By Mark Gullick
BERWICK hosts Narre Warren on Saturday in a battle for second place on the Casey Cardinia Football League ladder.
The Magpies are on the road for successive weeks and will take strong form into its contest at Edwin Flack Reserve.
Without several key components, Narre Warren has reconfigured its forward half – and it is working.
Aaron McIver, Michael Collins and Ben Wragg rotate through the midfield and forward line, which is yielding results on the scoreboard.
Berwick is fresh off the bye, which according to coach Dean Rice, was very timely.
Rice knows that his team faces a massive month.
“The next three weeks are huge for us,” Rice said.
“We play Narre Warren, Cranbourne and Pakenham. They’re probably the three sides, with Cranbourne at the top, who are the teams to beat this year.”
In the opening round, Berwick shocked Narre Warren by four goals, after producing a brilliant team effort.
DOVETON v NARRE WARREN
NARRE Warren destroyed Doveton by 83 points at Robinson Reserve on Saturday.
The Magpies dominated the contest from the opening bounce and completely outplayed the meek home side.
“It started bad and got worse,” Doveton coach Mark Ladgrove said.
“It was a let-down. We just didn’t have the ball; they would have had the ball 70 per cent of the day and they just destroyed us on the scoreboard.”
Narre took the howling wind out of the equation early, with two quick goals, and led by 56 points come half-time.
Nine goals to six in the second half confirmed another strong Magpies win.
Josh Tonna was brilliant; the young Magpie sliced through the Doveton midfield with pace and skill.
Youngster Adam Giobbi, champion midfielder Michael Collins and Aaron McIver (four goals) led the Magpies charge.
BEACONSFIELD v DEVON MEADOWS
SEVEN goals capped off a stunning return by Andrew Williams as he helped Beaconsfield to a comprehensive 12-goal win over Devon Meadows.
The gun utility made his comeback with the Eagles after retiring at the end of last season due to family reasons, but was lured out of retirement for the clash at Perc Allison Oval.
Williams roamed through the forward line and used his experience to play an influential role in the result.
Beaconsfield led by 20 points at the first break and held a 41-point advantage at half-time as it overpowered a hapless Panthers outfit.
Damien Szwaja starred in his 100th senior match, while Williams, captain Daniel Mislicki, who rotated between half-forward and the midfield, and defender Daniel Battaglin were prominent.
Beaconsfield has the bye this round.
