EFL 2022: Travis Tuck leads Berwick to breakthrough win

A former Hawk inspired Berwick to its maiden win of the season on Saturday – but it’s come at a cost with an injury to a star name.

An ex-AFL man has helped Berwick to a drought-breaking win in the Eastern league’s Premier Division.

The Wickers defeated North Ringwood, 11.10 (76) to 6.13 (49) on Saturday, led by former Hawk Travis Tuck with four goals to snap a winless run from seven starts.

The result consigns North Ringwood to the bottom of the ladder without a win, lifting Berwick six points clear following a draw earlier in the season.

Travis Tuck led the way for Berwick with four goals. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Berwick senior coach Clint Evans said the victory brought relief and jubilation – but had been soured by the early loss of Harry Money in the opening term.

He feared his star forward could be in for a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a suspected ACL injury but remained hopeful it could be less severe.

“Either way, if it’s an ACL he’s out for the year, but if it’s a sprain he’ll miss a fair chunk of the season,” Evans said.

Money’s exit prompted the move of midfielder Tuck into attack, who finished the game best afield earning high praise from the coach alongside centre half-back Joe West.

“We had to throw ‘Tucky’ down (forward) … it wasn’t a bad thing in the end but he was on one leg for nearly three quarters,” Evans said.

“And Joe’s had a fantastic four or five weeks … he’s probably an unheralded footballer, he’s playing some really good football, especially one-on-one, he hasn’t really been beaten over the last four weeks.

“Our backline’s probably our strength with most of our leaders down there.”

Berwick coach Clint Evans addressing players on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A “three or four goal” breeze swept Quambee Reserve as the Saints marched to a 17-point quarter-time lead, holding the visitors goalless.

Evans’ men slammed on 6.3 to 0.1 in the second term for a 21-point buffer at the main break, before North Ringwood cut the deficit to 12 by three-quarter time. But the coach credited his side’s fight ahead of the final-term surge with the wind.

Evans said Money’s injury had added to a challenging campaign with a host of key players missing.

Key position player Jai Neal (shoulder) and forward Tim Gunn (knee) are set to miss the season, while defender Ryan Bromley (ankle) could be back in four weeks. Premiership ruckman Jesse Cirulis is said to be six weeks away.

“We’ve given a lot of guys opportunities this year, we’ve played a lot of young kids – we’ve probably played nearly 30-35 guys already,” Evans said.

“Most weeks we’re going out with 8-10 guys that have played only 10 senior games. They’ve been thrown into the deep end and they’re doing a fairly good job.”

Berwick’s Charlie Muley finished with two goals on Saturday alongside Josh Burgess and Nick Green. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Berwick sits 11th on the ladder with a 1-6-1 record but Evans remains optimistic his side can avoid relegation at season’s end.

“I think you think about it (relegation) – I suppose you’re only human and every week we’ve been in more contests than when we haven’t,” he said.

“But we also think we can topple a few sides on our way home as well.”