By DAVID NAGEL
REIGNING premier Beaconsfield and its big-name recruit Beau Dowler face a huge challenge this week when they travel to Casey Fields to take on Cranbourne in the SEFL match-of-the-day.
Beaconsfield coach Clint ‘Boof’ Evans and his side like to fly under the radar, we all know that, but the signing of Dowler, combined with a 13-game winning streak that dates back to round 12 last year means the number one mantle sits firmly on its back.
Beaconsfield seemed to work out the secret to success against Cranbourne last year.
Downed by 10 point in its round six engagement at Casey Fields, Boof and his boys returned serve with a nine-goal victory at Holm Park Road before two comprehensive wins, in the qualifying final, and then the one that really matters.
Will Simon Goosey’s team defence stand up, or will Beaconsfield’s all-over-the-ground depth claim its 14th victim on the trot?
It’s Beaconsfield by four goals.
Round 3 Review
Berwick’s first win this season may be its most important in years – the Wickers’ new recruits starring in a 49-point victory over Narre Warren at Edwin Flack Reserve.
The Wickers have had a tough draw, there’s no doubt about that, but losing to last year’s grand finalists Beaconsfield and Cranbourne had left them vulnerable heading into a game against the dominant team of the last decade.
But Berwick put its stamp on things early.
The Wickers controlled the contest in the first term, slotting 7.2 to 1.0 and out-pressuring a team that has made that part of the game an art-form in recent years.
The Magpies fought back, as you would expect, but the Wickers put the foot down in the second half, kicking nine goals to three to draw a huge sigh of relief from the club.
“It certainly is, it’s a big relief, and not just to win, but to do it against a quality side like Narre always makes it that little bit sweeter,” assistant-coach Jason Kelly said.
Former West Coast Eagle Ash Smith played his best game for the club; dominating across half back, while five goals to Ben Kearns and a brilliant defensive display at full-back from Michael Riseley proved the Wickers’ recruiting campaign has been right on the mark.
Mitch Johnson kicked three for the Wickers while rover Dylan Quirk was a standout for the Magpies.
Reigning-premier Beaconsfield has extended its winning streak to 13 with a stress-free 25-point victory over Doveton at Holm Park Reserve.
The margin would suggest a tight contest, but the Eagles led by 40 points at the final break before the Doves brought some respectability to the scoreboard in the final term.
Taylor Joyce with four goals, and Damien Johnston and Chris Worner with three, were dynamite up forward for the Eagles, while Johnston and Lachlan Modica were best around the ground.
Mitch Viney and ruckman Russell Gabriel, who had a great battle with Scott Meyer, were best for the Doves, while Ricky Hayes joined Joyce at the top of the league goal-kicking list with four goals for the visitors.
