By Tyler Lewis
With its short history in mind, Berwick Springs’ win over Healesville on the weekend is arguably the best the club has recorded.
The Titans came into the match at Mick Morland Reserve just two points behind their upcoming opponent and – more importantly – outside the four.
And while the importance of the clash didn’t escape the home side, the Titans were caught napping in the first term, allowing Healesville to boot seven goals to their two.
A typically resilient and bubbly Rodney Benstead admittedly wasn’t himself at the quarter-time address, as he made sure his side was aware of his disdain surrounding the lack of effort.
“You’re reluctant to put too much pressure on them, but it was, it was a defining game for us,” he said.
“For them to kick seven goals to our two was pretty disappointing and it was probably the second real bake I have given them at quarter-time.
“I was extremely disappointed with the discipline and the commitment and all of those sort of things, but as a club we have grown and I had a lot of belief so I told them we can win the next three quarters and win this game, but it starts at the contest.
“That’s what they did, we played our brand of football and once we get rolling we’re pretty hard to stop.”
The Titans responded accordingly, kicking 15 goals to the Bloods four after the first change, to ultimately come away with a stunning 17.14 (116) to 11.11 (77) win.
The win was highlighted by a sensational specky from livewire forward Tom Nelson.
While the footage and images of Nelson’s cloud-brushing climb are jaw-dropping, Benstead believes it was far, far more impressive live.
“You had to be there,” he said.
“I had my under-12’s there, I coach the under-12’s too, and I saw it and the photos and videos don’t do it justice because he just got up that high.
“It’s as good a mark I have seen at local footy. Being live it took your breath away, good on you Tommy.
“He is an exciting young player and we have a few kids in that boat that can turn that on, that’s what you want local footy to be about, give the fans some of that excitement.
“I was happy to bring that up at half-time, because I think moments (like that) are really important and you should celebrate them.”
The win for the Titans boosts them inside the Division 1 top four.
In other results across Division 1: Seville smacked Belgrave 17.20 (122) to 8.3 (51) and Emerald scooted to a comfortable win over Yarra Glen 14.12 (96) to 9.7 (61).
