By Mark Gullick
BERWICK hosts Doveton in a highly-anticipated clash at Edwin Flack Reserve on Saturday.
Owing to superior percentage, the Wickers can leapfrog third-placed Doveton with victory.
Doveton will rely on ruckman Clint Wilson, midfielders Aaron Henwood, John Atwell, Ryan Pearson and Michael Henry, along with forwards Ryan Hendy and Peter Pullen to figure prominently.
Nathan Waite and Andrew Morozoff form a strong forward combination, while captain Jason Kelly, Yilber Zijai, ruckman Steve Finlayson and midfielders Brett Robinson, Andrew Tuck and Nathan Page will lead Berwick.
Waite kicked six goals for Berwick last Saturday against ROC – who were also aided by Stephen Hawkins kicking six goals for the home side. Berwick set up victory in the second term, when it kicked six goals.
BEACONSFIELD travels to Keysborough and will attempt to get its season back on track.
Last year, the home side defeated the flying Eagles and this match shapes as another tough encounter.
The Eagles are far from flying this season, and lost to Pakenham by 43 points last weekend.
The Lions kicked seven goals to two in the final term to set up the win.
NARRE Warren travels to Officer to face ROC.
In the final round last year, ROC defeated the Magpies, who one month later held the premiership cup aloft.
ROC has improved since then and should provide a challenge.
“They’ve got the Tivendale brothers and they’re very good players,” Magpies coach Chris Toner said. “It’s a game we have to win, we’ve got to get back into the five. It’s very even, you’ve just got to keep winning games.”
The Magpies will be without Brendan Fevola this round, after he booted 10 goals for them on Saturday.
Fevola’s double figure mark helped the Magpies to a 70-point win over Tooradin. The Magpies kicked 13 goals to seven in the second half.
