Despite major key injuries, the Berwick Football Club survived relegation, completing their first full season in the Eastern Football Netball League.
By Ryan Long.
Berwick
Ladder Position: 11th (4-13-1, 68.99%)
Best and Fairest: Bryce Rutherford
Leading Goalkicker: Harrison Money (18)
Summary:
After entering the league for the first time last year, the Wickers have officially completed their first full season in the Eastern Football Netball League.
Coming into 2022, Berwick had quite a young side after multiple retirements, losing some great talent that included Madison Andrews and Luke Sheppard.
They battled hard throughout the year, undermanned with a couple of key injuries including key goal kicker Harry Money who managed just eight games for the year. Ryan Bromley, recruited from Beaconsfield also had an interrupted season for the Wickers, managing ten games throughout the season while Travis Tuck also missed out on key games.
Defensively, the club held up alright for the year, only twice did opposition sides reach 100 against them. Comparing that to some other Premier Division clubs, that’s a very positive result. However, at the other end of the ground, they did struggle to score with an inexperienced forward line. Berwick averaged just 51 points per game, the second lowest in the division.
Four wins and a draw across the year were enough to save them from relegation despite a late scare in the year with North Ringwood pinching some late wins. A Round 16 win over finalist Blackburn sealed the Saints’ fate and guaranteed the Wickers another year in the top division of the league.
Key Players:
Having a very strong year, winning the club’s best and fairest was Bryce Rutherford. He finished in the best 13 times from 17 games in a very consistent season. The experienced Joseph West returned to his best after just three games last year. He missed just one game for the season, in the club’s best eight times.
Star of the competition, Travis Tuck missed multiple games this season but at his best, he lifted the Wickers midfield, seven times in the best from 13 matches.
Best Win: Round 10 – Berwick 13.9 87 def. Park Orchards 11.13 79 @Domeney Reserve
An impressive win over the Sharks in Round 10 was the side’s highest score this season. They led right from the beginning, leading by 40 points at the last change, having kicked four goals every quarter. They were challenged late in the afternoon with the Sharks finishing strong with six last-quarter goals but the Wickers held on to pinch an important four points on the road.
Ashton Williamson starred with three majors while Bryce Rutherford kicked two and had a best-on-ground performance.
Off-Season Focus:
Four and a half wins were enough for Berwick this year but they’ll certainly need to win a few more next year with two sides facing relegation.
The area of the ground the club really needs to address ahead of next season is their forward line. Despite playing less than half the season, Money led the club’s goal-kicking with 18 majors. So far, they have picked up Jackson Drake, a key forward with The Basin. He’ll get a chance at Premier division footy while the club will be hoping Money will stay injury-free for the entire season.
The great thing about the club at this moment is the amount of youth the side has. They’ve been given great exposure to senior-level Premier Division football which should make a big difference in the next couple of years.