The class of reigning premier University provided North Beach of a reminder of the work ahead when they eclipsed the Tigers by 53 points at Charles Riley Reserve on Saturday.
The O’Rourke Realty A-Grade team simply had no answers to the work rate and energy of the Scholars who dominated through the midfield, particularly at the stoppages and constantly flooded forward, putting the Tigers defence under fierce pressure.
The Beach hung tough in the opening term, although the cause was assisted by University failing to capitalise to the full extent on their opportunities.
Had it not been for the defensive effort of Ryan Underwood and Aaron Jarvis the Beach would have been in deeper trouble, but they were fighting against the odds and when pushing forward struggled to find a threatening attacking option.
By half-time the margin had slipped out to 26 points and was still possible to pull that gap back, but 15 scoring shots to four was indicative of the control University had enjoyed.
Josh Pearce and Kyle Riemann continued to work hard through the midfield, along with Chris Casey, but after half-time it was one-way traffic.
Jackson Harwood made the most of his opportunities, kicking three goals, but with Kyle Holden incapacitated by an early ankle injury, the Beach struggled to take the impetus away from their opponents.
The Credent Financial Services A-Reserves continued on their winning way, though it was a unconvincing performance which saw them eke out a six-point triumph.
The class of a few individuals, rather than a quality team performance, enabled the Beach to surge to victory – winning 9.6 (60) to 8.6 (54).
Michael Taylor was energetic and efficient through the midfield, Rob McComiskie consistently won the hard ball and Simon Pearce was outstanding in the ruck, while youngster Kris Hackett provided important impetus on a wing.
Byron Boys did some important work in the back half and Cale Potts finished off some good work out of the middle with three goals.
The Nuchange Phil Scott Colts produced their most important victory of the season, playing with energy, enthusiasm and commitment which gave them victory against a team that had lost just twice in the season.
They worked hard for each other, evidenced by their highest tackle count of the season, and held on for a 17-point win despite losing a couple of key players to injury through the course of the game.
Sam Callow and Riley Carter worked hard in defence while James Batterham, Kade Golisano and Alex Barden provided the necessary midfield work rate to upset their fancied opponents. Wingman Jacob Hackett was pushed forward and produced a couple of crucial goals while Sam Waymouth and Batterham also hit the scoreboard effectively.
The Tuck Plumbing Brett Jones Colts completed a rare double with an important 11-point win over University, putting them right in the frame for finals football.
Courtesy of the midfield dominance of Ben Evans and Jacob Copley and the defensive effort of Jacob Fitzroy, the Tigers produced their best team effort of the season, reversing the result of a heavy first round defeat.
The Townley Group North Beach D1-Grade scored an important four-point win after a spasmodic performance at McGillivray Oval.
After a solid opening quarter, the Beach lost each of the final three terms but still held enough of an advantage to claw their way to success on the back of terrific efforts from Reece Burns, Jarrad Venus, Kent Traeger, Mark Foreman and Blake Hurley.
Jordan Kickett and Curtis Hogg kicked a couple of goals each in this contest which saw the Beach prevail 9.9 (63) to 8.11 (59).
The Clipstar D1-Reserves took three quarters to find their best football in a disappointing 53-point loss while Pana’s Pool Care E-Grade combination continued on a roll.
After a tight contest all day, the Beach emerged 23 points to the good. Jordan Marchant and Jason Cole were lively up forward while Brett Anthony produced an inspired best-on-ground performance.
A-Grade
University 4.6 6.9 11.11 15.16 106
North Beach 2.0 3.1 5.3 8.5 53
Goals – North Beach: Harwood 3; Pearce 2; Riemann, Martin, Hall 1.
Best – North Beach: Underwood, Pearce, Jarvis, Riemann, Casey.
A-Reserves
North Beach 3.1 5.5 7.5 9.6 60
University 1.1 4.3 7.5 8.6 54
Goals – North Beach: Potts 3; Taylor 2; Welsh, Irvine, Bowdell, Melvin 1.
Best – North Beach: Taylor, McComiskie, Pearce, Boys, Hackett.
Phil Scott Colts
North Beach 3.1 6.2 9.3 10.4 64
University 1.2 3.6 3.8 6.11 47
Goals – North Beach: Batterham 3; Waymouth, Hackett 2; Duke, Grapiglia, Zampogna 1.
Best – North Beach: Callow, Batterham, Barden, Hackett, Golisano, Houghton-French.
Brett Jones Colts
North Beach 3.1 3.3 7.4 8.6 54
University 2.2 4.4 6.6 6.7 43
Goals – North Beach: O’Brien 2; Retamal, Huggins, Schultz, Galvin, Evans 1.
Best – North Beach: Evans, Copley, Fitzroy, Winterton.
D1-Grade
North Beach 3.3 4.5 8.7 9.9 63
University 1.1 2.5 6.9 8.11 59
Goals – North Beach: Kickett, Hogg 2; Campbell, Foreman, Gangemi, Miotti 1.
Best – North Beach: Burns, Venus, Traeger, Foreman, Hurley, Langsford.
D1-Reserves
University 5.0 9.4 12.5 12.7 79
North Beach 0.0 1.0 1.1 4.2 26
Goals – North Beach: Harrison 2; Christie, Morling 1.
Best – North Beach: Cheetham, Russell, Collins.
E-Grade
North Beach 1.2 3.5 6.7 6.10 46
Wanneroo 1.0 2.2 2.3 3.5 23
Goals – North Beach: Marchant 3; Cole 2; Reynolds 1.
Best – North Beach: Anthony, Bourke, Barwick, Marchant, Le, O’Neill.
