By Nick Creely
OUTER EAST FOOTBALL
PREMIER DIVISION REVIEW – ROUND 13
On the surface, a 34-point win doesn’t appear to be anything special.
But it was the manner in which Berwick knocked over the in-form Beaconsfield that was just so impressive.
Whether it’s with their backs against the wall, in the driving rain, or with sunny and dry conditions, the Wickers just always have that extra gear to their game. Its why – despite the improvement of Narre Warren and Beaconsfield, as well as the threat provided by Woori Yallock, Wandin and even Cranbourne – this champion side is still the one to beat this season.
Despite appearing to have settled the quicker of the two sides down at Edwin Flack Reserve on Saturday, Leigh McQuillen’s Eagles got the early break after a cracking goal in traffic from Kyle O’Sullivan saw the visitors push in front and take in a six-point lead at quarter time.
Even though Ash Smith’s drive was providing a headache, and the likes of Jo West, Harry Money and Jesse Cirulis started strong, the visitors’ miserly defence was on top.
Early in the second quarter, the Eagles managed to extend its margin to two-goals, before a piece of magic from one of the competition’s superstars got the home side up and about.
Travis Tuck – who had a quiet start to the game – snapped the ball in heavy traffic from almost the paint of 50, kick starting a blistering run from the champs that saw them take control and punish the Eagles on turnover.
When Harry Money calmly slotted his third goal midway through the second term to drag the lead out to 18 points, the Wickers had quickly wrestled back control with five unanswered goals in a matter of 15 minutes.
Another further two goals before half-time basically put the game to bed, with Rhys Nisbet’s electric side walking into the main break with a 29-point lead after a goal on the siren.
Despite the Eagles continuing to try and take on the corridor, the sheer class and pressure applied by the home side proved too hot to handle, with a James Magner goal after the three quarter time siren putting to bed any chance of a late comeback.
Running out 11.8 (74) to 5.10 (40) winners in what was a lacklustre final term, the Wickers fired a warning shot for all opposition clubs to be wary of.
Nick Hillard was simply sublime for the Wickers in a class display, Luke Jellyman-Turner’s run off half-back was electric, while Harry Money’s class and goal sense was on display once more with another three majors to take his tally to 46 for the year. Youngster Nick Green – playing just his third senior game – was very impressive, and kicked a nice goal.
The win was made all the more impressive considering stars such as Tuck, Madi Andrews, James Magner and Trent Thomas were relatively well-held, while the Wickers were also missing damaging forward Tim Gunn.
For the Eagles, who have now lost their past two matches despite being in winning positions, Corey Walker was excellent in the back half and soaked up a lot of pressure, while Jake Bowd provided his usually drive.
Wandin’s tremendous turnaround in 2019 also continued on Saturday against Cranbourne, surging into the top five and displacing the Eagles from fifth spot as a result.
The Dogs and Eagles fought out a fascinating battle at The Kennel, with the home side holding on in a tense final term, 12.20 (92) to 13.11 (89).
In particular, the Dogs surged ahead with an excellent final half, motoring back from 20 points down at the major break to wrestle back momentum thereafter.
Once again, Rohan Heasley was crucial for the home side, while Michael Fowkes, Mark Sandfort and David Barton were all named in the best.
For the Eagles – who continue to battle its own injury concerns – defender Jordan Bertrand was super, while Shaun Marusic’s strong form in the middle continued with another strong game.
The crucial result means that the Dogs move into fifth spot on 28 points, with the Eagles sitting just behind on 26 points as the race for the remaining finals position continues.
The Dogs in particular have been completely dominant on its home deck in 2019, and will fancy their chances when they welcome Narre Warren on Saturday, and with a comfortable run home – including clashes against Upwey Tecoma, Healesville and Olinda Ferny Creek – will be hard to remove from fifth.
Narre Warren, meanwhile, picked up an expected win against Healesville at home, registering a whopping 53 scoring shots, 31.22 (208) to 8.6 (54).
With Michael Collins’ purple-patch up forward continuing with another six majors, and Daniel Jackson also snaring half a dozen, the Magpies were never challenged after opening up a 45-point lead at quarter time.
But, Magpies coach Matt Shinners said it was important for his side to continue to play four-quarters even after sealing the game at quarter time.
“Sometimes it’s a bit hard to keep the concentration and focus for four quarters,” he said.
“Especially with a young group, we take the win and I was pleased, but we head to Wandin for a big challenge this week.”
In the remaining match of the round, Woori Yallock, fought off a fierce challenge from Olinda Ferny Creek to bank a 22-point win, 12.12 (84) to 9.8 (62).
The loss in particular makes the Bloods’ finals hopes even more difficult, now sitting two games behind the Dogs in fifth.
The blockbuster matches simply don’t end in the lead-up to finals, with Narre Warren making the trip to take on Wandin at the Kennel this Saturday– a crucial match in the context of the season, something Shinners is aware of.
“We’re starting to get a couple of boys back from injury now, and we’re just consolidating a little more,” he said.
“It’ll be Wandin’s third game at home in a row, and they’re starting to really hit their straps as well.”
Shinners said that the expected challenge provided by the Dogs was exactly what his young group needs as they look to stave off a late challenge from Woori Yallock in third spot.
“They’ve come from behind to beat Beaconsfield – good sides are able to come back and win and that’s what they’ve done, and they had another one on the weekend against Cranbourne,” he said.
“Not being disrespectful to anyone, but we now go and play a really good side that’s up and about and playing good footy, so the challenge for us is to go and play a top-quality side this weekend.
“We win, we can really consolidate, and we lose, and we go back to the pack a little bit. We lose and it opens the door to Wandin on their march to the finals.”
With the threat provided by stars Justin Van Unen and Daniel Gorringe – who have kicked 66 goals between them this year – Shinners said his young defensive group will need to be on guard to quell their influence.
“We’ve got a young back half, and they have to be switched on, and the concentration levels need to be different to what they probably have been the last few weeks,” he said.
“It’s a great challenge, both guys have played some really high quality footy, so we’ll play my young blokes on them and see how they go.”
