Miners dig up a future

By Gavin Staindl
AFTER much digging, the Berwick Miners have picked out some rough gems that may lead the gridiron team to riches this year.
Led by long-time coach Mel Martin, the Miners are intent on ushering in a new era of gridiron in the region after the team looked like caving at the end of last year with multiple departures.
Hanging up the boots was co-captain Mark Petana as well as inside line backer Donte Newton and offensive linemen Josh Luke and Dave Carson.
The Malimar brothers, Shahid and Kabir, also had to postpone their full-time involvement as work commitments will disrupt their season.
But with 110 signings at the beginning of the year, including an influx of players from the disbanded Southern Seahawks, the Miners have quickly accounted for the departures.
Filling in the shoes of ex co-captain Mark Patana and quarterback Sam Walker is ex-Seahawks starting quarterback Andrew Nixon who was elected team captain. The 21-year-old was used as back-up quarterback for Victoria in the recent national championships held this year and has impressed Martin ever since he arrived last November. “He is very enthusiastic and wants to learn. He is young and will make mistakes but he is improving all the time,” Martin said.
Martin has built the offence around the technically gifted QB, which may well mean a lot of explosive offence this season.
Adding to the offensive line are young, quick receivers Trevor Marks, Ben Lam, Jesse Storten, Andrew Jarvis and Sam Walker.
Filling the shoes of Newton and Carson is inside linebacker Dan Pollard and offensive linesman Lee Bailey. But Martin stopped short in saying that his new recruits could fill the void left by the departures.
“They were very experienced players and it is hard to replace that,” Martin said.
But Martin is optimistic that after a stop-start pre-season he can continue to mould his young side into a powerhouse. “Pre-season has been a mixed bag but the players are very excited and enthusiastic so even if we don’t make finals this year the future is bright for us,” Martin said.