BY GARY STOCKS
A tough, hard-fought contest against a likely finals opponent can be precisely what is needed as a tune-up for the games that carry significantly higher stakes.
While victory against Noranda would have elevated the North Beach Hybrid Linings C4-Grade team into top spot on percentage and a breather for week one of the finals series, a narrow defeat on Saturday was confirmation that they remain a serious contender for consecutive premierships at the level.
It took a kick after the siren for Noranda to claim victory by three points after an engrossing battle – edging past the Beach 12.11 (83) to 12.8 (80).
It was a game where momentum swings were commonplace and some outstanding individual performances within the team framework went within a whisker of upsetting the Hawks.
Liam Hunter was again prevalent on a wing, running hard to provide the connection between defence and attack and gathering more than his share of the footy, while Marc Crisp continued to meet the high standards he has set across the season.
Jack O’Gorman presented hard at the ball from centre half-forward while Tully Wickstein was energetic and a constant threat as he buzzed around the forward 50 and kicked four goals.
Joel Temm patrolled the half-back line with aplomb, repelling countless Noranda attacking sorties and then distributing the ball to good effect while Cam Emery was given the task of curbing a dangerous opponent and carried out the task with distinction.
The Beast Carpet Cleaning C4-Reserves guaranteed a top three finish and a double chance in the finals series when they carried too much fire-power for Noranda – winning 15.13 (103) to 3.2 (20).
After conceding the first goal the Beach were jolted to life and controlled the game thereafter.
The Beach took control through the midfield led by Mitch Tobin and Rhys Irvine, and in the ruck by Alex Coleman.
Sam Zehnder continued his strong return to the side, capitalizing with six goals while Daniel Ryan was solid between both the backline and the forward line, and Lucas Osborne was strong in defence.
The Beach will finish their qualifying rounds against Forrestdale at Charles Riley Reserve and are looking for a good tune up for finals with a battle between third and fourth.
The Indian Ocean Hotel Brett Jones Colts had already locked away top spot and consolidated that position when notching their 13th consecutive victory over Swan Athletic in another commanding performance.
Although a frustrating game skills-wise the job was completed soundly as Beach ran out 10-goal winners – 10.12 (72) to 2.0 (12).
To the credit of the opposition their physicality and pressure was impressive and certainly matched Beach at the contest keeping them in the game until half time.
However, North Beach clicked into gear and steadied the ship and kept a constant control of the game until the final siren.
Tom Bristow-Stagg had a brilliant performance in the ruck and Tom Emes’ return has been very well received with two great performances. In front of goal Peter Jolley went past 50 goals for the season with a bag of five and Zach Farrell was outstanding up the ground and in front of goal.
Another great team win and the momentum rolls on to the last round.
Hybrid Linings C4-Grade
Noranda 2.3 5.7 8.9 12.11 83
North Beach 4.2 6.5 7.8 12.8 80
Goals – North Beach: Wickstein 4; Hall, Adler 2; Brooks, J Cameron, M Cameron.
Best – North Beach: Hunter, Wickstein, Crisp, O’Gorman, Emery, Temm.
Beast Carpet Cleaning C4-Reserves
North Beach 2.4 7.5 12.8 15.13 103
Noranda 1.0 1.1 1.1 3.2 20
Goals – North Beach: Zehnder 6; Tobin 3; McAuliffe 2; M Hunt, Quinlan, J Hunt, Irvine.
Best – North Beach: Tobin, Irvine, Zehnder, Coleman, Ryan, Osborne.
Indian Ocean Hotel Brett Jones Colts
North Beach 2.2 5.3 7.6 10.12 72
Swan Athletic 0.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 12
Goals – North Beach: Jolley 5; Farrell, Payne 2; Dobson.
Best – North Beach: Bristow-Stagg, Farrell, S Smith, Dobson, P Rose, Jolley.
Beyond Tools E1-Grade
Lynwood Ferndale 8.8 (56) def North Beach 6.7 (43)
GJ Osplumb E4-Grade
North Beach 15.16 (106) def Warnbro 1.2 (8)
Beach Women Get It Done
Tick the legs over, focus on the system, get the result and then worry about next week.
That could well have been the focus for the Synkro A-Grade Women last week as they played their last qualifying round of the season against the lowly Coolbellup.
Winning should have occurred – as it did – quite comfortably, but it was a perfect prelude to what looms as an exciting finals campaign that starts on Saturday.
The Beach was too talented for its opponent, winning 10.10 (70) to 2.1 (13) in a dominant performance against a physical Coolbellup combination.
The power of the midfield was again evident with irresistible drive coming from the likes of Steph Ball, Tessa Anderson and Beth Carey in conjunction with winger Abby Maynard.
Defensively Taylah McGorlick and Amelia Davies were exceptional while up forward Sharni Kuenen and Zoe Panagopoulos each finished off their work with two goals.
The C4-Grade Women had a bye, but with the A-Grade team will begin their quest for higher honours with an elimination final against Kingsley at Charles Riley Reserve this Saturday.
Both of the Beach teams finished in fourth position, but are capable of doing some damage should they get past the Cats on the weekend. There was a clear divide between the top four and the rest in both grades, but finals is virtually the start of a new season.
Now it’s time for business.
Synkro A-Grade Women
North Beach 2.1 8.5 9.7 10.10 70
Coolbellup 0.0 1.0 1.1 2.1 13
Goals – North Beach: Panagopoulos, Kuenen 2; M Jones, Anderson, Monaghan, Burvill, Ball, Maynard.
Best – North Beach: Ball, McGorlick, Davies, Maynard, Anderson, Carey.
