By Gary Stocks
One of the pillars that make North Beach Football Club what it is, unity, will manifest itself tomorrow when the club has six of its seven teams playing at the same venue.
As the club takes on Mt Lawley in six games, all of them at Hamer Park, North Beach supporters will be able to keep an eye on all of the action on two grounds sitting adjacent to each other.
The odd team out is the Express Bins E1-Grade that plays Swan Districts ay Steel Blue Oval – an adequate compensation for playing a stand-alone game, having the privilege of playing on one of the State’s premier ovals.
Starting times have been staggered, with the lower grades starting 30 minutes earlier than normal, allowing the second half of the A-Grade fixture to be played without distraction and providing an opportunity for the thirds to throw their vocal support behind the senior team.
The O’Rourke Realty A-Grade outfit is playing a team that has not yet won a game, but this game is pivotal to the season and coach David Hynes knows the Hawks will come out fiercely.
At this stage of the year, the Beach is sitting at 2-6, and while playing some decent footy in the majority of matches, finding the finish line on the winning side of the equation has been problematic.
A case in point is fresh in the memory bank. Last Saturday afternoon at Charles Riley Reserve. An epic, absorbing contest against Wesley Curtin, but ultimately a four-point loss.
The Beach has a young and exciting list and it is most encouraging to see some of those youngsters, still eligible for colts, wielding an impact in senior matches. They deserve a return on their investment and hopefully that comes against Mt Lawley.
North Beach will welcome back midfield hard nut Louis Davies, defender Earl Quinlan and utility player James Batterham, who has not played for the club for several years, but is a quality performer who could give the boys a lift.
In most other grades, North Beach is entrenched in the top half of the table, including the Credent Financial Services A-Reserves, who have been forced to make six changes as a result of injuries and the call up to senior football of a couple of regulars.
The reserves are sitting in third position and are entrenched in the top three which ensures a second chance come season’s end, and have played some quality football.
They have had a neat mix of youth and experience and look capable of challenging the teams above.
The Coast to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts have been remarkable. After being out-muscled in the opening round against University, they have not been beaten. On several occasions they have come from behind, appear to have a strong belief and a will to win.
With the club adopting the policy having any player who turns 20 this season playing up the grades, they have still lost just the one game, although Mt Lawley will represent a challenge this weekend.
Bill Duckworth has the Cabling Network Solutions D1-Grade ticking along nicely in second position and they should carry too muchfire-power for Mt Lawley, while the Hybrid Linings D1-Reserves are also sitting in third spot.
The Red Hill Brett Jones Colts, after a slow start, are now sitting in third position and a victory against Mt Lawley would provide them with something of a cushion in the top three. The Hawks have also had their share of success this season so this looms as a tight contest.
Fixtures
O’Rourke Realty A-Grade
Mt Lawley v North Beach, Hamer Park, 2.30pm
Credent Financial; Services A-Reserves
Mt Lawley v North Beach, Hamer Park, 12.35pm
Coast to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts
Mt Lawley v North Beach, Hamer Park, 10.40am
Cabling Network Solutions D1-Grade
Mt Lawley v North Beach, Hamer Park, 2pm
Hyrbrid Linings D1-Reserves
Mt Lawley v North Beach, Hamer Park, 12pm
Red Hill Brett Jones Colts
Mt Lawley v North Beach, Hamer Park, 10.15am
Express Bins E1-Grade
Swan Districts v North Beach, Steel Blue Oval, 2.30pm
