By Tyler Lewis
With the powerful Eastern Football Netball League (EFNL) Premier Division kicking off this Saturday, NEWS reporter TYLER LEWIS takes a look at the prospects of the Berwick Football Club.
EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
BERWICK:
2021:
FINISH: 7th – three wins, six losses
LEADING GOAL KICKER: Harry Money (24)
2022:
CAPTAIN (S): Travis Tuck and Tom Brennan
CLEARANCES:
INS: Ashton Williamson (Narre Warren), Jai Neal (Noble Park), Ryan Bromley (Nar Nar Goon), Jack Beer (Rowville) and Caleb Van Oostveen.
OUTS: Jordan Andrews (Dromana), Riley Lucas (Narre South), Trent Thomas (Templestowe), Madi Andrews (St Kilda City), Michael Riseley (retirement) and Jordan McGeagh (Officer).
MESSAGE FROM WITHIN (Coach Clint Evans):
“There is no real expectation, we are still finding our feet (in Eastern),” he said.
“We played nine games, we were 3-6, beat two sides in the top four, lost to second side by two points then we lost to the middle range sides.
“It showed we can compete, it’s just the consistency that we have to get better. I think it is also more the boys understanding in this league you have to be up every week.
“We need to help Harry (Money) out, that’s for sure. We know he is a focal point, he is more of your forward pocket, half-forward, he can just jump and run, he is a different footballer.
“We have realised we have to help him out down there.
“We have a couple of talls we can put down there, Jai Neal, he has just made the Frankston list as well… we have the guys there that can help… we have the smalls there, we need some talls down there to help Harry out, that is why we have gone for youth this year.”
PREVIEW:
It won’t happen overnight for the Wickers.
Success in the top flight of the Eastern competition is hard to accomplish, but that doesn’t mean it won’t come.
Berwick is going with youth this year and that often leads to a hungry outfit, a group that is desperate to succeed.
The Wickers secured just the three wins from nine outings in the club’s debut Eastern Football League season, but on a positive finished only three games out of the top five and two of its wins came against the top four.
Clint Evans’ men need to find an additional avenue to goal, other than Harry Money. Money booted 24 in ’21, coming third in the league goal kicking, but the next best was Josh Burgess with 11.
It would be a stretch to expect finals from this younger group, but there is always trepidation in doubting such an honoured football club.
ROUND 1 OPPONENT:
South Croydon @ Edwin Flack Reserve – April 9
PREDICTED FINISH:
7th
PREDICTED LADDER:
Noble Park
Balwyn
Vermont
Norwood
South Croydon
Blackburn
Berwick
Doncaster East
Rowville
Park Orchards
North Ringwood
Doncaster
