By Gary Stocks
It’s getting to the sharp end of the season. A time when those in finals contention are starting to shape their teams for the next element of the competition while others are jockeying for positions behind those already guaranteed top five spots.
For the O’Rourke Realty A-Grade team it’s the challenge of hosting second placed Trinity Aquinas at Charles Riley Reserve.
The Beach has an outside chance of qualifying for finals, currently sitting in seventh position with six wins. To claim a big scalp, like this one, would go a long towards prising open a door which appeared jammed shut just a few weeks ago.
This young and exciting group, however, has found a way to get across the line in one-point thrillers against Fremantle CBC and North Fremantle, breathing life into their season.
They have no fear, a growing belief and confidence in what they are doing and will take this challenge head on against Trinity Aquinas.
There are some big names – and some big frames – in the TAs line-up. Former Eagle Quinten Lynch kicked seven last week, former Docker Ryan Murphy also gives them a presence up forward and 2006 Norm Smith medallist Andrew Embley also offers some run and rebound.
While some might view that a daunting prospect, others might see it as an opportunity. A chance for young players just embarking on a senior football career at the Beach to learn a little while competing in the heat of battle.
There will be no concessions granted either way and the Beach will welcome back a little experience and direction from the likes of captain Beau Witheridge and Mitch Dwyer, while versatile defenders Tim Langsford and Earl Quinlan also resume.
It will be worth the Beach faithful making the effort to get down to club headquarters to throw their support behind this young, emerging group.
The Credent Financial Services A-Reserves face an interesting challenge as well, confronting an undefeated Trinity Aquinas.
The A-Reserves have a neat blend of youth and experience and will again look forward to the challenge of playing the league leader in the knowledge that they will likely cross paths during the finals series.
The Coast to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts will get the day rolling with what promises to be another entertaining game as they start to pull together a line-up which will carry them into the sharp end of the competition.
They will get back three State colts for this match and will be looking to fine tune the systems and structures they think can take them deep into the finals against a team sitting in eighth place.
The action at South Oval, Curtin where three North Beach teams will clash with Wesley-Curtin will also be absorbing – particularly the game involving the Red Hill Brett Jones Colts team.
This is a clash between the top teams on the ladder and will offer the conundrum for both teams as to just how much they show the opposition ahead of finals? North Beach sits in second place and with three quality players returning to action in the Phil Scott team, it means three more drop back to play in this division.
The two senior matches should see North Beach endure with the Cabling Network Solutions D1-Grade and the Hybrid Linings D1-Reserves in matches which pit sixth against second.
Time is running out for the Express Bins E1-Grade, but there is still a glimmer of hope to play finals. Tomorrow they confront Swan Athletic in a match which sees sixth playing seventh and it should be an intriguing battle.
Fixtures O’Rourke Realty A-Grade
North Beach v Trinity Aquinas, Charles Riley Reserve, 2.30pm
Credent Financial Services A-Reserves
North Beach v Trinity Aquinas, Charles Riley Reserve, 12.35pm
Coast to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts
North Beach v Trinity Aquinas, Charles Riley Reserve, 10.40am
Cabling Network Solutions D1-Grade
Wesley Curtin v North Beach, South Oval, 2.30pm
Hybrid Linings D1-Reserves
Wesley Curtin v North Beach, South Oval, 12.35pm
Red Hill Brett Jones Colts
Wesley Curtin v North Beach, South Oval, 2.30pm
Express Bins E1-Grade
North Beach v Swan Athletic, Percy Doyle Oval, 2.30pm
