Pies hungry for win

By Mark Gullick
NARRE Warren secured its seventh grand final appearance of the last decade with a hard-fought 19-point win over Berwick at Toomuc Reserve on Sunday.
The Magpies face the unbeaten Cranbourne at Edwin Flack Reserve on Saturday to decide this year’s premiership.
Narre Warren’s incredible finals culture ensures they have another chance at the flag.
“Make no mistake, they’ve been the best side over the course of the year,” Narre Warren coach Chris Toner said.
“But it ain’t a game of tennis, it’s not best-of-three, it’s best-of-one, and we’re getting our chance.”
Cranbourne smashed Narre Warren by 71 points in round three and by 57 points in round 14. However, that margin was misleading, as the Magpies held a five-goal lead midway through the third term before the Eagles stormed home.
Each coach gleaned a lot of intelligence about their players that day.
“We felt at different stages of that game that we had a chance,” Toner said.
“They were too good then, and I think our boys got a little bit of stage fright. We were playing very strongly and then we thought, gee, we’re in front, and we took the foot off the pedal a little bit.”
Eagles’ boss Doug Koop said his players took a lot from the win.
Meanwhile, the Magpies outlasted a dogged Berwick in a dour struggle at Pakenham on Sunday.
It took Berwick until the 27-minute mark of the second term to secure its first goal, and by that stage, Narre Warren had kicked five majors.
Narre Warren kicked the opening goal of the third term, before Berwick booted the next three in a run of inspired football.
The Wickers looked the better team, but couldn’t capitalise on their lively rush, as the Magpies’ defence held firm.
A late Andrew Hunter goal gave Narre Warren a 13-point lead.
Dylan Quirk kicked an important Magpies goal two minutes into the last term, but over the next 15 minutes, Narre Warren couldn’t put Berwick away.
Chance after chance went begging as the Magpies missed the big sticks or made poor choices.
Goals to Andrew Tuck and Vergim Faik dragged Berwick within 11 points, but the Magpies controlled the contest.
Jackson Parker goaled after the final siren to confirm the Magpies’ win.
“We were always going to have to play well to beat them,” Toner said.
“They touched us up a couple of weeks ago and I suppose you sometimes learn more from your losses than your wins.”
Narre Warren was led by young defender Ben King, the tough Clay Peresso and wingman Josh Tonna.
Berwick coach Dean Rice was disappointed, but pleased with the season.
“We won a final for the first time in 12 years, made the preliminary final for the first time in 12 years and the reserves made the finals for the first time in 10 years,” Rice said.
“The under-18s will play in the grand final. The club is heading in the right direction and it’s just a matter of time until we have success.”
Berwick’s best players were youngsters Chris McKay and Kristian Meredith in defensive roles and Luke Sheppard through the midfield.