By Gary Stocks

After any defeat, there comes a time for reflection. Just how much time is needed depends on the circumstances.

And after being out-classed by Wesley Curtin at Percy Doyle Oval last Saturday, David Hynes and his coaching staff needed deeper contemplation than some of the other defeats endured by the O’Rourke Realty A-Grade team.

Uncharacteristically, North Beach was unable to be competitive against last year’s A-Grade premiers, particularly in the third quarter when Wesley iced the game by kicking six unanswered goals.

As the coaching staff was leaving the ground at three-quarter time, however, the assembly of senior players sitting behind the white line, rather than being in the thick of the action on the  other side of it, provided something of a reality check.

Injuries are a fact of footy life and can’t be used as a crutch, but watching on were regular senior players like Aaron Jarvis, Kyle Holden, Ben Wilson, Adrian Clarke, Tim Langsford, Christian Bottechia and Matt Power.

While those players who earned opportunities in their absence showed an abundance of endeavour, when the game was on the line, Wesley’s edge in class was quite distinct.

Sadly, the defeat came on a day when 30-year club sponsor O’Rourke Realty hosted the marquee on the hill, and the players would have preferred to put on a better performance. The injury toll was exacerbated when co-captain Beau Witheridge was concussed in the first 10 minutes and defender Andy Langsford injured an ankle shortly after, but bravely battled through.

It was a disappointing result, but not without its positives as Kyle Cranley returned to senior football for his first game of the year and debutant Nick Bowe, elevated from the colts, acquitted himself with aplomb.

The challenge to the club’s depth was also evident in the Credent Financial Services A-Reserves, where North Beach was beaten by the lowly ranked opposition.

Again, the positive was that a number of young players were elevated to the team, including colt Ryan Ekert, who also was not out of place.

Arran Goddard-Nash also continued his push towards an A-Grade opportunity, while Shane Duckworth was solid in defence and Chris Wynne worked hard through the midfield.

The Coast to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts continued to build on an impressive season with a comprehensive 104-point rout of the opposition.

They had winners all over the ground – indeed it was difficult to find a position where a North Beach player did not win his particular battle – but ruckman Tom DeCourtenay was outstanding, getting it all started in the middle.

Ben Harbers, Brennan Irvine, Alex Csar and Mitch Cameron were also influential.

The Cabling Network Solutions D1-Grade continued their unbeaten run with another convincing 77-point win over Wesley Curtin.

Led by young ruckman Ryan Clapham, ably assisted by president David Cassidy, Scott Holbrook., Mitch Christie and Tim Elphick, the Beach had all the answers – although it wasn’t until the final term when they kicked six goals that they really clicked into gear.

Another flat start by the Hybrid Linings D1-Reserves, saw North Beach slip to an unexpected defeat.

A new forward structure was exposed badly, although Jason Ticknell was one of the few shinning lights up forward relishing in his new role at full forward.

Because of an inconsistent work rate across the ground, the Beach lost by 22 points. One of the bright notes was the performance of Damian Premici, who was promoted from the Brett Jones Colts and was one of the better contributors in the team            

Earlier the Brett Jones Colts produced another outstanding performance and appear finals bound after a 61-point win over Wesley.

The Express Bins E2-Grade rounded out a good day in the lower grades with a solid 53-point win, having recovered from a two-goal half-time deficit.

It was a remarkable turn-around with Novak Smith damaging up forward, but Tony Mirabile and Michael Quartermaine doing so much to the reversal in action.   

O’Rourke Realty A-Grade
Wesley Curtin    2.3          7.6          13.7        17.8        110
North Beach       3.0          4.1            4.3        8.6           54
Goals – North Beach – Cranley, Sajich 2; Cownie, Davis, Enders, Lee 1.
Best – North Beach: Davies, Bowe, Quinlan, A Langsford, Enders, Sajich.

Credent Financial Services A-Reserves
Wesley Curtin    7.10 (52) def North Beach 4.8 (32)
Goals – North Beach: Bubnich, Ekert, Campbell, Melvin 1.
Best – North Beach: Goddard-Nash, Duckworth, Wynne.

Coast to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts
North Beach       2.3          4.8          9.11        15.16     106
Wesley Curtin    0.0          0.0          0.2            0.2            2
Goals – North Beach: Cameron, Csar 3; Lynch, O’Donoghue 2; Harbers, Higgins, Irvine, Rudrum, Waters 1.
Best – North Beach: Harbers, Irvine, Csar, DeCourtenay.

Cabling Network Solutions D1-Grade
North Beach       4.1          6.4          8.5          14.6        90
Wesley Curtin    0.4          1.5          1.7            1.7        13
Goals – North Beach: Waldock 4; Flynn 3; Cassidy, Christie 2; Clark, Holdman, Hutchison 1.
Best – North Beach: Clapham, Cassidy, S Holbrook, Christie, Elphick.

Hybrid Linings D1-Reserves
Wesley Curtin    3.3          5.5          7.6          9.6          60
North Beach       2.3          3.4          4.6          5.8          38
Goals – North Beach: Anthony 2; Byrne, Tincknell, Vry 1.
Best – North Beach: Tincknell, Premici, Anthony.

Brett Jones Colts
North Beach       3.2          8.5          12.5        19.7        121
Wesley Curtin    1.1          3.1          3.3            6.4          40
Goals – North Beach: Evans 4; J Cuzens, Botica, Rollo 3; Collins, Plakakis 2; Bryce, Hart 1.
Best – North Beach: Team effort.

Express Bins E2-Grade
North Beach       0.3          2.2          6.10        9.14        70
Wesley Curtin    2.1          4.2            4.2         4.3         27
Goals – North Beach: Smith 4; Missikos 2; Thewlis, Rondas, Hontze, P Cavanagh 1.
Best – North Beach: Mirabile, Quartermaine, Grapiglia, Demellur, Rice.