By Nick Creely
SOUTH EAST FOOTBALL LEAGUE
REVIEW – ROUND 13
Beaconsfield certainly showed some pluck, but Narre Warren – led superbly by experience and youth – were just one step ahead as they all but secured the minor premiership on Saturday.
In the eventual 14.15 (99) to 7.8 (50) victory over a depleted Eagles side still missing their spearhead Nathan Langley and competition superstar Scott Meyer, the Magpies continued on their winning ways.
The win was set-up by a dominant first term display, with the Magpies controlling the football, and surging forward with speed.
Stewart Scanlon converted the first major of the day by nailing his set-shot, and from there, the likes of Brad Scalzo through the midfield and young defender Jesse Davies repelling everything inspired a 21-point quarter time lead.
Sheer forward class ensured the Eagles were unable to find a way back into the game despite showing some promising signs, with powerful trio Trent Shinners (four goals), Scanlon (three) and Nick Scanlon (three) putting Leigh McQuillen’s side to the sword over the next three quarters.
Magpies coach Matt Shinners was pleased with elements of the performance, but conceded that they will need to lift their game when they take on Cranbourne this week.
“We probably weren’t as clean this week as compared to last week, and we were a bit patchy – we had a couple of guys coming in because a couple of blokes were available for the VFL, so it’s a bit hard,” he said.
“For those guys to come in and pick up the game style from reserves footy, they probably struggled a bit, but my senior players were really good.
“I’m not going to say we’re absolutely smashing it, but I know that my boys are looking forward to testing ourselves against the other form side in the competition (Cranbourne).
“There’s always room for improvement.”
In another quality performance, young star Ryan Quirk was arguably best afield as he continues to flourish in 2018, complementing the experience of Shinners, Scalzo and Michael Collins perfectly.
“He’s (Quirk) such an underestimated player – he shows a lot of composure and maturity for his age, and that’s what we’re after,” Shinners said.
“None of my boys shy away from asking questions and trying to improve, so they’re always up for more information, and Ryan’s a young kid, and nothing fazes him, and he plays a high level of cricket too, so that holds him with his maturity.”
And big man Trent Shinners was equally impressive in what has been an influential second half of the home and away season, something that excites the coach moving into finals.
“It’s a real shame that in our practice matches that he got injured, so he had a real slow start to the year – it hampered him, but he’s coming back and slowly getting fitter and fitter,” he said.
“He’s been fantastic, and as a key forward he’s been able to share the workload with Nick (Scanlon), Aaron Wilson, Stewie Scanlon and Michael Collins is great, so we’ve got a good even spread down there.”
For the Eagles, Taylor Joyce once again found the goals with three next to his name, while Bailey Morrish showed his trademark dash in a strong performance.
Down at Edwin Flack Reserve, Berwick flexed its muscles to continue to build to its best form ahead of finals against Pakenham, 14.19 (103) to 6.6 (42).
The Wickers were uncharacteristically sloppy in the opening exchanges, failing to score a goal in the opening quarter, allowing the Lions to take a 12-point lead into quarter time.
That defensive game style that has served Ash Green’s side so well this season seemed to be frustrating the Wickers, who couldn’t find their trademark dash at half-back.
A spark – in the form of a cracking goal from Brody Connelly from the arc of 50 – got the Wickers going after being down by 17 points, and the home powered on to slam on a further three goals to wrestle the lead back at the major break.
After half time, the Wickers got back to some of their best football, breaking down the brave Lions to slam on nine goals to two in the third and fourth quarters, with stars such as Harry Money (four goals), Bryce Rutherford, Tim Gunn and Bailey Asher all extremely influential after quarter time.
In what was a day full of promise for the future of the Lions, Darcy Hope and Steve O’Bryan played superb games in a losing cause.
Pakenham has a chance to stay in the finals race when they play host to Officer on Saturday, while Berwick will look to consolidate second spot with an away game against Tooradin-Dalmore.
In the final game of the round, Tooradin-Dalmore kept the door slightly ajar for finals after easily accounting for Doveton, 16.15 (111) to 8.15 (63).
The game was well in the balance at quarter time, but the Seagulls were dominant in the final three quarters, with Andrew Dean starring with four goals and Luke McKenna playing a starring role down back.
Young star Mitch Cotter was once again a shining light for the Doves.
