By Tyler Lewis
With such a confined competition in Division 1 of AFL Outer East, one win is all it takes to regain momentum.
That’s precisely what’s happened for Berwick Springs.
The Titans torpedoed Yarra Glen on Saturday and have bounced from a 0-3 start to knocking on the door of the top four.
Rodney Benstead’s men haven’t been far away, but have often misfired in front of goal.
But on Saturday, the Berwick Springs unit had the view finder on target, particularly in the opening half.
“It really was, when you’re kicking goals – we have missed opportunities in the last few weeks – we got our confidence early,” Benstead said of how pleasing his side’s first half was.
“We were thought we were playing some good football, but we wanted some confidence to show that on the scoreboard.
“When we got that great start, it was full credit to the boys because they worked hard and have built each week.
“They have improved each week, we were hoping for an improved performance this week and we got it.”
The Titans filled their boots in the final term, kicking a further six goals to zip to put a stamp of emphasis on the 16.15 (111) to 2.6 (18) win.
But despite the Titans previously being an outfit in which opposition clubs have cashed in on, Benstead was keeping his men – and supporters – level headed before the bounce.
“Before the game a couple of supporters were getting ahead of themselves and thinking this game was going to happen and I said to them, we have done nothing and are second bottom on the ladder,” he said.
“I think the boys saw it as an opportunity, they knew they’d been playing okay, but just hadn’t had a win.
“They were desperate to get a win and had plenty of energy and effort throughout the day, that was the most pleasing thing.”
After getting off the mark and Belgrave in its sights this week, the Titans should finish next round inside the four, but Benstead isn’t getting ahead of the present and is focusing on general improvement each week.
“We just think it’s a marathon, we have good depth at the club so the pressure is on everyone,” he said.
“We want to keep lifting our standards, the pressure is on all, but it’s good pressure, the twos are winning and now we get an opportunity to play these teams three times – we have learned a lot and feel we can progress our footy to the next level.
“Everyone has to be engaged and involved… we are excited, but we have Belgrave this week we see that as an opportunity as well.”
In other matches across the Division 1 competition; Seville flexed its muscles over Emerald, 10.18 (78) to 5.9 (39); Gembrook Cockatoo defeated Healesville 9.21 (75) to 5.3 (33) and Belgrave had the bye.
