EFNL 2024: Why Berwick refresh has coach bullish
It’s a changing of the guard at Eastern Premier club Berwick, with a host of top-liners moving on. But the coach is backing youth. Here’s why.
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BERWICK’s departures have been vast – but an injection of youth has senior coach Clint Evans bullish.
The Wickers have waved goodbye to a string of top-end talent, including livewire forward Harry Money and defender Anthony Vella (Langwarrin), while Charlie Muley (Beaconsfield), Joseph West and Jayden Graham have also moved on.
“We’ll be the baby Wickers, that’s for sure – we’ll have an average age of about 20,” Evans said.
“Pretty much our whole list has turned over since we’ve been here (EFNL) – I reckon there’s maybe three or four guys left from when we started.
“It happens at every club, but it’s sort of gone ‘bang’ this year with what other clubs are offering, but it gives opportunities to young kids.”
Evans declared there was “a heap of upside” to the emerging talent.
Ben Todd (Collingwood VFL), Sam Frangalas (Richmond) are among the Wickers in state league programs, while Harrison Canning (Gippsland Power) is also touted as one to watch.
“We’ve got fantastic kids coming through and our under-19s played off in a granny,” Evans said.
“We think if we can hold on, in the next three or four years we’ll be around the mark.
“We’re averaging 70 at training … we’ve got two under-19s sides and there’s about 12 under-19s coming through, and we’ve got guys who are on VFL lists who’ll hopefully come back to us.
“There’s a heap of upside, but it might be two steps back to take one step forward.
“We’ll get a lot of games into kids this year and hopefully for the growth of the footy club, that’s what I want to see.”
Former St Kilda rookie Josiah Kyle headlines the inclusions amid a quiet off-season of recruiting.
The 20-year-old was added to the Saints’ list following the 2021 national draft, stepping away from the AFL club in June 2022.
He linked with Southern’s Doveton Doves soon after, before playing for MPFNL side Devon Meadows in ’23. He trained with VFL outfit Box Hill before Christmas.
Evans slated Kyle for a half-forward role with the Wickers, pinch-hitting on-ball and on the wing.
“We hope he gets his body right and enjoys it, because he does know a fair few boys that he played (Dandenong) Stingrays with,” Evans said.
“He could be an asset … the way he trains, it’s exciting, that’s for sure … he can jump and he can run.
“We’ve got a fair few like him – young kids that have got a bit of pace, so it’ll help, especially on our ground.”
Berwick finished last season in ninth of the Eastern league Premier Division’s 12 teams with six wins from 18 starts.
“I think we’re good enough to compete (this year), but I don’t know what to expect until we start practice matches,” Evans said.
“The kids that are coming up really want to play senior footy.
“There’s a lot there that we can pick from, that’s for sure.”
Berwick begins its season away to reigning premier Rowville on Saturday, April 13.
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