By Gary Stocks

North Beach will be aiming to build on an encouraging start to the season when they tackle Mt Lawley at Charles Riley Reserve on Saturday.

The match committee, pleased by the effo0rt against Collegians last Saturday, have resisted the opportunity to make wholesale changes despite the availability of several players of undoubted class.   

Two changes have been forced through the unavailability of long-kicking half-back and speedy wingman Steve Bandy. Coming in to replace that pair are strong-bodied midfielder Tim Nelli and athletic utility player Josh Stott.

The club stepped up preparations for this contest against the Hawks with a large contingent of players attending the ANZAC Day commemorative ceremony at North Beach and then trained at the adjacent Charles Riley Reserve.

The players enjoyed the opportunity to train in natural light and appreciated the change of routine.

There will also be some important inclusions in the A-Reserves match with Kyle Cranley, Jamie Sajich, Michael Bryan and Josh Bollen all pushing for selection after working their way towards match fitness.

It looms as an important day for the Beach with all of the senior teams looking to consolidate on victories last weekend. The A-Grade opened their account with an emphatic triumph over Collegians while the other teams all have a clean sheet after two matches.

The A-Reserves click into top gear last week, but were threatened against Collegians while the D1 and D1-Reserves were both dominant against Bullcreek-Leeming and the E2-Grade worked their way past North Fremantle.

A total of nine wins from 10 matches in the senior grades is indicative of the depth at the club and ensures intense pressure for positions in all grades.

The colts are yet to chalk up a win this season, but have played with good spirit and intensity against two traditionally powerful under-20 clubs in Trinity-Aquinas and Collegians.

The colts will see this as an opportunity to get on the board.