QUIRK – “It’s only going to get better”

By Matt Fotia

Narre Warren skipper Dylan Quirk says that the uneven results have not told the full story of this AFL Outer East Premier Division season, after his Magpie side nabbed its eighth win of the 2019 season defeating Woori Yallock away from home by 66 points to remain in equal top spot with Berwick.

Speaking on Yarra Valley FM 99.1 after the game, Quirk spoke about how he saw the new competition and its future, the two contrasting styles of football and the importance of winning away fixtures for all clubs.

“It’s a really different style of football, all the clubs in the Yarra Valley are really strong in close, they really like to crash in and hit hard, whilst we think our strength is getting the ball on the outside,”

“I know there have been some lopsided scores, but every game we’ve come off the ground really sore – we know that the return games are going to be much closer on the scoreboard.”

Quirk gets a kick away during Narre Warren’s Round Two win over Beaconsfield. Photo – BH Photography

The Magpies skipper said that in the last few years of the now defunct SEFNL the stronger teams were able to perform below their best and still record large victories, with the lack of divisional football a key factor.

“The last couple of years in the SEFNL, you’d turn up to games knowing that even if you didn’t bring our ‘A’ game, you’d still end up winning by 15 goals.”

“Divisional football is the best thing that could’ve happened for all of the SEFNL clubs that have come across.”

“We’ve lost a few clubs across the years like Hampton Park, Dingley and Keysborough, due to the fact that we didn’t have divisional football, because once they dropped off the pace it was too hard for them to recruit and rebuild.”

“Divisional football gives everyone a chance to go down and if need be regroup, rebuild and come back a much better side.”

“They’re very proud clubs out here, so I think it’s only going to get better.”

Narre Warren will have another bye this weekend after they and Berwick played their Round Nine fixture as a season opener on the 6th of April.