By Mark Gullick
Beaconsfield’s Damien Szwaja in Saturday’s clash at Starling Road. 47946 Picture: Donna Oates
BERWICK defeated a determined Tooradin by 33 points at Edwin Flack Reserve on Saturday.
Tooradin played its best game of the year and were within striking distance until the final term, when the Wickers kicked four goals to nil to clinch the game.
However, Berwick coach Glenn Dale was happy with his team, especially considering how young his team was.
“The team we had in was very inexperienced,” Dale said. “We played five under 18s and the average age of the team was just under 22. We’re heading in the right direction.”
Berwick were reduced to 17 men after Jason Rahilly was sent from the ground, but it helped the team rather than hinder it.
“We probably only got on top when we had 17 players on the field,” Dale said. “We went back to our structure, which was quick handball receives and play-on. When you’ve got 17 players you have to do it because it’s the only way you can really move the ball past their loose man. We have a pretty easy game plan. When we do it, we win games and when we don’t, we lose games.”
Berwick has the bye this weekend and with half-back David VanDiemen, forward Grant Noonan and the reliable Michael Hanigan missing from the weekend’s team, there is plenty of room for improvement.
“There’ll be a few players available after the break, but I can’t see us making too many changes after that effort,” he said. “Whether they step up again, we’ll have to see, it may be a week to week proposition.”
Andrew Stent was Berwick’s best player, while Billy Carlyle (five goals), Andrew Tuck, forward Shane Findlayson (four goals) and Paul Vanschilt were prominent. Dale was very impressed with youngster Luke Sheppard.
For Tooradin, coach Chad Liddell played his best game for the year and finished with five goals. Michael Hobbs, Beau Miller, Adam Splatt and Ben Disney were busy around the ground.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Hampton Park v Narre Warren
NARRE Warren held its spot in the top five with a solid 31-point win over Hampton Park.
“It’s never easy to go there and win a game of footy,” Narre Warren coach Matt Shinners said. “(Hampton Park) certainly rise to the occasion and play well, but to win by five goals is good. We’ve certainly got a few things to work on.”
The game was tight in the first half and characterised by poor kicking for goal and stop-start football around the ground.
“We had our fair share of footy in the first half, but we couldn’t capitalise on the amount of ball we had,” Shinners said.
“We were fortunate enough to have our noses in front at half-time. We changed a few things around; the boys responded and came out and played really well in the third quarter. The third quarter was certainly the style of football we’re renowned for playing.
“However, it was probably a little disappointing the way we finished.”
Narre Warren kicked 12 goals to 10 after half-time.
Defender Colin McNamara was the Magpies best player. Midfielders Michael Collins, Jackson Parker (four goals) and Nick Scanlon were prominent and youngsters Chris Potalej and Ben Wragg were impressive. Brett Evans finished with five goals.
It was another frustrating performance by Hampton Park.
While they have won only once this year, they have let several chances slip.
“We were good for three quarters,” Hampton Park coach Josh Taylor said. “In the third quarter, they slowed the tempo of the game and kicked eight goals.
“A lack of midfield pressure hurt us. Even across half-back (Narre Warren) were running and breaking lines. Their delivery inside 50 was really good and we couldn’t stop it.
“Against quality opposition, it only takes one quarter for them to stamp their authority on the game.”
Taylor believes that the wins will come when his players put four quarters together.
“I’d rather see four even quarters than two good ones and two mediocre ones,” Taylor said.
“We had a really good pre-season, so I don’t question our fitness and in the last few weeks we’ve made our comebacks in the last quarter. We’re not running out of legs.
“I know it’s all there. If we can string it together for four quarters, then we’ll shake a few sides.”
Exciting midfielder Linden Fredericks was the best player for Hampton Park. Jamie Rondinella was solid, as were ruckman Steve Watson, Glenn Rees, forward Matthew Shorey and midfielder Nathan Dawes. Kevin McLean booted six majors.
Beaconsfield remain undefeated after disposing of ROC by 46 points.
The Eagles scored six goals to two in the opening term and were never really challenged.
ROC won the second quarter, but conceded 10 goals in the second half.
Beaconsfield didn’t play brilliant football, but were consistently better than ROC around the ground.
Ryan Donaldson and Clint Setford formed a strong forward partnership and contributed 12 goals between them. Donaldson finished with eight majors. Andrew Williams continued his excellent season across the half-back line. Youngster Aaron Gwozdziewski played his best game for the club while vice-captain Justin Duffy played a good game.
The Tivendale brothers were again the best players for ROC. Jamie Commerford, ruckman Dane Roy, Jake Rech and Michael Brown tried hard.
The win places Beaconsfield one game clear on top of the ladder, although they will be tested in the next two weeks against Devon Meadows and Cranbourne.
ROC are winless and 10th on the ladder, but they have several opportunities in the next month to secure their first win.
