By RUSSELL BENNETT
GARFIELD has fired a stunning warning shot across the bow of the likes of Cora Lynn and Kooweerup, securing the prized signature of former Cranbourne premiership star Justin Berry.
The livewire forward with a reputation for starring on the big stage has made the switch to Beswick Street after just a year at Mornington Peninsula club Hastings.
As soon as word first got around in local circles that Berry would be wearing a Stars’ guernsey this season, rumours about the dollar figure on his contract also started to fly.
But Garfield player-coach Ryan Hendy wanted to put those to bed.
“Garfield generally doesn’t pay massive money for players, and he didn’t come for the money – he made that clear straight away,” Hendy said.
“People might think he did, but I can assure them that isn’t the case.
“He’s not here for big cash.”
The Gazette understands Berry, 33, agreed to terms with Garfield last week soon after arriving at the club, and that his deal is incentive-based.
He’s got a football resume most could only dream of. The former Carlton reserves’ player also had stints at Springvale and Frankston, and on St Kilda’s rookie list.
Berry is a multiple-time All-Australian at ACFC (Australian Country Football Championships) level, and is a former member of the VFL Team of the Year.
“You’re probably not going to get a better local footballer than him,” Hendy said, adding that he and Berry had a good existing relationship from their time in the Casey Cardinia (now South East Football Netball League) competition, and that played a key role in the signing.
But Berry may not be the only big-name addition to the Stars’ lineup this season with Garfield favourite son Lincoln Withers back training at the club.
“He wants to finish his career where he started,” Hendy said of Withers, now in his late 30s.
“He wants to work with the younger players and just give back to the club.”
Withers is known for his intimidating physical presence out on the ground, and that would still be a major factor if he returned this year – despite his age.
Hendy said his side needed more pace through the midfield and more scoreboard pressure from the forwards – and both areas had been addressed through the additions of Berry, and Tyson and Darcy Payne.
The Stars will also get a full season in 2015 out of John Atwell, and a fitter Hendy. Younger players like Will Collis, meanwhile, have been training the house down.
“We believed we were good enough to win it last season but we didn’t gel until later in the year,” Hendy said.
“I think we were good enough to beat Kooweerup and we came back hard against them after a slow start.
“We missed out on a grand final by two points with a list of 70 per cent of players under 21.
“We know what needs to be done to win.”
Of Garfield’s confirmed moves so far, Nick Battle (Casey Scorpions) is the key omission from last season’s side.
