By Gary Stocks
When adversity strikes the most important measure of an individual – or collective – is how they respond, rather than the event itself.
And North Beach coach David Hynes will be looking to see how his players react to a sub-standard performance last week, the lowest ebb in a challenging season, when the club hosts Fremantle CBC at Charles Riley Reserve tomorrow.
Hynes will implore his charges to respect the past, play in the now and dig deep to produce the best they can as both individuals and a collective.
The O’Rourke Realty A-Grade team fell short of the benchmarks the club has set in the last two decades with a poor performance against West Coast last Saturday, losing by 12 goals. But that is not what this group represents. What it wishes to stand for so this is an opportunity to put it right.
One of the good things about footy is that there is always next week and the players will be looking to transfer a positive week on the training track to a similar outcome against the highly-regarded CBC.
North Beach is a young and exciting group, with a sprinkling of players eligible to play colts football this year. As such there will be fluctuations in form, sometimes sharp contrasts between their best and worst.
But the important thing is to learn from the experiences when the game does not go according to plan; take on board the areas which need extra attention and do something about it at the next opportunity.
Aside from that disappointing loss to West Coast, when it seemed the players felt it might just happen for them without producing the required work rate, they have been particularly exciting when playing at home.
They have relished playing in front of the most supportive atmosphere in the WA Amateur Football League and hopefully they have something special in reserve for this week.
Two more youngsters get a chance at senior football in this clash with defender Jack O’Gorman and forward Ryan Ekert, who will make his senior debut, coming into the line-up while classy midfielder Arran Goodard-Nash also resumes.
There is a nice balance in the side and if they work together they are capable of causing what would be a major upset.
The Credent Financial Services A-Reserves will be looking to consolidate against a CBC team that seriously challenged them first time around, while the Coast to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts will also look to consolidate their position in the top two.
The lower grades also face interesting challenges, particularly the Cabling Network Solutions D1-Grade.
Fresh from an absorbing battle with top team Trinity Aquinas last week, the Beach now confronts arch rival North Fremantle (third) at Gil Fraser Reserve. The Hybrid Linings D1-Reserves will be pitted in a second versus fourth battle and victory would go a long towards locking down a top three finish.
The Red Hill Brett Jones Colts, who won on a forfeit last week, will be looking forward to getting onto the field of battle against North Fremantle. Sitting in third position, victory would also play a significant part in plans to finish in the top three and the all-important double chance.
The Express Bins E1-Grade face another tough challenge as they aim to keep finals prospects alive.
After a tough loss to Yanchep last week, they now face ladder leader Roleystone on their home deck at Cross Parl. It’d a big ask, but they are capable of a positive response.
Fixtures
O’Rourke Realty A-Grade
North Beach v Fremantle CBC, Charles Riley Reserve, 2.30pm
Credent Financial Services A-Reserves
North Beach v Fremantle CBC, Charles Riley Reserve, 12.35pm
Coast to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts
North Beach v Fremantle CBC, Charles Riley Reserve, 10.40am
Cabling Network Solutions D1-Grade
North Fremantle v North Beach, Gil Fraser Reserve, 2.30pm
Hybrid Linings D1-Reserves
North Fremantle v North Beach, Gil Fraser Reserve, 12.35pm
Red Hill Brett Jones Colts
North Fremantle v North Beach, Gil Fraser Reserve, 10.40am
Express Bins E1-Grade
Roleystone v North Beach, Cross Park, 2.30pm
