By Tyler Lewis
Despite coming away strong victors, Gembrook Cockatoo coach Brad Coller has praised his lively opposition.
The Brookers and Berwick Springs have developed a somewhat close-town rivalry in Division One of Outer East and it’s meant for the utmost respect from Coller.
“I have always rated Berwick Springs,” he said.
The two sides met again on Saturday in what loomed to be an intense encounter with the Brookers and Titans inseparable in their last contest in May.
It was a different script this outing, as the Brookers stormed home 14.16 (100) to 8.16 (64) winners.
With such a vastly different score line to the previous match, Coller explained what his side learned from its round-seven draw.
“It was definitely a mindset thing,” he revealed.
“When we played them over at their ground, our preparation was no good and we didn’t turn up to play.
“There are always excuses for missing players, but you’re only as good as the team you put out on the park.
“That day at their park they turned up to play and absolutely smashed us in the first 20 minutes of the game, we didn’t self-correct while we were out there and it was eight goals to one.
“It was a fight from there.”
The Titans had 50 shots on goal in the week leading in, but were held well by the home side.
And while Coller admits it wasn’t a day for forwards, he believes it was the preparation that paid off this time round for his Brookers.
“It wasn’t a day for forwards, let’s put it that way,” he said.
“Our boy (competition leading goal-kicker Myles Wareham) down the other end kicked 2.5 and one out on the full I think, so it was definitely not a day for the forwards.
“But we thought our match-ups were really good and we did our homework on them from last time.
“They did a great job… I think three of them (Berwick Springs’ goals) came from their midfield, so only six on our backs, which was pretty good for a team we look at facing in the finals.”
Although the result appears comfortable, Coller still enjoys the way his opposition approaches the game and will never underestimate the Titans moving forward.
“Last year they took it up to us, they’re a young and energetic side that like to run,” he said.
“That’s something that’s always an advantage in country footy, I always like the way they play, I always consider them a danger team when we played them.”
The Brookers are currently two points clear of Emerald in second position, but will likely give that up with the bye this weekend.
In other results across Division One, Yarra Glen had the bye, Belgrave bravely went down to Emerald, 8.11 (59) to 10.12 (72) and Healesville pulled off a gripping upset win over Seville 6.11 (47) to 4.4 (28) to remain two wins clear of the Titans.
Healesville will welcome Berwick Springs this weekend, with the winner the more likely finals contender.
