**There would appear to be several WARAGUL INDUSTRIALS reserves players looking for a game in the seniors after senior coach Harmit Singh kicked 10 goals in the Dusties 132-point reserves win over KILCUNDA-BASS on Saturday. Either Singh is an absolute ball-magnet…or several of his Dusties teammates looked after the cockroach rather nicely.
**AFL360 host Gerard Whately is probably the greatest critic of goal-line technology…or more a stickler for doing it right if you’re going to do it at all. Whately would have had a fit if he saw the howler that took place during BEACONSFIELD’s Eastern Division One clash against CROYDON on Saturday. A Beaconsfield goal was disallowed in the third quarter, despite clearly missing the post as it rolled past the woodwork. Eagles coach Mick Fogarty refused to comment when asked about the incident…that may have proved crucial in a close game. We’ll speak on your behalf Mick…it was an absolute shocker!
**PAKENHAM women’s coach Rick Stalker is a man of principle and still can’t believe his team has to travel for the second time in four weeks to OLINDA FERNY CREEK this Saturday. Stalker really has a bee in his bonnet about this one…and you can understand why. Just imagine the outcry if a men’s senior team was forced to do the same. The Lions only play four home games this season as well…another reason for the Lions coach to feel aggrieved.
**Some big milestones played out on the weekend, with CORA LYNN’s Brady White playing his 200th game against KORUMBURRA-BENA on Saturday. Under-18 player Jordan McGrath chalked up game 100 for the Cobras, while NAR NAR GOON champion Brendan Hermann played his 150th senior game for the Goon. ‘Baz’ has been a superstar for the Goon, winning four senior best and fairests, and six overall at the club. He has captained the seniors since 2019 and has played 221 games since heading to Spencer Street in 2008. Congratulations to all three players on their achievements.
**The message from an influential figure at GEMBROOK-COCKATOO is simple…don’t trust politicians at election time. The Brookers are totally frustrated that they are still waiting for their new rooms to open…with the most recently promised opening date of this Saturday, 21 May, now also being cancelled. The Brookers are totally fed up at the lack of action taking place, especially when they continue to see other venues popping from the ground…in the same shire…at regular intervals. Our source – let’s call him Brad – wanted to make one point clear…he’s not speaking on behalf of the committee! And you can tell its election time again, with several local sporting clubs being used to pump up politicians promises this week.
**Young stars are certainly having an impact around our region with several players either making debuts or making significant contributions on the weekend. Kade De La Rue, son of Ben, made his senior debut for BEACONSFIELD and impressed with his role in the forward line. Xavier Shinners, son of NARRE WARREN premiership coach Matt Shinners, debuted for TOORADIN-DALMORE and kicked a six-pointer, while NAR NAR GOON’s Paddy Cross has played some terrific footy for the Young Guns against VIC METRO and VIC COUNTRY over the last fortnight, putting his name into AFL Mid-Season Draft contention. And it was great to see Aiden and Nate Pipicelli play their first games together in the Goon seniors. Well done youngsters…the future of our game is in good hands.
**This week is National Volunteer Week, where we celebrate the wonderful contributions of our off-field heroes, such as Melva Bonham, this week’s Volunteer of the Week. Every Saturday, at every club, an army of people come together to somehow make things work. To the volunteers out there, you’re all legends, every single one of you! The West Gippsland Football Netball League will also highlight another fantastic cause in round 10…when Mental Health Round takes place.
**WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS aren’t mucking around with hosting duties for their Life Members and Sponsors Day this week with former COLLINGWOOD President Eddie McGuire set to take the day through its paces. Eddie has some pretty good dad jokes…so let’s hope he brings a few of those along for the ride. One of our favourites…What did one fish say to the other when he swam into a concrete wall? Dam!
**Congrats to ROWVILLE junior BIGOA NYUON who made his debut on the weekend for the RICHMOND footy club. In one of the better ‘I am debuting’ phone calls, ‘Biggie’ was rocketed back down to earth by his older sister, who didn’t even have his number saved in her phone, ‘who’s this?’ she asked as Biggie broke the news… nothing like a sibling to keep you in check.
**How many best and fairest trophies can they hand out in one year? There were more bnf winners than years played at the PAKENHAM premiership reunion on Saturday. Come on lads, five flags is impressive enough, no need to claim bnf’s were won in all of them!
**There was a key player missing from a premiership contender on Saturday, he has tweaked his string. Club is confident it will be a one week break, but it’s fair to say they missed his presence.
**LUKE HODGE will pull on the DEVON MEADOWS threads 18 JUNE. Not that the Panthers need a four time premiership player and two time Norm Smith Medallist, but he will be welcomed with open arms for the clash with Seaford.
**KYLE MARTIN continues to take the absolute p**s out of the EFNL. He had a lazy 41 disposals and two goals on Saturday, as a result many labelled him the GOAT of local footy on social channels. What do you have to say about that, Cranbourne Football Club?
**Former CORA LYNN jet RYAN GILLIS loves a bit of fan engagement. He got into some chat with the MORNINGTON crowd on Saturday, he was given a talking to by his SOMERVILLE coach and then proceeded to kick about four goals in as many minutes. He is dominating the MPNFL with 22 goals from his six games.
**Talking about the MPNFL, how about the LANGWARRIN under-19s? The young Roos had a percentage of over 1000 before Saturday and have just conceded 10 goals in five games. They conceded four goals on the weekend though, back to the drawing board after the floodgates opened.
**Concerns are beginning to simmer about the credibility of the AFLOE. The competition has lost Berwick, Beaconsfield, Cranbourne and Doveton in recent years and with the dominance of NARRE WARREN, clubs are beginning to discuss its future in the competition.
**ANGUS COOPER at just 16 years of age has made his debut for Springvale Districts Reserve‘s side. Cooper kicked three goals and the match-winner from 20 meters out to seal the deal. What a debut for the young-gun.
