By DAVID NAGEL
JUST one game separates the top-six teams in the South East Football Netball League (SEFNL) after Narre Warren and Berwick made statements of intent on the weekend.
Narre’s message came through loud and clear after a 42-point defeat of top-of-the-table Doveton at Kalora Park.
The Magpies’ opening 20 minutes of football was simply superb, chasing, tackling, harassing, and converting their chances on their way to 6.3 (39) to 0.0 start. Full credit to the Doves, they held firm after an initial onslaught that showed they’re still a fair way off the mark.
The opening burst was almost perfect from the Magpies, who had some question marks coming in about their ability to perform after a 20-day break leading in.
“It was important that we got away to a good start because, to be honest, I wasn’t sure if we would run out of gas after the two weeks off,” Narre coach Chris Toner said.
“We were really tough at it at the start and there’s no doubt they might have struggled with that a bit in the first quarter. They were trying to break through our tackles a lot, but our tackling was fantastic in the first quarter, it really set the scene for the day.”
Full-forward Kerem Baskaya kicked three first-quarter goals, on his way to five for the day, while three goals to Matt Lee, brilliant games in defence from Ryan Morrison and Ben King, and a great game from Jake Richardson in the ruck were other highlights.
Mitch Davies and Jake Dermott held firm for the Doves in defence.
Berwick survived a last-quarter revival from Pakenham, moving to second on the ladder after a six-point victory over the Lions at Toomuc Reserve.
Berwick looked every inch a top-three team in the first term, booting 7.2 to 0.2 to take a stranglehold on the contest. The Wickers led by 48 points at the final break, before the Lions followed the lead of their inspirational playing-coach Steve O’Bryan and surged. The Wickers held on despite the Lions kicking 7.1 to 0.1 in the final term.
Ben Kearns kicked five, and skipper Madi Andrews was brilliant around the contest for the winners.
Reigning-premier Beaconsfield was made to work hard for three quarters before pulling away from Tooradin at Holm Park Reserve.
The Eagles led by just 23 points at three-quarter time before a five goal to one final term put the issue beyond doubt. Troy McDermott kicked three for the Eagles, a figure matched by Matt Wade for the Seagulls.
“We’ve got a very young list, we’ve had eight or nine under-19s play over the last two weeks, and with that comes a learning curve and some inconsistencies,” Tooradin coach Lachie Gillespie said.
“On the one hand it’s disappointing that we haven’t got the wins on the board but I’m positive that we’re heading down the right track.”
ROC made it two wins from its last three outings with a 10-goal victory over Hampton Park at Robert Booth Reserve.
The Kangaroos looked like blowing this one to smithereens in the second half, but their 57-point lead at half time only grew marginally after the break. Sean Roach was the star for the Kangas, booting six, while evergreen performer Ben Tivendale finished the day with three.
Andrew Shipp, Nathan Carver and Nathan Allen were best for the Redbacks.
