel was terrific in his comeback for the Doves, while Simon Black chimed in with three goals and Jake Dermott was a star around the ground.
Cory Lenders and Stephen Morey were best for the Lions.
Narre Warren full-forward Kerem Baskaya has returned to his best form, kicking nine goals in the Magpies’ 127-point demolition of Tooradin at Westernport Oval.
Big-Bas kicked three times more than the Seagulls did for the match, the home side unable to break free of a Magpies’ line-up that had a point to prove after last week’s loss to Berwick.
George Angelopoulos and Matt Lee were terrific for the Magpies while Rory Hillis stuck to his guns for the disappointing Seagulls.
In the final game of round 14, Cranbourne did as it liked on its way to an 81-point victory over ROC at Starling Road.
ROC outscored the Eagles in the third term, 3.2 to 3.0, but could manage just 1.4 for the remainder of the contest.
Marc Holt kicked six, and Michael Theodoridis and Curtis Barker three each for the Eagles who now battle for top-spot with Berwick in this week’s match of the day at Casey Fields.
The league’s best defender, Brandon Osborne, was once again impenetrable down back.
Hampton Park had the bye.
LADDER: Berwick 48, Cranbourne 48, Beaconsfield 44, Narre Warren 40, Doveton 36, Pakenham 32, ROC 12, Tooradin 12, Hampton Park 8.
THIS WEEK: Doveton v Narre Warren, Beaconsfield v Pakenham, Cranbourne v Berwick, ROC v Hampton Park. Tooradin – Bye.
