READY TO SWOOP

By Matt Fotia (@fotiamatt)

Narre Warren midfielder Trent Cody ‘can’t wait’ to take on ladder leading Berwick in a few weeks time, after the Magpies went two and half games clear in second spot on the Outer East Premier Division Ladder. 

Despite inaccuracy, Narre Warren won a nail biting game against Wandin by seven points 18.21(129) to 19.8(122) with Peter Gentile pulling off an incredible overhead kick late in the final term to poke a dagger through the Bulldogs hearts. 

The Magpies kicked the opening three goals of the game in the opening three minutes, but the classy on baller says they knew Wandin would push them all the way on their home deck. 

“We knew they would come back, they’re a really good on this ground and in high scoring games, so we knew they we’re going to come.”

Wandin had defeated all of the other South East sides to visit the Kennel this season with it’s unique conditions playing right into their hands. 

Cody praised the Dogs intensity and skill level on Yarra Valley FM 99.1, as he collected his Uncle Jack watch for player of the day.

“I don’t think you can really prepare for a ground like this,”

“I was really fatigued at quarter time, it’s very inside so with no outside run you get bashed up a fair bit,”

“Then you see their full back (Tom Hinds) play on, get around one of our blokes and hit (Justin) Van Unen on the chest,”

“You can hit the full forward from full back here.”

Narre Warren trailed by 18 points at the final change after Wandin kicked 10 goals to three in the third quarter, with the Dogs beginning to get on top of the Magpies at every opportunity, producing multiple goal of the year contenders in the process, igniting their infamously vocal home support.

The Magpies extended their stay at the three quarter time huddle as coach Matt Shinners told his troops to go direct, back their abilities and reward their strong travelling support.

“Shinners said to just back ourselves in, all our supporters have come up from Narre Warren and to do it for them,”

“I think we put it together pretty well in the last quarter.”

“From the get go we wanted to go long and direct,”

“The few times we went short we got hurt and they kicked some goals from it.”

Narre Warren are out for some revenge this season after falling short in 2017 and 2018, both times at the hands of Berwick.

Last year in particular was a tough pill to swallow, considering the Magpies had finished the home and away season a game clear of the Wickers on top of the ladder. 

Cody believes that this year’s crop of Magpies are ready to swoop and end Berwick’s stranglehold over them. 

“The last couple of years haven’t sat well with us,”

“They’re obviously the team to beat, they’re so strong across the board,”

“But we’re young, we’re quick, we’ve got a different team and a different structure,”

“I can’t wait for it.”