Berrigan suffered a loss to Tocumwal on Saturday to end a disappointing season, with endless injuries ending the seniors’ hopes for finals.
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Players, coaches and supporters were shattered, but hopefully this can light a fire in the players belly and we can try again next year.
Lucky it’s the last game because I’m almost getting sick of talking about Adam Way.
But he is hard to ignore when he’s putting up best on ground performances every week.
Even trying to count the number of Adams ruck taps seems to be a job for the world’s best mathematicians, as the numbers become far too large for an average individual.
Mark McQualter played an absolute blinder. It was obvious he felt he had something to prove after his escape from tribunal last week.
He is one of the most complete players I have ever seen take the field in a Berrigan Saints kit.
He appears to have no weaknesses. From his silky boot to his undeniably incredible footballing brain, Mark carries himself almost as another coach on the ground.
Young Star Matt Everingham left spectators speechless, as he lined up on one of Tocumwal’s best forwards.
It worried us all that Matt may be out of his depth, but he proved us wrong with his opposition barely registering a disposal.
You could see the frustration in his opponent’s eyes as he was being outclassed and out played by thirds player with only a handful of senior games to his name.
Final Score: Berrigan 6.6 (42) def by Tocumwal 19.15 (129).
Once again losing to our fierce rivals in Tocumwal, the spirits in the Berrigan reserves camp were not high.
It was a bittersweet ending though, as many of the reserves played their last regular season game and will retire after finals.
Cam Hall was a bright light in the team, using his immense frame to punish in the midfield all game. He may have even woken up with leather poisoning on Sunday morning, as the footy barely left his hands for the entire match.
The ever reliable, ever responsible Stu Pyle never gives up.
A desperate attitude paired with Stu’s years of experience creates a brick wall sort of figure in the backline making it impossible to get it passed him.
Stuart has had the pleasure this year to play with his son Darcy, as the younger looks to take the Pyle name a long way into Berrigan’s future.
Alex Park seems to be the acquisition of the year.
Hailing from the rough Rennie area, coach Damon Ferguson plucked him from the farm and made him a formidable weapon always ready to fire.
Alex is tough as tough gets, only once coming off the ground when he had a head knock so bad he couldn’t see straight. Even then he was still trying to convince the trainer he was fine.
Despite the loss the Reserves still have a place in the finals, and will play on their home ground this Sunday.
Hopefully the whole community can come down to cheer them on.
Final Score: Berrigan 2.2 (14) def by Tocumwal 11.11 (77).
A loss to end the season isn’t usually a good thing, but for the Berrigan thirds the scoreline didn’t matter.
A big congratulations to the coaches and players for their commitment to fill a side for every game this year.
Berrigan usually struggles to fill a thirds side, but this season we took the field with a full 18-man side every game.
Darcy Pyle had an absolute blinder to end the season, having myself and probably others believe that his new sleek hair cut adds 5km/h to his top speed.
A club favourite, Darcy does all he can for this team and continues to impress with his footballing IQ. As he always seems to be in the right place at the right time.
He will be an excellent addition to the senior teams list next year.
Archie Cameron played his first game back after a long line of horrific injuries derailed most of his season.
Despite missing massive chunks of games and training, Archie played like he had never left, adding a goal to his lengthy return game statistics.
Caleb Thornton has to be my most improved for the year.
At the end of the 2021 season Caleb was nothing more than an average footballer, but he is now anything but average.
Caleb’s defensive prowess has been instrumental to the thirds’ game plan, often lining up on the opposition’s best small forward, making sure they have a bad game.
Final Score: Berrigan 2.1 (13) def by Tocumwal 13.12 (90).
Saturday was a tough loss for the Berrigan fourths, who went up against a top side in the competition.
The loss was only subsided by the realisation that the very young team is finals bound.
Coming into the finals, players are finding their best form.
Shakya Cooper seemed to find her spot as a key defender.
She can be found using her height and athleticism to disrupt marking attempts in the opposition’s forward 50 - an extreme development from the start of the year, with lots of potential yet to be used.
Jack Magill is becoming an absolute crowd favourite with his uncanny ability to get the ball at all times. He is definitely one to keep your eye on for the future.
Lachie Packer also deserves a mention as his confidence continues to grow along with his ability. All he needs now is a growth spurt matching his brother Jeremy to become a formidable footballing force.
Lachy Whelan has found a new home as a full forward, often starting further up the ground.
In the deep forward role, he gives the streaming midfielders a super reliable and skillful marking target.
The fourths will continue onto the finals playing in Jerilderie for their first game this Saturday, so let’s make sure we all get there to rally around this young side.
Final Score: Berrigan 1.1 (7) def by Tocumwal 13.14 (92).