Burra does the job and secures a solid win

By Brad Kingsbury
KEYSBOROUGH quickly got over an early case of lethargy to grind out a solid 40-point victory over Berwick at the Rowley Allen Reserve on Saturday.
The margin was not as great as many expected and the credit for that goes to the visitors who are now playing an attacking brand of football with the emphasis on running the ball forward and scoring as fast as possible.
Given the Wickers have little to gain in terms of the 2008 season by shutting down its opposition, coach, Daniel Charles’ tactics are positive and that was acknowledged by his Keysborough counterpart Greg Siwes afterwards.
“We were in second gear and not sharp enough in the first term and they came out and attacked us well,” he said. “They used the breeze, got their hands on the ball first and played really positive football.”
Berwick benefited by several questionable umpiring decisions in the first term but their early-match wasted opportunities proved decisive with the Burra lifting their work rate in the second quarter through the efforts of in-form midfielder Clinton King, Kris Fowler and rover Daniel Morland.
The Wickers stopped running and Keysborough’s clear edge in pace and fitness saw the ball pounded into attack where spearhead Luke McGuinness showed glimpses of his best form and kept the scoreboard ticking over, despite the efforts of Andrew Morozoff to stop him.
At half time Keysborough had turned an 18-point deficit into a 17-point lead and wrested control of the match from their tiring Berwick opponents.
Keysborough booted away with eight goals to four in the third term with Matthew Freeman providing spark after being released from attack to a wing.
Berwick under 18 prospects Nathan Page and Matthew Brennan provided a glimpse of bright senior futures with great games and were instrumental in the Wickers finishing the game with several late goals, but the result was never in doubt with Keysborough’s experience telling.
Lanky defender Brett Robinson did a great job to keep big marking Burra forward Tyson King to one goal for the game, while, at the other end, star goal kicker George Gorozidis had a great battle with Daniel Born, adding four goals to bring his season tally to 69.
The only downside for the victors was the wear and tear of the season catching up with key ruckman Shaun Witherden, who looked proppy at times, however Siwes was happy with the victory and the way his side reacted under early pressure.
“We fought back and started to win in the middle and then we simply outran them,” he said.
“We were 10 goals up and they got a couple of late goals when it was all over, but it was a good hitout and a good result.”
Other round 15 results were predictable with Pakenham downing Cranbourne by 76 points, Devon Meadows beating Tooradin by 30 points, Narre Warren giving Hampton Park a 68-point lesson and Beaconsfield defeating ROC by 107 points.