Berwick coach Glenn Dale has had a fortnight to plan for Saturday’s crucial clash with Narre Warren.By Brad Kingsbury
IF Berwick is entertaining any thoughts of retaining the double chance and thereby a serious crack at a grand final berth, it simply must defeat Narre Warren at Fox Road this Saturday.
The Magpies have hit a wall, losing their last three games in a row and they are ripe for the picking – even on their home deck.
They have injury concerns with Steven Kidd, Daniel Borninkhof, Cole Harvey and Andrew Field all doubtful starters, while Chris Collins and Glenn Hamilton will both miss after being suspended.
Coach Matt Shinners acknowledges the challenge but believes that his list is good enough to overcome the outs.
“Berwick had a bye and would have had a good look at what they have to prepare for next week. We have to manage our list but we’ve got the talent to match any side if we keep to our game plan and structure,” he said.
Berwick has not been a finals participant since the inception of the Casey Cardinia league and the excitement at the coming month’s football is high at the Edwin Flack Reserve.
Coach Glenn Dale has done a superb job with his side and should have all his guns back and firing this weekend, led by Grant Noonan and Jason Heath who missed the Wickers’ last outing against Hampton Park.
Earlier in the season Narre Warren gave Berwick an indication of what was required to be a player at the pointy end of the season and that lesson would have been well learnt.
So well in fact that Berwick should travel to Fox Road and come away with a rare victory against the depleted Magpies.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:DEVON MEADOWS V TOORADIN
DEVON Meadows has come out on the front foot and told the MPNFL it is more than just competitive in the Casey Cardinia League.
If that is the case then the Panthers have the perfect chance to prove it against another improver in Tooradin this weekend.
The Seagulls are only paddling through at present and, now that Steve Arvanitis has departed, are relying on super efforts from Chad Liddell, Michael Hobbs, Beau Miller and Rory Gilliatte to just remain competitive.
Devon Meadows on the other hand, is closer to the mark than the ladder indicates and will likely make that point again.
The talent pool has increased at the Glover Reserve with Aaron Henneman, Daniel Rigg, Jesse Dehey and Russell White playing consistently sharp football despite the club having no chance of finals.
That will be good enough to chalk up another win this weekend.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:KEYSBOROUGH V ROC
ROC travels to the Rowley Allen Reserve to take on Keysborough in the knowledge that both are in a battle to stave of the wooden spoon.
Neither will want that “prize” and both will be keen to finish the season off on a positive note.
The Burra will likely be bolstered by the inclusion of star forward Tyson King together with lanky utility Dean Gentle, but may lose Ryan Goodes who suffered a severe cork last Saturday.
The Kangaroos have shown that they are on the right track and coach Kris Fletcher said he would be aiming to run their bigger opponents around.
“Our under-18s can’t make the finals so our kids will be back this week and that will help us create a bit more run and excitement. Keysborough is playing some good footy now and they’ve got some mature bodies who will be hard to match up on,” he said.
It will be those mature bodies that tell the tale at this time of year, especially at Keysborough.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:CRANBOURNE V BEACONSFIELD
CRANBOURNE will defeat Beaconsfield with some ease at Casey Fields and use the game as a catapult towards the coming finals and a possible top three position.
That is the only logical conclusion on current form, however, the visitors will appreciate the wide open spaces and may have a little bit of fun before Cranbourne gets on top.
Hopefully neither coach finds it necessary to run too many heavy tags and the crowd can enjoy the awesome skills of Cranbourne’s Marc Holt, Ryan Jones, Matt Fletcher and Ray George, together with Beacy stars Andrew Williams, Robbie Taylor, Chris Kelf and big marking Daniel Calteri.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:PAKENHAM V HAMPTON PARK
HAMPTON Park has the bye next weekend and will travel to Pakenham and finish its 2009 season on the best deck in the league.
The scoreboard will not be something that too many Redbacks players or supporters should take much notice of this Saturday.
It will be a case of run to space and make life as difficult as possible for the Lions who will be starting to feel the nerves as another finals series approaches.
Pakenham coach Michael Holland said that he expected a tough encounter and would select a strong side with that in mind but he has to say stuff like that because he’s the coach.
The truth is that every Pakenham player will be looking forward to a regulation win and a chance to show a bit of flair in order to secure a spot in the finals line-up.
As for the Redbacks it’s a case of “Mad Monday Ho”.
