By DAVID NAGEL
BERWICK has rubber-stamped its premiership credentials and condemned Narre Warren to a likely elimination final after a stirring 20-point victory in the South East Football Netball League match of the day at Kalora Park.
The Wickers kicked nine of 12 goals, between quarter time and two minutes into the final quarter, to kick out to a 40-point lead, before the Magpies put some respectability into the scoreboard in the final quarter.
The win sees the Wickers stay at the top of the table, joined by Cranbourne and Beaconsfield on 44 points, with the Magpies now slipping two games back in fourth position.
Berwick skipper Madi Andrews was a clearance-king throughout the course of the afternoon, while Mitchell Johnson (6 goals) and Michael Riseley, who did a terrific job on Kerem Baskaya for three quarters, were bookends to be relied upon.
Berwick coach Rhys Nisbet said the victory was important and capped off a great day for the club.
“We understood how important today was for our season, so to come out and produce almost the ultimate team performance was very satisfying,” Nisbet said.
“And, as a club, to come to Narre Warren and win all four games (seniors, reserves, 18s and 19s)…as a club we haven’t done that for a very long time.”
Berwick’s pressure, especially up forward, made Narre Warren look slow and stagnant, bereft of confidence, and with no run and carry out of its half-back line. Put some of that down to Berwick’s immense pressure, but there’s absolutely no doubt that the Magpies are playing an inferior brand of football than they have in recent years.
“Our pressure was fantastic today, and we knew we needed to bring that type of intensity if things were to go our way,” Nisbet said.
Andrews, Johnson, Riseley and Paul Vanschilt played important parts in the win, but they had 18 mates who could walk off with their heads held high.
It was a mixed day for the Baskaya family, with Kerem fighting back in the final quarter to end the day with five, while his brother Kain has sustained what could be another serious knee injury.
Big-men Dale Gawley and Andrew Hunter were best for the Magpies.
Pakenham’s finals hopes are still alive after the Lions battled their way to 20-point, 15.14 (104) to 13.6 (84), victory over Hampton Park at Robert Booth Reserve.
The Redbacks jumped the Lions, whose season was on the line at three-quarter time, just three points ahead, but a five goal to three final term saw them return to Toomuc Reserve with the four points tucked safely in the bank.
Daniel Fry and Russell Lehman kicked three each, and Todd Beck and Nathan Brown were superb for the Lions, who host Doveton next week in what looms as a battle for fifth position come finals time.
Nathan Allen played a blinder for the Redbacks, while former-Lion Blake Rout was in good form off half back.
Cranbourne coach Simon Goosey has been raving about his side’s second halves this season, and they impressed again, kicking 10 goals to three after the main break to score a 49-point victory over Tooradin at Westernport Oval.
The Eagles, who welcomed back gun-midfielder Curtis Barker for his first game since round two, took their time to shake the Seagulls, before a 6.8 to 2.7 third quarter put the issue to bed.
Marc Holt kicked four, Michael Theodoridis three, while Ryan Davey and Troy Tharle were instrumental in the Eagles’ sixth win on the trot. Ben Hallas was lively up forward, booting two goals to be the Seagulls’ best player.
“Let’s kill their finals’ chances,” was the message from ROC coach Brad Jones as his side led by three points at three-quarter time in the clash against Doveton.
Well Jones’ message fell on deaf ears, and very tired legs, as the Doves kicked 5.6 to 0.3 in the final quarter on their way to a very important, 11.23 (89) to 8.11 (59) victory at Robinson Reserve.
Regular centre-half-back Jake Dermott kicked two for the Doves, while Keith Dobson, Shannon Henwood and Michael Henry were in good nick around the ground.
Both teams suffered more on the medical front, with Doveton’s Mitch Viney (ankle) and ROC’s Chris Larosa (groin) adding to both club’s growing list of injuries.
LADDER: Berwick 44 points, Cranbourne 44, Beaconsfield 44, Narre Warren 36, Doveton 32, Pakenham 32, ROC 12, Tooradin 12, Hampton Park 4.
NEXT WEEK: Berwick v Beaconsfield, ROC v Cranbourne, Pakenham v Doveton, Tooradin v Narre Warren. Hampton Park – Bye.
