By DAVID NAGEL
ONLY the fine-line that separates the top from bottom half on the Casey Cardinia league ladder has cushioned Berwick’s fall after the Wickers went down to Cranbourne by 34 points at Edwin Flack Reserve on Saturday.
The Wickers were flying-high, in second position after round eight, with seven wins and one loss seeing them touted as Narre Warren’s most serious premiership threat. But losses in their last five outings have seen their credibility lost, and it can’t be found again until finals begin on the last weekend in August.
Berwick started brilliantly against the Eagles, with 5.7 on the board before the visitors scored their first point of the match at the 31-minute mark of the first term. Nathan Waite was dominating up forward, but the home-side’s inability to capitalise on its opportunities – to hurt the Eagles where it counts – well … it soon came back to haunt.
The Eagles responded with nine of the next 10 goals, to take an advantage that they held through the third quarter, and then built on, late in the final term. Michael Theodoridis was the best player on the ground, kicking four for the winners, while skipper Marc Holt and Tim Smith booted three apiece.
Mitch Johnson kicked three for Berwick, while Madi Andrews and Jake Gains were once again solid four-quarter contributors.
Narre Warren has typically shown no mercy, having a remarkable 23 shots at goal in the last quarter on its way to a thumping 233-point victory over Keysborough.
The back-to-back champs’ 15.8 final term was their second 15-goal last quarter of the season, backing up a 15.7 effort against ROC in round seven, that’s just plain scary isn’t it?
Kerem Baskaya and Toby McLean bagged eight each, and Aaron McIver seven for the Magpies, while regular full-back Ryan Morrison relished a stint on the wing, kicking two goals in a best-on-ground performance.
Beaconsfield has ended the faint finals hopes of ROC with a 33-point victory at Starling Road. The Eagles struggled to break free of the Kangaroos in the first half, but a 5.3 to 1.1 third term put the result beyond doubt. Brent Heus and Tyson Mitchem chimed in with three goals each for the Eagles while defenders Jayden Gee and Daniel Battaglin were other standout performers.
Ben O’Loughlin and Billy Carlyle were best for the Kangaroos who wasted the chance to join the Eagles on seven wins each for the season.
Third-placed Pakenham was made to work hard, but still won all four quarters in its 32-point victory over Tooradin. The Lions, who have won 10 of their last 11 outings, led by 16 points at half time, before a 5.3 to 3.1 third term secured a precious four premiership points. Daniel Fry snagged five for the Lions, while Cory Lenders with three, and debutant Jake Smith were two of the better players on the ground. Paddy Chin and Julian Suarez slotted three each for the Gulls.
Doveton has made it five wins on end, recovering from a slow start to defeat Hampton Park by 45 points at Robert Booth Reserve. The Doves were a bit flustered during a fiery first term as the Redbacks kicked an efficient 6.0 to 4.3 to lead by nine points at the first break. The Doves soon turned things around however, with Taylor Rainey and Ricky Hayes kicking three goals each and Michael Henry and Shannon Henwood playing great games through the midfield. Matt Cox was terrific for the Redbacks, slotting five goals as a lone-hand up forward.
