By Nick Creely
SOUTH EAST FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
REVIEW – ROUND 6
It’s true that each win is just another four points in the context of the season, but for Cranbourne, their extraordinary win over Berwick has undoubtedly cemented themselves as a premiership fancy.
It’s the kind of win that can build a season after being inconsistent in patches, a performance that is a testament to how much the Eagles have matured under coach Steve O’Brien.
Most impressively, the Eagles are building an attacking side that admittedly has some work to do defensively, but can blow away any side in the competition.
On quite a soft surface at Casey Fields, it was all the reigning premiers early, with the Wickers having all the play, but critically without putting it on the scoreboard.
Travis Tuck’s stoppage dominance was important early, with his ability to free his arms a highlight. After drawing a free kick inside 50, Tuck slotted the first major of the game, setting the tone. Adding to that, Joseph West was getting the better of Marc Holt in an intriguing battle.
But for all its dominance in clearances and a lop sided inside 50 differential, the Wickers could only manage three goals to walk to the huddle with a 22-point quarter time lead.
“Let’s be more organised and stay composed – the voice isn’t there at the moment, you’re looking a bit flat boys,” O’Brien roared at the quarter time huddle.
“Just get the basics right.”
While the Eagles managed to stem the rate of ball the Wickers were finding in the middle of the ground as the likes of Ryan Jones, Michael Boland and Brandon Wapshott started to impose an influence, conversion was a major issue.
The home side had their chances but butchered the football towards goal, including a simple miss in front of goal by the usually dead eyed Holt.
Holt eventually found the Eagles’ only goal in the first half only five minutes later, and walked into half time somehow still in the game after a sloppy quarter by the Wickers.
In the third, the Eagles began to assert some control over the contest, but importantly, the likes of West and Michael Riseley ensured that the visitors wouldn’t give up too much ground, entering the final term with a commanding 20-point lead.
Then came the final quarter, an extraordinary performance with two down on the bench due to injuries earlier in the game.
The Eagles slammed on a gobsmacking 8.6 to just two behinds against the competition’s most dominant and hunted side to not only take the win, but produce a 52-point turnaround in just 30 minutes of play.
It started with the classy Zak Roscoe who converted a set shot to breathe some life into the game, and they continued to surge forward in the next centre clearance to drill another major, this time by Nathan Gardiner.
Only seconds later, with all the momentum flooding the home side’s way, another crucial clearance by the best afield Ryan Jones was gobbled up by Tommy Marks, who coolly slotted a goal on the run from outside the 50 metre arc.
Momentum was well and truly with the home side, who were defying the logic that playing with players down on the bench eventually mean they run out of legs.
But these Eagles kept on surging, and after five minutes of Michael Boland in the ruck, they extraordinary took the lead for the very first time after yet another goal from a centre clearance.
It was a lead they held precious, and with the home crowd beginning to become vocal, the momentum ensured they would slam on another four unanswered goals, with Stewart Kemperman’s side unable to stop a quarter of pure dominance.
“It was a good performance – we were under a lot of pressure early, Berwick really brought some heat, and it took us a while to adjust, and once we did, we were able to turn it around and finish it off really strongly again,” Steve O’Brien said.
“There were some wasted chances because we didn’t execute the way we wanted to, and it was more about getting back to where we wanted to be, that was the biggest difference in the game.”
While the Eagles were hampered by two more injuries during the game, O’Brien explained that his side can overcome any obstacle in its way.
“We had a few injuries at half time, so we were two players down at half time, which forced a couple of changes, but it was more about the method to be honest,” he said.
“We’re a resilient bunch, and it’s not the first time I have mentioned that – it’s not the first time we’ve had injuries and I think it shows we have strong resilience and we have the ability to overrun sides in the latter parts of the game.
“We didn’t expect it against Berwick, we expected a tough last quarter, but we have some great inner belief, and I thought there were signs the game was getting on our terms in the third quarter, and we had to persist and believe in the system, it’s really pleasing.”
One of the brightest sparks for the Eagles was a polished performance by Ryan Jones, who was clear best afield with his run and carry proving pivotal in a game that his side had to dig deep.
“He’s been playing great footy Jonesy, he’s stepped up this year and is in our leadership group, and he’s taken that on board and got some reward for the hard work he’s put in,” O’Brien said.
Looking forward for the Eagles who now surge into equal second and O’Brien is excited by a block of footy where his side can get some continuity, starting with Officer this weekend.
“We’re confident, and we’re still building – we’ve got a good run of games without breaks now, and now we get the chance to evolve our game plan, and it’s getting close to how I want it,” he said.
As for the Wickers, they still remain second with a healthy percentage of 191.08, but face a tough assignment against the undefeated Narre Warren.
Cranbourne 12.15 (87)
Berwick 7.13 (55)
