Outer East league 2023: Berwick Springs pick up 207cm ruckman
The Titans have had an influx of recruits, including a ruckman, but look like starting the Outer East league season without two of their best players. Here are the details.
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Will 2023 be the year of the Titan?
Berwick Springs enters its third season as a senior entity and, probably for the first time, is being talked about as a genuine premiership contender in Division 1 of Outer East league.
The Titans made the finals for the first time last season, losing in the preliminary final to eventual premiers Gembrook Cockatoo.
Since, they have strengthened their list with a raft of recruits, including Narre Warren premiership midfielder Hayden Stagg, Cora Lynn best and fairest winner Chris Johnson and 207cm ruckman Jayden Bubb.
But Berwick Springs looks like starting the season without two of its best — league medal winner Daniel Ousley, due to work commitments, and the brilliant young player Blake Simondson, who fractured his foot in a practice match with North Melbourne’s VFL side.
“We’re not sure about Daniel Ousley…he’s working…he hasn’t gone anyway and he wants to play with us but it’s just whether work can permit,’’ Berwick Springs coach Rodney Benstead said.
“Blake Simondson got on to North Melbourne’s VFL list but got a fracture in the foot. He looks amazing after doing a full pre-season with a VFL club. He kicked two goals in North’s last practice match and they discovered a hot spot in his foot…I think he’ll miss probably the first six weeks of the year.
“He’s getting full time treatment so there’s still plenty of time for him to play his best football.’’
Berwick Springs other signings include Josh Mackenzie, Brodie Morrish, Harry Paul, Matt Wilson, Brandon Mather and Brent Urwin.
“It’s been really competitive,’’ Benstead said.
“We’ve brought some new recruits in which has been really exciting for the club. We feel like we’re in a good place.’’
Benstead said Stagg and Johnson would be vital as Berwick Springs looks to go a step further in 2023.
“I definitely think Hayden Stagg and Chris Johnson have brought a level of maturity, just coming from good clubs and they’ve got that experience, they’ve played well in big games, and they’re good people, so they tick those boxes,’’ he said.
“That’s what we wanted to do, get a bit more maturity in the group, we felt we were pretty young (last season). We wanted good people, good leaders, so we think we’ve ticked the box with those two especially.’’
Bubb came through the Dandenong Stingrays in 2015 and played VFL with Frankston from 2015 to 2017. He will feed the Titans midfield.
“We were on the hunt for a ruckman, and we got Jayden in,’’ Benstead said.
“He’s come to our club for the right reasons and he’s really enjoying his footy so I’d expect him to have a really good year. He’s a six foot seven ruckman.’’
Benstead expects Division 1 to be a strong competition again, with newcomers Officer to be one of the sides to beat. The Kangaroos have installed successful coach Daniel Charles at the helm, have recruited well and their practice match form has been good.
Seville set the standard last year, and haven’t lost many players. They’ll be strong again.
Emerald have strengthened, while Healesville will be around the mark yet again.
Berwick Springs will have a new captain this season, with Brodie Worland, who has been a Titan from the start, taking the role.
“He sets really good standards, and is a good influence on the group,’’ Benstead said.
Berwick Springs’ reserves made the grand final last year, highlighting the club’s depth.
“People say, ‘oh you’ll take the foot off the pedal a bit’, but you don’t,’’ Benstead said.
“If you’ve got a competitive environment, there are places up for grabs, I think that drives the group.
“The club’s getting bigger, we’re going to have a women’s football team this season.
“Connecting to the community and just being a good club are our priorities. I say, surround yourself with good people and I think the club is really getting some maturity about it now and I think we’re ahead of time getting into the last year. We’re really excited about where the club’s at and we want to improve again so we’re not leaving any stone unturned to find that improvement.’’
Berwick Springs kicks off the season against Hallam, at Mick Morland Reserve, on Saturday, April 15.
Berwick Springs recruits
Hayden Stagg
Chris Johnson
Jayden Bubb
Josh Mackenzie
Brodie Morrish
Harry Paul
Matt Wilson
Brandon Mather
Brent Urwin
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