One of seven tries scored on Saturday.
The Yass Magpies unveiled part of their 2025 squad on Saturday against the Batemans’ Bay Tigers, in a physical and entertaining trial match under the leadership of Luke Berkrey, who is coaching the side and helping coach the club. The 38-0 score line went the way of the Magpies and it included a defensive effort which was desperate at times and stopped the Bay just centimetres from the line.
It was seven tries and five goals with Jacob Lucas kicking pretty well from some wide out positions, while also closer to the posts at times.
Berkrey was happy with the performance but his experience will show he will expect more from his charges when they face Goulburn at Goulburn in round one. He said, “The first try was scored by Noah Collins, with Kaidan Bell scoring two during the match, Cody Bell one and Cooper O’Connor one alongside Kai Douven, one.
The Bay kicker sent the ball Berkrey’s way for the first three kickoffs in a bizarre move which was maybe designed to test the war horse out. He responded by running from the back fence forcing the Bay boys to make some solid tackles which they would still be sore from.
Berkrey said, “It was good to be able to get some of that contact in and hopefully it will hold us in good stead for the early rounds. I thought we defended pretty well actually, not to let a try in, I was really happy.”
“I feel like we have got some good enough attack that if we can hold up with our defence we are going to be in every game. It was pleasing that we have done a lot of defensive work and the first effort we got, we held the team to zero.”
Yass local Lane Davis had a blinder and was making three and four tackles in some sets. He is a star now and will be a star of the future.
“We had our front rower not playing, our fullback only played the first couple of minutes, we didn’t have our centre playing, so we still have a bit to throw in there and we still have some good Raiders players to come back too. I think they have three or four there waiting to come back in.”
It was Berkrey’s first touch of the football in a competitive game in a while and although he didn’t play the entire game, he was solid in the first of three quarters before giving his bench a good run.
“It was my third game in two years. It was good to get a few minutes in and I’m looking forward to progressing and going forward.”
“In the first round we play Goulburn at Goulburn and then we play West Belconnen at West Belconnen and then we have a bye.”
“I’m hoping to get off to a good start. Last year Goulburn had a lot of injuries and they got wiped out. This time they are going to be a very strong side and especially at Goulburn.”
After a number of difficult years at the Magpies where first grade has struggled, there is a feeling of positivity for the country based side in 2025.
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