He’s only 23, but Daniel Outhred has officiated at more than 300 games of footy. He umpired the Hampton Park-Berwick clash on the weekend. 66114 Picture: Kim Cartmell
By Mark Gullick
HAMPTON Park dealt the red-hot Berwick a 33-point thumping at Robert Booth Reserve in their round seven clash in the Casey Cardinia Football League on Saturday.
With Berwick coming off a blistering win over Beaconsfield and Hampton Park succumbing to Doveton the previous round, the Wickers went into the match as warm favourites.
Hampton Park dominated, kicking six goals to two in the opening term over a shocked Berwick.
Kevin McLean was brilliant, booting three goals and handing off another one.
He kicked five goals for the game and was the best forward on the field.
The Redbacks led by 37 points at half time and had firm control of the match.
Berwick outscored the home team in the second half – with six goals to five – but the contest was well and truly decided by that time.
“It was a good win, especially after last week,” Hampton Park coach Clint Evans said. “We pretty much had to win because if we’d lost, then we’d be fighting for a finals spot. We were very disciplined in the way we played. Our first quarter and a half was fantastic.”
The win provided a bonus for Evans, who got one over his former club.
“It’s always good going up against your old side and having a win,” he said.
“To their credit, they kept coming. They’ve got a lot of young guys and on a big ground if you give them space, they’ll tear you up. They did that a few times to us. We knew that if we gave them a bit of room they would cut us up, but our pressure was fantastic.”
Linden Fredericks and Craig Lombard supplied plenty of drive for Hampton Park, while Nathan Dawes, Brett Armitage and Dean Jamieson were steady contributors in the impressive win.
Hampton Park faces Narre Warren this weekend.
“It’s going to be huge,” Evans said. “We go down to Narre, which is a small ground as well, which will hopefully suit us. They had a win (last week) and they’ve got some quality players. We’ll be up against it again, but we’ll take some real confidence after the (Berwick) win.
“It’s a historical thing with Berwick going to places like Hampton Park and the mindset is perhaps negative and get intimidated,” Wickers coach Dean Rice said.
“We gave them a five-goal headstart and we ended up losing by five goals, it was very similar to what happened at Pakenham (in round three).
“I made it clear before the game about that, and that Hampton Park would be up for the game. (Hampton Park) wanted to play on their terms in the first half and we did. For whatever reason, the players had the mindset of being second to the ball.”
Berwick’s best players were Jason Rahilly, Brad Fowler through the midfield and ruckman Steve Finlayson.
Jake McLardy, Paul Vanschilt and defender David VanDiemen were serviceable.
Berwick hosts Tooradin-Dalmore on Saturday.
@BT Sub Sport News:BEACONSFIELD v NARRE WARREN
NARRE Warren claimed a two-point win after a dramatic finish at Perc Allison Oval.
The Magpies held a seemingly match-winning lead at three-quarter time with a 26-point advantage.
Beaconsfield, through promising wiry youngster Jake Cameron, fought back and claimed the lead after captain Daniel Mislicki kicked a goal.
However, a Magpies counter-attack brought the ball into their forward line where Ben Wragg marked on the flank – 40 metres from goal.
After a quick survey of options, Wragg decided to have a shot, and with brilliant skill he kicked truly, wresting the lead back for Narre Warren.
The Eagles brought the ball forward and Cameron nearly completed a sliding mark close to goal, but the ball slipped out and Narre Warren cleared it and held on to win.
The opening half was a dour affair owing to the continual pressure around the packs.
There were few easy possessions with every kick and mark hotly contested.
A four-goal burst by Narre Warren broke open the game in the third term before Beaconsfield staged a thrilling come-back in the final stanza.
“There’s a fair bit of resolve (among the players),” Narre Warren coach Chris Toner said.
“They might only be young and the rest of it, but they’ve got character and they really work hard for the footy club – it’s not just themselves. The last two weeks have been really good for us, in terms of character building.”
Colin McNamara, Aaron McIver and Michael McGill supplied crucial leadership for the Magpies, while Chris Collins and Matt Lee in defence played well. Beaconsfield’s youngsters were prominent.
Ji Veltmeyer, Jayden Gee, Nick Smith and Jake Cameron (four goals) played with class and composure above their tender years.
Narre Warren plays Hampton Park on Saturday.
“They’re flying at the moment,” Toner said.
“They’ve only had one slip-up for the year. They’re going to be difficult, but there’re no easy games this year. I know they’re tall, they have a big forward line, and we’re probably the opposite – quick and small.
“It will be a contrast and we’ll see who comes up trumps.”
