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Rd 10 – Sharks win local derby

There’s a brotherhood between the men who represent Beaumaris.

It’s a bond that’s bound by the blue and gold fabric in the club jumper.

But it becomes more sentimental when the experience of taking to the field is shared with your brother.

High-marking Sharks defender Ben McLean had the rare opportunity to play alongside his younger brother – Sandringham Zebras-listed swingman, Hayden.

The pair played at polar ends of the ground, but were key pillars in the Sharks’ 7.9 (51) to 11.17 (83) victory over Parkdale.

Ben said it was a moment he had always looked forward to.

“It was really exciting to play with my younger brother. We have both looked forward to playing with each other for a few years and to finally play together was a great moment, especially to have a win,” McLean said.

“We didn’t really say much about the game. I knew he was keen to play for the jumper and to prove his spot to the boys, so he was always going to have a crack.”

Hayden hit the scoreboard with two goals and proved to be a valuable target inside-50.

Ben said Hayden slotted well into his first senior game for the club.

“I thought he played very well. He didn’t know many of the boys nor the structures that we adhere to,” he said.

The Vultures took advantage of the blustery conditions to kick with the wind in the first term.

And by halftime, with the Vultures going in with a seven-point advantage, coach Guy McKenna urged the players to dig deep.

It struck a cord with the playing group outscoring their opponents three goals to 10 in the second half.

Rob Cathcart took his game to another level, slamming three majors in a mesmerising display in the midfield and forward line.

“I thought our second half was a lot better. We showed some good ball movement and started to win some contested footy and put some score pressure on,” McLean said.

“We need to improve our four-quarter efforts. We have struggled to put in 120 minutes of good footy over the last few weeks.

“If we can learn to play more consistent footy over the course of the game it will put us in a stronger position going forward.”

The Sharks, in fifth spot, take on the fourth-placed Caulfield Grammarians, who suffered a shock defeat against Old Haileybury last week.

It’s given the seniors a rare opportunity to leap frog Caulfield, who got the better of the Sharks by 32 points when they last met in round four.

“It’s a big game this week. We must make sure we start well and not let them get the lead they got last time we played them,” he said.

“If we can start well and win the contested footy early, I strongly believe we can beat Caulfield on the weekend.”

Meanwhile, the reserves were 82-point victors over Parkdale on Saturday.

The top-placed Sharks were aptly led by Lachie Howes (four goals) and Max Williams (three goals), as skipper Nick Loucaides was a warrior in defence.

Jack Gabron-Uhe returned from a broken thumb in his first game since round two and is in line for a senior recall on Saturday.