By Marcus Uhe
Berwick Springs overcame a slow start to its contest against Seville to power home in the second half with a crucial victory at Mick Morland Reserve.
A strong third quarter in which the Titans kicked six goals to Seville’s three proved the difference in an even contest between two likely finalists, the final score reading 14.13 97 to 11.12 78.
The game restored balance to the rivalry after Seville thrashed the Titans by 108-points in round 13, and critically returns the Titans to second on the ladder.
Holding just a one-point lead at the half, the Titans charged out of the long break like a bull at a red rag, kicking two in the opening two minutes of play.
Ty Ellison added another in the fifth minute to establish a 19-point lead, before Hayden Stagg made it a 26-point game after just 12 minutes.
But Seville responded as good teams do, kicking the next three in a five-minute burst of its own to bring the Titans’ lead back to just nine points.
Plenty weighed on the contest with a likely top-two finish on the line, and Berwick Springs’ stars responded when most-needed.
Daniel Ousley made the most of a 25-metre penalty to convert late in the term before Thomas Nelson followed suit after a stunning contested mark, to restore a 21-point buffer late in the quarter.
Nelson then kicked the first three of the final term to put the contest beyond doubt.
Nelson was the best man on the ground with four goals, Ellison finishing with five as the brilliant Titans midfield fired once again, led by Hayden Stagg and Chris Johnson.
Sonny Saniga, Bailey Sciortino and Mark Cecere stood-out for Seville, with Cecere kicking three.
The result ensures that Berwick Springs will finish higher on the ladder should the two sides complete the year on the same match ratio percentage, having won the head-to-head ledger two games to one.
Officer withstood a late surge from Belgrave to maintain fourth spot on the table with a 14-point win over the Magpies in the Hills.
A nine-goals-to-two first half saw the Kangaroos lead by 39 points at the long break in what was shaping as a comfortable victory for the visitors.
But the Magpies edged their way back into the contest in the third term to cut the lead to 24 at the final break before kicking four of the final quarter’s five goals.
They weren’t able to swoop on a lead, however, as Daniel Charles’ side had built-up a strong enough advantage earlier in the game.
Aaron Miles celebrated his senior debut at Officer with three majors, with Trent McMahon also bagging a hat-trick.
Riley Wierzbicki continues to impress in the ruck, delivering pristine service to Luke Smaluch and co in the middle.
Corey Fritze nailed four for Belgrave while Daniel Ryan and Chris Westcott were among their best.
A brutal first quarter from Healesville ensured Hallam remains winless in 2023, flying out of the blocks with a seven goals.
The Hawks could only manage one in the first and none in the second as the game quickly slipped away from Scott Kerr’s side.
Hallam held-sway in the third with both sides kicking three, but five goals to one in the final term to the hosts secured the 89-point win, 17.22 124 to 5.5 35.
Jack Sharlassian kicked three for the Hawks, his brother Harry, Beau Gibbs and Mitchell Lambert flying the flag for the bottom-placed side.
Six goals to Healesville’s Sam Gebert grants him a six-goal buffer at the top of the goal kicker’s list.
