By Marcus Uhe
“Embrace the grind”.
It’s the motto Berwick Springs are playing towards this year, and against Healesville it was in full-effect.
Having got the better of the Titans in round four by 30 points, Rod Benstead’s men knew what to expect in the return bout: an organised side that’s strong at stoppages and applies plenty of pressure on the ball carrier.
But led by Hayden Stagg and the returning pair of Chris Johnson and Daniel Ousley, the Titans fielded one of their strongest sides for the season and produced one of their most comprehensive performances, in the eyes of their coach.
“We came into this round in good form with a good selected team, and I think it was our best performance for four quarters,” Benstead said.
“What was of note was that there were no real individuals (stand out), it was a real team-first game where every player had moments.
“They went to work and did everything that I asked of them.
“We were able to be much stronger around the stoppages and we say ‘embrace the grind’, that’s what we want to do.
“We broke even or won that element of the game, and then from there, we were able to get plenty of looks up forward.”
Following a tight first quarter in which the scores were tied at the first break, the Titans kicked seven goals to two in the remaining three quarters to claim their fourth consecutive win, 10.16 76 to 5.9 39.
While Ty Ellison was held goalless for just the second time in 2023, his partner in crime Braydn Hoewel stepped-up with three to lead the goalkicking for the Titans, and Thomas Nelson added two.
Hoewel has been a key contributor for the Titans this season, providing an aerial threat up forward.
“He’s probably had double-digit marks two weeks in a row and that’s a good sign,” Benstead said.
“He sort of knows where the drop of the ball is going to be, he’s got really good hands and he’s confident and when he’s marking it really well, it’s good for us.
“It gives us an even spread when we go forward.
“You want more options when you go forward so that was exciting as well.
“I thought the backs were good and the work rate from the forwards, it’s an area that we’ve highlighted that we’re way down on forward 50 pressure and I’ve been really asking that every week, that I need more pressure from my forwards and I got that.
“On the bench coaching this week, players were coming off and that’s the most talk I’ve heard, that’s the best communication (all year).”
Tests don’t get more significant in Division One than Emerald at Emerald, but that’s exactly what the Titans will contend with this week.
The two sides played a thriller in round three, where the Bombers got the better of Benstead’s men by just four points.
Benstead said he is looking forward to the challenge and seeing what his side can produce.
“It’s exciting to go to their ground and it will be one where we can really measure ourselves,” he said.
“You put yourself in position to play big games and it’s good for everyone – the club, the individuals, the coaches.
“I guess you find out where your players are at, and that will be a good test.
“We think we can take it to them, that’s for sure.”
Emerald come into the contest as hot as can be, still undefeated after disposing of Hallam by 117 points at home, its largest victory of the campaign to date.
The Bombers extended their lead at every break, from 19, to 43, to 86 and finally triple figures at the final siren, saving their best for last with an eight-goal final quarter.
David Johnson led the way up forward with five goals and Jack McGough three on his return to the senior line-up, two of 13 individual goal scorers in the 22.12 144 to 3.9 27 thrashing.
For the Hawks, the stellar individual seasons of Harry Sharlassian, Adam Nekic and Matt Neve continued, as did Alex Kerr’s.
In a tight contest at Belgrave, Seville got the better of the Magpies by 22 points, thanks to six goals from Nathan O’Keefe.
Seville led by just four points at the half, but pulled away in the second half, kicking seven goals to Belgrave’s four.
