EFNL 2025: The moments that mattered in Berwick’s one-point boilover of Doncaster East

Kicking just three goals to three-quarter time on Saturday, the Wickers rattled home to send its highly-fancied opponent tumbling out of the Eastern Premier Division top-five.

Caydn Lane was among Berwick’s best on Saturday. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Another big tick for Andrew Williams’ emerging side.

Berwick claimed a second top-five scalp on Saturday in Eastern’s Premier Division, edging Doncaster East by a point.

Kicking just three majors to the final change and trailing by 15 points, the Wickers rattled home with six last-quarter goals in the 9.7 (61) to 9.6 (60) pickpocket.

The most important of all would come off the boot of former Gippsland Power talent Harry Canning, who kicked truly with “two or three minutes to go” according to coach Williams.

The kick would consign the Lions to a third-straight defeat – and a slide to seventh – while sending Edwin Flack Reserve into raptures as the club claimed its second victory of the season.

“He took a really clutch mark deep inside our defensive 50, and we were lucky enough to repel any charge they had from there,” Williams said of Canning, who played 14 matches for the Power last season, along with two in the seniors.

But it wasn’t the only deciding moment.

“We had to dig in,” Williams added.

“Will Arthurson smothered a shot from (former Carlton and Brisbane player) Tom Bell which gave us a restart and we were able to hold on from there.

“It was a real character-building win for our young group … it was just a relief at the end.”

Meanwhile, former Dandenong Stingray Jai Neal “did the majority of the damage”, booting 5.4, to feature among the best with Daniel Pinter, Ashton Williamson, Tahj De La Rue, Kane Hurst and Caydn Lane.

Fresh off a 15-point loss to a Mitcham outfit hunting its first victory, Williams said his charges had a point to prove on Saturday.

“I think it was just one of those days where we came and had a really strong resolve after last week for a disappointing game at Mitcham,” he said.

“You could just tell the boys were there to play and commit to each other.

“If you don’t turn up at this level of footy, you’re going to get what you deserve. Full credit to Doncaster East, they went right to the end as well.”

Some of the young guys who had some ups and downs, did some really big jobs for us and we were rapt the way they responded and stood up.

The victory lifts the Wickers to a 2-8 record – a game and percentage clear of Mitcham in the dreaded relegation zone in last place.

It may be one of the youngest outfits in Eastern’s Premier Division, but Williams declared his side held no fear.

“The belief is there that our best footy is good enough against any opposition … when we’re strong in (pressure around the ball), we’re a really good unit that is hard to score against,” Williams said.

“Riding the highs and lows together, when you get over the line against good sides, it makes it all worthwhile.”