By DAVID NAGEL
NARRE Warren has sent more than a friendly reminder that its South East Football Netball League premiership hopes are alive and well with a 33-point victory over title-holders Beaconsfield at Holm Park Reserve.
The Magpies, the perennial powerhouse of the league, had uncharacteristically lost back-to-back games against Pakenham and Berwick in rounds two and three to raise doubts about their ability to dominate the competition like they have in recent years.
But they bounced back against quality opposition on Saturday; coach Chris Toner proud of his side for bouncing back after the 49-point defeat to the Wickers.
“We hit rock-bottom against Berwick, that’s about as bad as we’ve ever got, and we just had a bit of think time to reassess the way we play and reassess every aspect of our game,” Toner said.
“Sometimes when you get belted it puts the wheels in motion because you don’t have the excuses that you use when you lose the close ones.
“We were challenged, they came back at us in the last quarter but, when the game was on the line, we stepped it up.
“We might have turned the corner, so it was a pretty good day for us.”
The Magpies kicked out to a 37-point lead, 19 minutes into the third quarter, before repelling a strong Eagles’ comeback in the final term.
Kerem Baskaya kicked five and Michael Collins and Hayden Stagg three each for the winners, a tally matched by Taylor Joyce and Beau Dowler for Beacy.
Pakenham remains the only unbeaten side in the SEFNL after surviving a late charge from Cranbourne at Toomuc Reserve.
The Lions, with Russ Lehman, Dean Blake and Chris Smith in sizzling form through the midfield, kicked out to a 52-point lead late in the second term before the visitors struck back hard.
Max Gearon and Luke Bee-Hugo reversed the midfield trend in the second half, providing the magnificent Marc Holt with the opportunity to kick seven goals for the afternoon.
Jake Smith kicked four for the Lions who sealed a 16-point victory with a late goal to Troy Toussaint.
Six goals to Ben Kearns and five to Ash Smith were the highlights of Berwick’s thumping 159-point victory over Hampton Park.
Michael Riseley, Tim Gunn, James Phillips and Madi Andrews were other fine contributors for the navy blues, who have now won three on the trot.
Aaron Holden and Nathan Dawes were best for the Redbacks.
ROC clinched its first win of the season over Tooradin in the WorkSafe AFL Vic. Country Game of the Month at Tooradin on Sunday.
Sean Roach was a pivotal figure in the ruck for the Kangaroos while Matt Ford, Blair Allan and Matt Rogers chimed in with two goals apiece.
Adam Splatt and Kyle Van Der Pluym snagged two each for the still winless Seagulls.
