By Gary Stocks
North Beach will be looking to open its 2013 account when round two kicks off against Collegians at Dalkeith Oval tomorrow.
Despite dominating play for long periods in the season-opener against Trinity-Aquinas last Saturday, the Beach had to be content with a 15-point defeat.
Stung by that loss, the A-Grade combination, under the direction of David Hynes will be looking for greater scoring efficiency. There was a heavy discrepancy in forward 50 entries last week which did not translate on the scoreboard and that will need to be rectified.
Collegians are also coming off a first round loss, so will be equally anxious to get their campaign onto a positive roll.
The Beach has re-jigged its line-up for this week with several players rewarded for their outstanding work over pre-season. Andrew Langsford, Rob McComiskie and Rhys Burns showed a great appetite through pre-season and with injury and unavailability creating opportunity, they are ready to seize the moment.
Also coming into the team is talented utility player Christian Bottechia, who had an interrupted pre-season, but is ready to make an impression after kicking three goals in the A-Reserves last week.
The A-Reserves started the season in sizzling form with an eight-goal burst in the opening quarter against Trinity-Aquinas, confirming the view that the club boasts great depth through the grades in 2013.
Again a formidable line-up has been selected, with a couple of young players – Riley Carter and Craig Hall – being elevated.
The Beach has been something of a benchmark in this grade for the last three years and has provided in-form players for the A-Grade when required.
The A-Colts will face another tough challenge against Collegians, traditionally a strong performer at that level, but the young squad is up for the challenge. Coach Craig Dalton appears to have good depth available to him and there is genuine enthusiasm in the build up to this clash.
For those fans not looking to venture to Dalkeith Oval, there will be plethora of football available locally with the thirds, fourths and Brett Jones Colts all playing at Charles Riley Reserve and the fifths on display at Percy Doyle Oval, Duncraig.
The thirds, fourths and fifths all started with resounding victories and displayed quality team-based game plans.
Fixtures
A-Grade
Collegians v North Beach, 2.30pm Dalkeith Oval
A-Reserves
Collegians v North Beach, 12.35pm Dalkeith Oval
Phil Scott Colts
Collegians v North Beach, 10.45am Dalkeith Oval
D1-Grade
North Beach v Bullcreek-Leeming, 2.30pm Charles Riley Reserve
D1-Reserves
North Beach v Bullcreek-Leeming, 12.35pm Charles Riley Reserve
Brett Jones Colts
North Beach v Collegians, 10.45am Charles Riley Reserve
E2-Grade
North Beach v North Fremantle, 2.30pm Percy Doyle Oval, Duncraig