By Lance Jenkinson
Is Stephen Brewer the most valuable addition to a team in the Western Region Football League division 1 in 2019?
Brewer has not drawn the headlines of some players in the premiership-contending teams, but he is arguably more important because of where Caroline Springs is placed in its top-flight evolution.
The 35-year-old was inspirational for the Lakers in a 26-point win over Sunshine Kangaroos at Town Centre Oval on Saturday.
For a fourth time in the past six games, Brewer was named the Lakers’ best player.
Could a big finish to the season see him get the nod for the Barry Priest Medal for best-and-fairest in the competition?
Brewer’s impact in the win over Sunshine was profound as he led one of the youngest Lakers teams ever assembled to a memorable victory.
While Brewer was steering the ship, the young Lakers had a front row seat to watch how hard he worked to put the Lakers into a winning position.
Lakers football director Marc Raak speaks glowingly of Brewer on a weekly basis.
“The way he runs and links up with players is great,” Raak said. “He’ll be in the backline getting a hands off one moment, then he’ll be in the midfield kicking it inside 50.
“He’s running 17, 18 kilometres a game, going by his GPS results, which is sensational.
“He’s breaking the lines for us and he just keeps going all four quarters. He’s a smart footballer, but very fit as well, and he got the rewards today.”
This was a win for the young and old – Caroline Springs fielded four players 17 or under.
“This is our youngest [senior] team we’ve ever fielded on a football ground,” Raak said.
“We had two 16 year-olds in Tyler Gysberts and Cody Raak, then we had Mutaz [El Nour] and Mason Bawden, who are both 17.
“It’s just fantastic for our club that this youth is coming through.”
Raak played his 100th game for Caroline Springs, while Jake Knuckey, a junior product, played his 200th.
Knuckey was one of the Lakers’ best in defence, along with Max Lennard.
Another teenager, Brian Gill, starred on a wing, while Lewis Tudor excelled down back.
Caroline Springs will be gunning for its third win in four games when it faces bottom-of-the-ladder Albion under lights at JR Parsons Reserve on Saturday from 6pm.
Elsewhere in division 1, St Albans’ wayward kicking for goal proved costly in an 18-point loss to Werribee Districts.
The Saints had 31 scoring shots to 29, but finished with 12.19.
Albion seems destined for the wooden spoon after its was thrashed by 141 points away to second-last Point Cook, which has opened up a two-game-and-percentage break between the two sides.
In division 3, Sunshine Heights continued its sparkling form with a 28-point win over Tarneit. It was the third-placed Heights fifth win in a row.
Albanvale won by 31 points over Wyndham Suns despite its horror day in front of goals, kicking 8.23.
Braybrook won its first game with caretaker coach John Hughes in charge.
The Brookers defeated North Sunshine by 98 points.
For a full story on the Brookers’ coaching change, CLICK HERE.
