EFL Premier Division: Depleted Berwick upsets Park Orchards

One on-baller played the ‘best game I’ve seen him play for the club’ according to the coach – but he wasn’t the only standout in Berwick’s rout.

No starting ruckmen and a depleted midfield – no worries.

Berwick withstood a last-gasp fightback from Park Orchards in the Eastern league’s Premier Division on Saturday to record a thrilling boilover.

Prevailing 13.9 (87) to 11.13 (79), the Wickers soldiered to their second win of the season despite a raft of late omissions.

Ruckmen Charlie Muley and Makuei Andrew pulled out on the Friday afternoon while gun midfielders Travis Tuck and Anthony Vella also missed.

Senior coach Clint Evans said his young group’s “relentless pressure” helped set the victory up in the opening three quarters, as Berwick stormed to a 40-point lead at the final change.

But the Sharks had other ideas, piling on six goals to one in the last term as they threatened to steal the match.

Berwick coach Clint Evans. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“They made us a bit worried, that’s for sure,” Evans said.

“We knew they were going to come, it was just when … at the 17-minute mark (of the fourth quarter) we were still 39 points up, so they kicked four quick ones to put a bit of pressure on, but they’re a quality side.

“With the side we had in, we were always going to get tired.

“The last 15 minutes they (Park Orchards) were fantastic but in saying that in the last three or four minutes our boys were really good in holding them off.”

There wasn’t an adjective strong enough to capture the coach’s praise for on-baller Bryce Rutherford, who stepped up in the absence of Tuck.

“He was fantastic – best game I’ve seen him play for the club,” Evans said.

“He pretty much played on-ball all game, his toughness going back with the flight three or four times, and his work around the stoppages, was just huge for us.

“Especially with ‘Tucky’ out, he just had to take on an even bigger role than what he’s done, and he was unbelievable on the weekend.”

Berwick’s Bryce Rutherford played a blinder, coach Clint Evans says. Picture:AAP/ Chris Eastman

Evans also lauded the performance of debutant Bryce Curtis, who held his own shouldering the rucking duties in the absence of the two starters.

Meanwhile, Ashton Williamson bagged three goals alongside Jonte Andrew (two), as Andrejs Everitt snagged three for the Sharks.

The win lifts Berwick two-and-a-half games clear of last-placed North Ringwood, while also bringing Park Orchards’ run of two consecutive wins to a halt.

Saturday’s result spoke volumes of the group’s character according to Evans.

“We’ve played 41 senior players this year so far and yesterday we had 12 of our best 22 out. It shows we’ve got a bit of depth there,” he said.

“We’ve played 10 games, take two of them out and we’ve been in every single game … we don’t feel like we’re the second-bottom side (and) it’s a massive credit to the boys, that’s for sure.”

Berwick is away to Doncaster East in Round 11 while Park Orchards travels to North Ringwood.