There’s plenty of optimism down at Edwin Flack Reserve that Berwick can improve on a promising opening few seasons in the EFNL.
In their first full season since joining the EFNL two years ago, the Wickers 2022 season was cruelled by injuries to many star players. Despite those injuries they still managed to steer clear of relegation, finishing the season with four wins and a draw.
Clint Evans will lead the way once again for the senior side, saying that his side was excited to continue building a new era at the club.
“When we came into (the league) we had a lot of senior guys who’ve played a lot of football and then you look now it’s changed tenfold. It’s exciting times for the guys coming up though,” Evans said.
“We don’t know what to expect, hopefully we get a bit of luck with injuries from last year. But I’m excited to see what we can do.”
2023 will see the Wickers be without 2022 Best and Fairest winner Bryce Rutherford who departs after being named 13 out of a possible 17 times in the best.
“He’s still been training with us and when he has his week off, he’ll come and train with us. It was just work unfortunately (why he had to leave).”
However they have re-signed majority of their senior playing list from last year, including senior players who missed majority of 2022.
“Jesse Cirulis our ruckman, Tim Gunn who played seven or eight games, Jayden Graham injured his ankle against Doncaster. Jai Neal didn’t play for the whole year, Wal Wuol was at Casey, he’s another who had glandular fever and missed the whole year.
“A lot of people are thinking ‘Berwick haven’t recruited’ but we’ve got so many that hardly played last year that we’re going to be a totally different side come round one.”
The Wickers have still brought in plenty of talent, including bringing back Will Arthurson full-time this season. Arthurson, who will co-captain the side this year, played 14 games at the VFL level this year as well as five with Berwick.
“To have him playing every week is a sigh of relief from last year where every Thursday night we were holding out hope he was playing with us. But this year at least we know he’s going to be with us every week.”
Ex-Beaconsfield players Brad Homfray and Kyle O’Sullivan have also signed on from Nar Nar Goon, with Evans happy to have two players he had previously coached on board
“They both played seniors when they were 18 and 19-year-olds. Brad’s won a best and fairest there and Kyle’s a good half forward, wingman and onballer with a heap of skill.
“Even though they’ve been playing (in the country) they’re up to this level, I’ve seen them play and I’ve coached them. Brad will give us more on ball and hopefully Kyle with his craft around the forward line and his skill will give us something down there.”
Jordan Roberts and Jackson Drake have also joined from Division 2 club The Basin, with Evans believing they were both ready to take the step up to Premier.
“(Roberts) can play centre half back, centre half forward, ruck, you can play him anywhere. Him coming up to this level will suit him particularly with the style of play we have.
“And then you get young Drake who’s a six foot two moving high half forward. If we can get him going along with Jai Neal it gives us so many options.”
With the talent coming in as well as senior players coming back into the side this year Evans has hopes that his side can improve and steer clear of relegation once again.
“All we can worry about is us and what we can do. I’m expecting improvement, but we’re in a little bit of a no man’s land as to how we’re gonna go, we’re just gonna (have to take it) week-by-week and see what we come up against.”
