Magpies fly highest in hard-fought grand final win against Berwick
Narre Warren lost to Berwick three times this year in AFL Outer East Premier Division. But the Magpies produced their best performance on the most important day to claim grand final glory.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Narre Warren produced its best football of the season when it mattered most to claim the inaugural AFL Outer East Premier Division premiership on Friday.
The Magpies led from go to whoa in upsetting minor premier Berwick, adapting best to the conditions with a committed four-quarter effort, prevailing 5.6 (36) to 4.3 (27) at Pakenham.
The rain came sideways at Toomuc Reserve during a torrid first half, leaving the thousands of spectators huddled under whatever shelter they could find.
With low clouds scudding across the sky, Narre Warren kicked the only two goals of the opening quarter and led 20-6 at halftime.
Although the wind and rain died down during the second half, the pressure on the field did not, with players not being allowed time to settle.
When Trent Cody escaped out the back to kick his second goal of the game early in the last quarter, pushing the margin out to 20 points, the game looked in Narre’s hands.
But Berwick then started to succeed where they had struggled all the day, winning some passages of play through the middle of the ground to drive the ball forward and kick the next two goals through Jordan Andrews and Harry Money.
Just as Andrews was lining up for a set shot to reduce the margin to three points, the final siren sounded and the Magpie supporters erupted.
Narre Warren coach Matt Shinners said he was rapt for everyone involved.
“Not a lot of people would have expected us to come here and win this afternoon,” he said.
“There’s a lot of belief in our group.”
Shinners was confident his team’s structure could stand up in the wet.
He described the four-quarter performance as the team’s best for the year.
“The message from us was just to keep it simple, enjoy the moment and have 22 contributors,” Shinners said.
“We have been in the game that many times and dropped away.
“We kept re-emphasising to stay in the game. We controlled it, we were in front — we had to go on and reassure all our supporters that we weren’t going to capitulate today, and we didn’t.”
With winger Matt Soroczynski missing out on the grand final after suffering a hamstring injury the week before, Narre Warren took the chance to spring a couple of surprises to good effect.
Ruckman Connor Wilkins came in to make his senior debut, which allowed Jake Richardson to help shore up the defence.
MORE: EFL CLUBS VOTE AGAINST BERWICK MOVE
Star midfielder Nathan Foote — who was named best on ground — was also vital in the back half of the ground.
“We were hoping we could pull a bit of a rabbit out of the hat … and this was the right time to do it,” Shinners said.
“He’s (Foote) been a fantastic player this year after deciding he wanted to stay with us and not return to the VFL.
“His background is in defence and so it was not uncharted territory, but we felt that it was the best fit for us.”
The win also meant some form of redemption for the team after succumbing to Berwick in the past two Southern Football Netball League grand finals.
Combined with the reserves’ thrilling one-point win against the same opposition, Shinners said he was proud of the club as a whole.
“A lot of hard work’s gone in, so they get their just rewards,” he said.
WHAT A LEADER LOCAL FOOTY SUBSCRIPTION GIVES YOU ACCESS TO
— Match reports, features, player and coach movements and analysis of all the leagues across Melbourne.
— Unprecedented AFL coverage.
— All the latest football news from across the country including Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph and Courier-Mail.
— Latest news and videos from the world’s leading leagues.
— Exclusive digital stories and videos before they go to print.