By Brad Kingsbury
BERWICK is at home to ROC this weekend and this game will be much closer than ladder positions suggest.
That is especially so if there is any hint of moisture around, because the Kangaroos like it in close and personal.
Former Berwick junior Kris Fletcher is in charge at Starling Road this year and the Kangaroos’ improvement has been steady and progressive with the influence of Greg Tivendale, Kym Jones, Ash Comer and youngster Steve Hawkins having an effect.
Fletcher is in no doubt that the task will be a daunting one.
“It will be a huge game. We have to be able to run with them over the four quarters to be in the game and that’s the key for us. We put our heads over the ball well, but Berwick is playing well and it will be a big test,” he said.
He’s correct when he says Berwick is playing well.
The Wickers have most of their players back from injury now and are developing into a serious top-three contender with Dale Robinson, Sean Calamatta, Jason Heath and Jason Rahilly nearing top form.
It’s also a big day at the Edwin Flack Reserve with the 1999 premiership reunion and captain Andrew Tuck acknowledged the occasion.
“We don’t want to win a big one and then lapse. It’s a massive game for us in front of our past (premiership) players and ROC has really improved a lot this year,” he said.
Berwick is playing a solid brand of accountable football and has a system and game plan that will worry most sides for the rest of the year.
That should prove too much for the gallant, but still under-strength, ROC side this weekend and produce another four points after a spirited contest.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Other Games
Narre Warren v Tooradin
TOORADIN bounced back to the winners’ list in good style against the bottom side last week, but this weekend’s challenge is a different prospect.
Narre Warren, at Fox Road, is a big test for any side and Seagulls’ coach Cristian O’Brien knows full well that his troops will need to be positive.
“Winning creates confidence and that’s a good way to go into a game like Narre Warren. We’ll know a bit more about ourselves after this, but we’re getting a few players back so that will help,” he said.
While Steve Arvanitis should return, Tooradin looks likely to lose Chad Liddell with a hamstring strain and that will be a huge blow.
Narre Warren continues to defy its critics and has moved to third place on the ladder on the back of the youth and enthusiasm of players like Dylan Piening, Justin Marriott, Nathan Brewster and Jackson Parker.
The Magpies have the momentum and should move away in the second half and score another solid victory.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Devon Meadows v Pakenham
HOW Devon Meadows will shut down all Pakenham’s star players only Panthers’ coach Steve O’Brien would know.
However he is approaching the game with an air of expectancy and belief that his players should take note of.
“Of course it’s a huge challenge, but Pakenham doesn’t like coming to Devon Meadows and if we get all our players up and we bring our A-game for four quarters we think we can really push them,” he said.
While the sentiment is true, when players like the O’Loughlin brothers, Daniel Fry, Luke Walker, Nathan Brown and Jared Goldsack take the field this weekend, the best the Panthers can probably hope for is an honourable loss.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Keysborough v Beaconsfield
A positive attitude is the key to this game and both coaches will be hoping to find the magic key to success before the other when the siren sounds to start this game.
Both sides are down on confidence after severe losses last week, however both have enough good-quality players on their lists to believe that they can sing their song.
Robbie Taylor knows how dangerous the Burra can be at home and must put any thoughts of complacency out of his players’ minds.
Keysborough mentor Greg Siwes will be asking for pride and commitment in his pre-match address and if he gets it, a win is on the cards.
That said, and for no particular reason, the tip is with Beaconsfield.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Doveton v Hampton Park
THE second of the traditional clashes for the O’Brien-Batten Cup this year will be played at the Robinson Reserve.
Hampton Park folk will be hoping that the result is a lot different to the first-round drubbing they received at the hands of the Doves, but home side assistant coach Clint Wilson is not underestimating the Redbacks.
“Hampton Park is playing a lot better than the first time we met them, so it will be a good hitout. It always is against them,” he said.
While that is true in principle, the reality of in-form Doves like Justin Hill, Ricky Hayes, Danny Casset, Russell Gabriel and Ryan Hendy is about to hit home for the Redbacks.
Doveton will cruise to another relatively easy victory on their way to the 2009 minor premiership.
