JACK’S FULL OF BEANS

JACK Berry says he feels a sense of vindication in the way he has performed for Werribee.

Cut by Geelong’s VFL team and ignored for the Cats’ preseason training squad, Berry has found a new home at Werribee and is thriving in the role as its No.1 ruckman.

“There was a bit of motivation to show that I can do it,” the Leopold premiership ruckman said, grateful to receive a second chance at the Tigers.

“I feel like I can play at the level, and to go out there and prove that I can, is exciting.”

Playing only three matches with Geelong, Berry found himself on the outer when he failed to receive a call up from VFL coach Shane O’Bree.

“I was disappointed. I was a little bit surprised to not at least get asked back to preseason,” he said.

“But with the way their ruck set-up is, with four AFL-listed ruckmen, there wasn’t really the opportunities to play as many games as I would’ve liked at VFL level.

“The opportunity arose to play here in the VFL and I was obviously going to take that over the option of being on the sidelines at Geelong.”

Entering a career-defining pre-season at Avalon Airport Oval, Berry knew there were no guarantees.

He was one of four ruckmen in the initial squad, including Nick Nott who was fighting for a place on the senior list.

“There were a couple of other ruckmen in the squad and I was directly competing against them,” Berry said.

“I just tried to put my best foot forward and leading into the practice matches I thought I was a chance to play Round 1.”

As it turned out, two players were cut, leaving Berry and Nott to fight for the No.1 mantle.

“I was doing everything that was asked of me,” Berry said.

“I was ticking off the sessions, putting in as much recovery as a I could and asking plenty of questions around the coaches. I was just trying to soak it all in.”

Four rounds into the VFL season, he is the Tigers’ go-to man.

Spending 60 per cent of the game in the ruck, Berry also takes the first centre “Early on, there was a real focus on getting a collision in the ruck. “Going up against some really experienced players, the coaches just wanted me to cause a collision and follow up around the ground, which was really important. “The main point was to not get beaten, and if you are getting beaten, make it to our advantage.” Lamont was full of praise for the former Colac junior. “He’s done really well,” he said. “We’ve been blessed that Todd Goldstein played a couple of games for us as well as Braydon Preuss and Dan Currie before that, but Jack and Nick — two Geelong-based boys — have come in and played their roles. “Jack’s been nice and competitive and we’re really pleased with how he’s going.” In a rich vein of form, Berry is unlikely to spent much time — if any — in Leopold colours this season. But he remains determined to play a small part in the Lions’ premiership bid. “The VFL bye is coming up, so I might be a chance to don the colours then, but I’m still not sure,” Berry said. “The boys are going well down there, so it’s hard. They’re playing exciting footy, that’s for sure. “I wouldn’t put it past them (winning a premiership). They’ll give it a fair sniff.”