EFNL 2025: Why there’s ‘no real ceiling’ on Andrew Williams’ Berwick

“Young and enthusiastic” and with some handy inclusions, Berwick coach Andrew Williams isn’t setting a limit on what his group could achieve this season in Eastern’s Premier Division.

EFNL 2025: Ex-Dandy Stingray Tahj De La Rue is among Berwick’s emerging crop. Picture: BlackbootPhotography

Incoming Berwick coach Andrew Williams believes there’s “no real ceiling” on what his emerging group could achieve this year against the Eastern league’s seasoned combatants.

Williams landed the senior role in August as the club narrowly avoided relegation from the top division with a final-round victory over Norwood.

“That (staying in Premier Division) was the goal for the club and it’s been a positive start retaining the majority of the list and bringing in a couple of guys,” he said.

“The buy-in and the work we’ve been able to do over the summer is enormous – I think there’s going to be natural improvement there … we’re young and enthusiastic.”

Andrew Williams called the shots at Monbulk for five years. Picture: Hamish Blair

Headlining the Wickers’ inclusions is club favourite Jordy Andrews, injecting around 500 goals’ experience as he returns after a three-year stint with Dromana in the MPFNL.

Andrews won a Division 1 flag in his time away while also earning a Team of the Year gong.

“He’s just a great fella to have around the club – brings a real energy, great for the young guys and he’ll be a really good focal point for us all year,” Williams said.

Eighteen-year-old Tahj De La Rue has also put pen to paper, after 17 matches for the Dandenong Stingrays last season as well as senior football with Pakenham.

The versatile talent could feature through the midfield, across half-back or up forward according to Williams.

“He’s got a ton of ability and he’s just a great kid – wants to learn and wants to take his footy to the next level,” Williams said.

“I think we’re a really good fit for him and he’ll great opportunity to play against some of the best in the comp.

“He’s just a natural ball-winner and quite adaptable.”

Ravaged by injuries in a two-win campaign last year, key defender Will Arthurson heads the list of returning Wickers after a late pre-season ACL injury ruled him out for 2024.

Arthurson won the club’s best and fairest in 2023 and was named in the Premier Division Team of the Year, following a VFL stint with Frankston.

Will Arthurson during his VFL stint. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

“He’s going to be a massive inclusion for us – he’s obviously a leader of the club and the way he reads the footy and uses it, he’s huge,” Williams said.

“There were a lot of other guys battling their bodies and we did talk in the pre-season about making sure we’re well-conditioned.

“We’ve been able to get plenty of work into these guys, so with a bit of luck we’ll keep them on the park.”

Meanwhile, 2024 Team of the Year defender Caleb Van Oostveen “hasn’t missed a beat”.

“He’ll be part of our leadership group and the way he goes about it is first-class, early to training working on his game and only sort of knows one way – the highest intensity,” Williams said.

Williams returns to senior coaching after a season off, previously steering Outer East club Monbulk for five years following time as head of development and senior assistant at the Northern Blues in the VFL.

The 46-year-old – who played 116 AFL games across West Coast and Collingwood from 1998-2005 – said it had been a seamless transition back into the hot seat.

“To see the amount of fresh talent who are enthusiastic and just want to learn and get better, I’ve loved every bit of it,” Williams said.

“The buy-in from the group, and the way the club has just welcomed me, allowed me to go about my business and try to take this group forward has been massive.

“For me, there’s no real ceiling on where we can go with it.”

Berwick opens its season away to Doncaster East on April 12.