Berwick Miners head coach Dale Warren’s decision to replace quarterback Jamie Stafford with promising 18-year-old Sam Walker on the weekend represented a change of direction for the club. Picture: Stewart Chambers.By Marc McGowan
THE Berwick Miners are yet to record a victory this season after being thumped 41-0 by reigning premiers the Nunawading Warriors at Frank Street Reserve on Saturday.
However, the round two Gridiron Victoria match marked the dawning of a new era for the club, with the introduction of 18-year-old quarterback Sam Walker.
Walker, fresh from leading the Miners’ under-19 side to last year’s Riddell Bowl, replaced Jamie Stafford early in the encounter and will take over the passing duties for the foreseeable future.
The decision comes on the back of Stafford’s disappointing display in the previous week’s season opener against the Croydon Rangers.
Berwick head coach Dale Warren is excited about the change and is looking forward to watching Walker’s progress.
“It is good from our point of view because we can develop him,” he said.
“He had a few completed passes, a few interceptions, and made one good, long pass to Jamie Stafford (who was moved to wide receiver).”
Head and neck injuries to defensive captain Mark Petana also paved the way for another youngster to shine, and middle linebacker Michael Tupai grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
Petana’s injuries are not serious and he is a possibility to line up this weekend.
The Warriors knocked the Miners out in the semi-finals last season and had no intention of giving Berwick a chance to avenge the defeat.
Nunawading rollicked to a 17-0 lead by half-time, but Berwick felt it was still in the contest.
It was not to be, as, despite another strong performance by outside linebacker Rob Zimmerman, the Warriors continued to score touchdowns at will and wound up easy winners.
Warren was keen to talk up the Miners’ youth policy and believes it will pay dividends down the track.
“We did not plan on bringing Sammy in this early, but he has a good chance to step up and take control of the spot,” he said.
“Our aim at the Miners is to bring the junior players through and that has been the case for several seasons.”
Warren conceded that inexperience was a major reason for his squad’s loss against Nunawading and explained that it would give a similar advantage to other teams.
“Half of the team has experience and the other half are inexperienced,” he said.
“It comes down to knowledge of the game and Croydon, the Warriors and the Crusaders have a bit of experience behind them.
“We’re developing at the moment.”
Berwick has a good opportunity to pocket its first triumph of the year on Sunday at 10.30am when it faces the struggling Bay City Buccaneers at Henry Turner Reserve in Footscray.
The clubs shared the results of their two battles in 2006 and the Miners’ fourth placing last year just shaded the Buccaneers’ fifth.
