Magpies control the park

Kurt Mutimer breaks clear of his Narre Warren team mate Josh Dowling, and Berwick’s Joel Presland during Saturday’s under-19 grand final at Edwin Flack Reserve. 127742 Picture: JARROD POTTER

By DAVID NAGEL

CASEY CARDINIA FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
GRAND FINAL REVIEW – UNDER 19

NARRE WARREN’s football production line – built from a base of blood, sweat and tears – is as strong as ever after a commanding 58-point win over Berwick in Saturday’s under-19 grand final.
The Magpie thirds have now participated in the last eight deciders, this win their second back-to-back success, and fifth premiership, at an age that really does translate into senior success. Winning coach Matt Shinners was quick to point out that – just like their senior counterparts – success doesn’t grow on trees.
“A lot of hard work goes in to what you see today,” a delighted Shinners said from Edwin Flack Reserve after the match.
“We were decimated earlier in the year with some of our better players going down with long-term injuries, but it just shows the calibre of some of the younger players that we’ve brought through over the course of the journey, that stepped up and played some good footy through the year.
“A lot of players that have played in senior flags at the club have started at this level and come through, we give them the opportunity, we try and give them grounding and it just flows on from there. If they get taught right and listen, these will be the boys that will be teaching the next generation down the track.”
Shinners’ quest for back-to-back flags looked a little shaky early, when Tanner Stanton, Harry Money and Daniel McLardy kicked first-quarter goals to give Berwick a three-point lead at quarter time.
But that was it – the Magpies tightening the screws, not allowing the Wickers another major for the match, kicking six goals in the second quarter themselves to run out comprehensive and deserved winners of this year’s title.
“It means a hell of a lot, I love doing what I’m doing and I’ve got great kids who want to listen,” Shinners said.
“We were atrocious at times over the last six weeks but to come out and play footy like that, let a team kick three goals in 10 minutes, but nothing after that, well that just shows the calibre and the character of my blokes. They did everything right and went on to a very commanding win.”
The Magpies were well served by the dynamic Corey Machaya, the solidly built Jackson Bianco, and the smooth moving Kurt Mutimer, who all kicked three goals, while Hayden Egerton and medal winner Brent Urwin were other outstanding contributors.
But it didn’t end there, this Narre team is strong all over the park and the defensive efforts of Rhys Dempster, Michael Milivojevic, Jake Waldron and Aaron Coffey were other important links in the chain.
Aaron Jones, Lucas Jellyman-Turner and Dylan Webb never stopped trying for the Wickers.