By David Nagel
Berwick’s propensity for slow starts has once again cost it the chance to compete with one of the power teams of the Eastern Football League (EFL) Premier Division with the Wickers going down to Noble Park by 20 points at Pat Wright Oval on Saturday.
The Wickers were once again slow out of the blocks against the Bulls, being kept scoreless as the home side ground out a 15-point lead at quarter time.
The Wickers matched the Bulls in the second term, but were outgunned in the third, before putting some respectability on the scoreboard by kicking four goals to two in the final term.
Berwick coach Clint Evans is fully aware that slow starts could prove costly as the Wickers switch to survival mode in the last eight rounds of the season.
“The competition is so even and that’s three games in a row now, against Doncaster East, South Croydon and Noble, where we’ve given good football teams a head start,” Evans said.
“Maybe in a past life we could overcome that, but we’re playing better sides now on a weekly basis and we can’t afford to give away starts.
“I thought we had a real crack but we were always behind the eight ball.”
Evans recognised the talent at the Bulls disposal and sacrificed one of his own guns to try and quell the influence of Noble Park superstar Kyle Martin.
Running-machine Madi Andrews was given the huge task of running with the Bulls’ star, and did a mighty job, with Martin still effective but not having his most destructive influence on the game.
Evans also ran a dual tag on Jackson Sketcher, with Jarryd Trait and Kristian Meredith showing discipline and commitment to limit Sketcher’s impact on proceedings.
The Bulls had too many avenues to goal with Lachie Quaife and Ali Zijai kicking two goals each with a further eight players contributing singles.
Harry Money and Jed Smith booted three each for the Wickers, with half-forward flanker Josh Burgess chiming in with two.
Class act Michael Riseley must be in team of the year contention after another stellar game off half back, with Lachie Vaughan and Riley Heddles giving Riseley plenty of support in the near vicinity.
Youngster Charlie Muley continues to get more responsibility in key roles as the weeks roll on, while Anthony Vella and Tom Brennan matched the Bulls’ runners for leg speed.
Berwick once again suffered some serious injuries on the weekend with Trent Van Hout likely to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury and key forward Jordy Andrews also hurting his knee after returning for his first game since round three.
The Wickers host third-placed Norwood this week at Edwin Flack Reserve before having a week’s rest with the bye before launching for the last seven games of the season.
Results
Balwyn 14.12 (96) v Doncaster 7.7 (49), Blackburn 7.14 (56) v North Ringwood 10.8 (68), Norwood 7.10 (52) v South Croydon 4.10 (34), Noble Park 12.10 (82) v Berwick 10.2 (62), Doncaster East 10.10 (70) v Vermont 13.8 (86), Rowville – Bye.
Ladder
Vermont (87.50 per cent), Noble Park 77.78, Norwood 71.43, South Croydon 66.67, Balwyn 62.50, Doncaster 37.50, Rowville 28.57, Doncaster East 25, Berwick 25, North Ringwood 25.
This week
Berwick (10) v Norwood (3), Noble Park (2) v Doncaster East (9), Doncaster (7) v North Ringwood (11), Rowville (8) v Blackburn (6), South Croydon (4) v Balwyn (5), Vermont (1) – Bye.
