Outer East league 2023: Narre Warren turns tables on fierce rivals
Narre Warren has a new opinion of Wandin after a tough top-of-the-table clash in Outer East league’s Premier division.
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Former West Coast Eagle Kurt Mutimer turned in a best-on-ground display to fire Narre Warren to a 39-point win over Wandin in a top-of-the-table clash in Outer East league’s Premier Division on Saturday.
Brad Scalzo also starred as the Magpies kicked six goals to one in the last quarter to win 13.18 (96) to 9.3 (57).
Narre Warren captain and league medallist Jake Richardson was also influential, booting three goals.
“It was a pretty tough game up until the last 20 minutes,’’ Narre Warren coach Shane Dwyer said.
“We were kicking with the breeze in the last quarter. We were happy, mate, the boys played well.”
In winning, Narre Warren turned the tables on Wandin, which won the clubs’ Round 2 meeting by 38 points.
The Magpies and Bulldogs have occupied the top two spots on the ladder all season and there’s every chance they’ll meet again in the finals.
“And we said that,” Dwyer said.
“Chatting to the coaches after the game we said, ‘we’ll see you again, hopefully with another couple to play’.
“They’re a good side, Wandin, they’re much improved on last year.”
Mutimer, who played four AFL games, is having another excellent season, with six mentions in Narre’s best from nine games.
Dwyer said Mutimer’s ability to feed the ball out to teammates in the midfield was crucial.
“Kurt is the grunt in there,’’ he said.
“He plays well every week, he’s that inside mid that we love.
“He rarely came off last year but this year we’re managing him a bit more, he comes off at least once a quarter for a blow. He’s played at the highest level so we expect him to play well every week.”
Dwyer said praised Magpies defenders Trent Papworth and Joel Zietsman, as well as Scalzo, Travis Callahan, Tommy Miller and Corey Bader.
Narre Warren sits a game clear on top of the ladder, its premiership firmly on track.
Dwyer said it was difficult to compare this season’s side to the 2022 premiership team.
“It’s a very different side,” he said.
“There are seven or eight missing from that (2022) side, so for us it’s more about the guys who have come in this year continuing to get better and we think they are.
“And we’ve got a few to come back in the back half (of the season).”
Tommy Toner and Pete Gentile will bolster the Narre side.
“We’re hoping if we can remain injury free and get a few back towards the back end we can set ourselves up for finals,” Dwyer said.
“Wandin will be difficult to beat, they’re a good side, and Woori (Yallock) are in there.
“There are about five teams fighting for fourth and fifth spots.
“It’s pretty even...so it will be interesting. We’ve just got to keep winning and try and stay on top.”
Wandin had several key players missing on Saturday, including ex-AFL forward Aaron Mullett, who is continuing to recover from a hamstring injury.
Wandin coach Nick Adam said Mullett would return when he’s fully recovered.
“We don’t want to take any risks with him, so once he’s back we want to know he’s back,” Adam said.
“He’s working through his program, he’s got a strength and running program both at the club and away from the club.
“He’s working hard to be back sooner than later but there’s going to be zero risk taken with it.”
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