Berwick Miners Lee Lindsay (number 69) and Yanie Kupie (60) face off against their ACT Monarchs opponents in the two sides’ controlled scrimmage at Sydney Pargeter Reserve.By Marc McGowan
THE Berwick Miners have emerged from their two-day training camp at Sydney Pargeter Reserve with the belief they can challenge for the Gridiron Victoria title this year.
Miners head coach Mel Martin, who is back in the role after overseeing the club from 1996 to 1999, believes this year’s rookies are set to light up the competition.
He singled out recruit Rick Brown for his performance at the camp and earmarked him for one of Berwick’s starting wide receiver spots.
Defensive end Poa Iuta, who has been on the roster for a couple of years, was another standout.
Martin also praised starting quarterback Sam Walker.
“The younger players from last year are starting to step up. Sam Walker is taking much more of a leadership role,” he said.
“The camp was more successful (than previous years) because of the team aspect of things.
“We ran our training sessions like we did last year, but the team aspect seems to be coming together a hell of a lot better than it did the last couple of years.
“That is credit not only to the rookies who’ve come in, but also the returners who saw we needed to improve in that area and are making a conscious effort.”
The Australian Capital Territory Monarchs gridiron side also joined the Miners’ training camp.
Martin said the Monarchs’ officials were just as chuffed with the camp.
“They arrived on the Saturday afternoon and we had a dinner and social gathering for them,” he said.
“Then they arrived at 7.15am or 7.30am the next morning and trained with us all day and then we had a controlled scrimmage, which is not quite a game, but is basically along the lines of a real game, for two hours on Sunday afternoon.
“The feedback we’re getting from ACT is they thought it was absolutely fantastic.”
Berwick will feature an all-new backfield this season, with usual starting running back Shahid Malimar switching to defence.
Irish recruits Andrew Crawford and Craig Vitale and fellow newcomers Jamie Jamison and Tom Pitt will fight for carries.
Last year’s head coach Darren Shaw will be defensive coordinator in 2009, with the retired Dale Warren as offensive co-ordinator.
Former club presidents Peter Freker and John Murphy return as assistant coaches, while Donte Newton is defensive assistant coach.
Martin is confident the Miners will be a force despite Warren’s and Rob Zimmerman’s retirements.
“We have got a lot of rookies, but they have a lot of talent and a considered opinion is we will see an improved Miners from the last couple of years in that we’ll serious challenge for the championship this year,” he said.
Berwick’s first game is against the Western Crusaders at Sydney Pargeter Reserve on Sunday, 17 May.
