By Gary Stocks
There is no short cut on the journey towards finding a consistent level of performance. It requires time, exposure to opponents who, for the time being at least, are better.
To match wit and skill against foes who have been around the block. To pick up some of the tricks of the trade, learn about body work, protecting the drop of the ball, field position, where to run. The nuances of a particular position.
Young unbroken colts come into the game with raw enthusiasm and a capacity to run. But they must learn to run smart. So they are educated by coaches, by teammates and to some extent by the opposition.
Such was the case when the O’Rourke Realty A-Grade team lost to a star-studded Trinity Aquinas outfit by four goals last week.
While the opposition held an edge in experience and guile, were bigger and stronger, the Beach kept chipping away. To coin an over-used cliché (and one I personally detest) you can’t buy experience at the supermarket.
You can’t buy work ethic and commitment there either! And that’s what the Beach had in abundance last week. They out-worked Trinity Aquinas, without getting g the ultimate reward of a victory.
With some of the learnings from that outcome, perhaps working a little smarter, hopefully the Beach will get the job done against Wesley Curtin. The task is no less formidable against the Tigers than it was against TAs last week.
Wesley Curtin boasts some players with a wealth of WAFL experience and they will be a challenge. Coach David Hynes will be looking for his charges to back up from last week, something that has been a little rare this year.
It is one of the foibles of youth; that consistency thing. So Hynes will be hoping his charges arrive with the mindset, for that is what work ethic is about. It is possible to be beaten no matter how hard you try, but you can’t win without having a crack.
And while it might seem a remote prospect, victory in this game against another of the premiership fancies, would give North Beach the chance to qualify for finals. Currently 7th, this game, on paper at least, appears the toughest of the three remaining games and if the club wins all three there is a chance to see finals action.
The Credent Financial Services A-Reserves should solidify their position in the top two by beating Wesley Curtin while the Coast to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts will aim to sustain their form.
At Charles Riley Reserve, with the finals series a week closer than it is for the A-Grade teams, it will be a matter of fine-tuning over the next couple of games.
The Cabling Network Solutions D1-Grade, the Hybrid Linings D1-Reserves and the Red Hill Brett Jones Colts are all expected to play big parts in the sharp end of the season. They each play Mt Lawley at club headquarters and should win.
All teams are guaranteed a double chance, but the Brett Jones Colts could end the season on top.
The colts squad has had a remarkable season, with the Phil Scott division in second place, and that augurs well for the future of the club.
The Express Bins E1-Grade will not play finals, but will looking for a strong finish in the next fortnight. They have been solid after being promoted by one division on the back of a grand final appearance last year.
In many instances they are up against the opposition club’s top team and that has been challenging. Tomorrow they play Willetton at Burrendah Reserve.
Fixtures O’Rourke Realty A-Grade
Wesley Curtin v North Beach, South Oval, 2.30pm
Credent Financial Services A-Reserves
Wesley Curtin v North Beach, South Oval, 12.35pm
Coast to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts
Wesley Curtin v North Beach, South Oval, 10.40am
Cabling Network Solutions D1-Grade
North Beach v Mt Lawley, Charles Riley Reserve, 2.30pm
Hybrid Linings D1-Reserves
North Beach v Mt Lawley, Charles Riley Reserve, 12.35pm
Red Hill Brett Jones Colts
North Beach v Mt Lawley, Charles Riley Reserve, 10.40am
Express Bins E1-Grade
Willetton v North Beach, Burrendah Reserve, 2.30pm
