By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE Berwick Miners’ spirits were high leading into their clash with the Geelong Buccaneers in Gridiron Victoria Division 1 action on Saturday.
They’d just come off a stirring 13-12 win the previous week over the Western Crusaders – a side they hadn’t beaten since 2009 – but they were facing a battle against a mounting injury crisis, let alone the Buccaneers, who fought out last year’s Vic Bowl Championship against the Monash Warriors.
The Miners were particularly strong on the offensive end in their win over the Crusaders under a new scheme by Victorian gridiron stalwart and club legend Mel Martin, who has returned to the head coaching role this season.
But the luckless Casey side was ravaged by injury even further at the Corio Community Reserve on Saturday, going down 26-6.
“We were pretty confident going into the game but of 11 in our starting defense, eight were on the sideline with injury,” Martin said.
“Our starting full-back and one of our main running backs was out too.
“We played with a lot of heart, but we’ve just been hit really hard with injury.
“I’d say it’s well and truly within the realms of possibility that’s the last time they’ll beat us in a while.”
The Miners will look to rebound quickly this weekend at Ranger Field in Croydon, but their task gets even harder – facing the Warriors from 10.30am on Saturday without starting quarterback Sam Walker.
Brad Ferguson, Berwick’s star wide receiver, will move into the quarterback role – in which he trained over the pre-season.
“I’m expecting the boys to play hard, but with our full-back, quarterback, wide receiver, and both inside linebackers we’re dealing with some serious injuries,” Martin explained.
“Miracles can happen – we’ll be playing to win – but we are coming up against a side in the Warriors that has won the championship the last three years running.”
The Miners, whose Rawling Field home base is at Sydney Pargeter Reserve in Endeavour Hills, are now fifth on the super tight Division 1 ladder, just two points adrift of the Rangers in second position.
