AFL Outer-East: Berwick and Narre Warren usher in the new league with a cracker
Berwick and Narre Warren farewelled the old South-East Football Netball League and ushered in AFL Outer-East with a season-opener at Edwin Flack Reserve on Saturday.
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Berwick and Narre Warren farewelled the old South-East Football Netball League and ushered in AFL Outer-East with a season-opener at Edwin Flack Reserve on Saturday.
In a stand-alone fixture brought forward from round 9, the Wickers and Magpies staged the latest instalment of their great rivalry, one that includes the last two SEFNL grand finals.
Berwick eventually prevailed, 10.17 (77) to 10.11 (71), but not until after Narre had closed the grand final gap by more than 50 points and showed that both sides will be among the frontrunners in the league’s debut season.
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On a stunning autumn day, in front of a 1000-strong crowd, Berwick president Glenn Gambetta unfurled the very last SEFNL premiership flag before the two sides took to the park for the first bounce of the new era.
In a drama-filled opening term, with both sides losing players to injury, Narre Warren held Berwick goalless and led by 10 points at quarter-time.
The home side then hit back with a five-goal second quarter and edged its nose in front by four points at the half and stretched that to 13 points at the last change with a couple of goals from Harrison Money.
The young Magpies were not done, however, and dragged themselves level late in the game, courtesy of goals from Mitchell Cox and Michael Collins, before Money took his final tally to four goals with a couple of late ones to secure the win.
Despite the defeat Narre Warren coach Matt Shinners said his young side, which fielded no fewer than five first-gamers, would take a lot out of the opening round hitout.
“We probably cost ourselves the game with a few silly mistakes in the final quarter,” he said. “We turned the ball over at crucial stages.
“I said to the guys after the match that we had our chances and so did they.
“There was high levels of pressure and high standard footy.”
While Saturday’s clash gave SEFNL followers the chance to farewell their league in style, Shinners said it hadn’t felt like an encore performance for the former league.
“No, we kissed that league goodbye after last year’s grand final,” he said. “This is a new era and we’re pretty excited about it.”
Travis Tuck kicked two goals to back Money’s haul of four while Nick Hillard and William Arthurson were instrumental in the Berwick win.
For Narre Warren, Aaron Wilson kicked three and Collins two while Nathan Foote, Dylan Quirk and Trent Cody earned the nod as the three best.
This weekend, Berwick faces the eagerly-awaited test of strength between the last premiers of the two leagues when it takes on Wandin, at Wandin, on Sunday.
Narre Warren will have its first crossover game when it takes on Olinda Ferny Creek at the Olinda Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
THE SEASON OPENER
Berwick v Narre Warren
Edwin Flack Reserve (Saturday, April 6)
Berwick 0.5 5.8 8.12 10.17 (77)
Narre Warren 2.3 5.4 7.5 10.11 (71)
BERWICK Goal Kickers: H. Money 4, T. Tuck 2, A. Morozoff, T. Gunn, T. Thomas, B. Asher Best Players: N. Hillard, W. Arthurson, H. Money, J. Bergman, A. Smith, J. West
NARRE WARREN Goal Kickers: A. Wilson 3, M. Collins 2, T. Miller, L. Benson, M. Cox, J. Tonna, P. Gentile Best Players: N. Foote, D. Quirk, T. Cody, J. Richardson, M. Dempster, B. Delves
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