By Mark Gullick
BERWICK shrugged off Devon Meadows to record an 11-goal victory at EG Allen Oval in their round five clash in the Casey Cardinia Football League on Saturday.
The Wickers overcame a slow start to pile on 14 goals in the middle quarters, while restricting the home side to four goals.
It was Berwick’s big names – including two Nathans – who led the charge.
Nathan Waite dominated the Panthers’ hapless defence to kick eight goals and extend his lead in the goalkicking competition.
Nathan Page was superb through the midfield, Vergim Faik and Stephen Finlayson formed an influential combination in the ruck and around the ground, and Yilber Zijai added plenty of class.
Devon Meadows coach Rod Keogh was left to lament another defeat.
“The boys are trying their hearts out, but we’re not getting any joy on the scoreboard at the moment,” he said.
“Although we’re getting beaten, we’re still pretty pleased with how the boys are going about it.
“The important thing is to have an upbeat attitude and we think we’ve got a lot of good times ahead.
“At the moment, we’ve got to take as much away from these hard games as we can. It’s a test not just for the players, but for everyone at the club to keep a real positive frame of mind, because we can certainly see light at the end of the tunnel.
“We’ve just got to hang in there and support the boys as much as possible.”
@BT Sub Sport News:NARRE WARREN v KEYSBOROUGH
NARRE Warren handed retiring star Glenn Hamilton the perfect send-off with a resounding 86-point win over a struggling Keysborough at Rowley Allen Reserve.
The Magpies produced 21 goals in the second half, while restricting the home side to just two majors.
“We played some of the best footy we’ve played in that last quarter,” Magpie coach Chris Toner said. “Obviously it was Hammo’s last game, so it was a big day for us. He got every last ounce of potential out of himself. He’s an absolute class act and we’re very lucky he was at our club.”
Brendan Fevola returned from the Casey Scorpions and put on a classic display, kicking 10 goals.
“It was the best marking display I’ve seen,” Toner said. “He would have taken 20 marks and was unbelievable. I think he might play one more game and hopefully qualify for the finals. That’s the plan.”
Michael Collins continued his rich vein of form with another dominant game in the midfield.
Jackson Parker and Josh Toner were prominent in the midfield, Matthew Lee was a rock in defence, and Hamilton kicked a goal and gathered plenty of disposals.
@BT Sub Sport News:BEACONSFIELD V DOVETON
BEACONSFIELD claimed its third successive win after a 31-point defeat of Doveton at Perc Allison Oval.
Played in perfect conditions, the Eagles kicked with the aid of a slight breeze in the opening term.
At quarter-time, Beaconsfield held a five-point lead and all indications from the opening term were that the two teams were evenly matched.
With Ryan Hendy and Daniel Calteri providing forward targets for their respective teams, and Kris Fletcher, Daniel Mislicki, Ryan Pearson and Matthew Miller battling it out in the midfield, an exciting contest was on the cards.
The Eagles held a three-point halftime lead.
The game was finally broken open during the third term.
On the back of two quick Calteri goals, Beaconsfield snatched the advantage.
The Eagles kicked five goals to two in the third term, and then four goals to three in the final term to claim an impressive victory.
“I wasn’t disappointed about how the boys played,” Doveton coach Mark Ladgrove said.
“We always thought the game was going to open up. It was a tight contest up until the third quarter and then their forwards got on top.
“After the Pakenham game, where we kicked 10 in the last quarter, we knew that we could get on a bit of a roll and capable of kicking goals, but it just wasn’t to be.”
Calteri was the best player on the ground. He kicked seven goals, mostly from strong contested marks and long kicks.
Kris Fletcher was superb from the opening bounce, working through the midfield and along the half-back line, Damien Szwaja was busy through the midfield, and James Alexander was prominent in the forward half.
Veterans Robbie Taylor and David White provided strong leadership for the young Eagles.
Doveton’s best player was Clint Wilson in the ruck, with the hard man continually giving his midfield first use of the ball.
Other contributors were Aaron Henwood, the courageous Jason McCloy and Scott Dinsdale in defence.
