Kael sails away

CRANBOURNE’S enigmatic recruit Kael Bergles has walked out on the Eagles after only two games to join former NILMA DARNUM 2009 premiership team mate Jamie Cann, who is now coach of Alberton League side LOWER TARWIN. Reports suggest that the talented Bergles, who has been the leading goalkicker at every team he has played with over the past decade, was dissatisfied with his role as only the third “go-to man” behind stars Marc Holt and Justin Berry at Cranbourne. Bergles finished with 92 goals at Nilma Darnum last season but has managed only two majors in his two appearances with Cranbourne this year, and only one goal in the Eagles’ weekend 118-point demolition of TOORADIN. A Lower Tarwin source indicated that the club was willing to pay out Bergles’ alleged sign-on fee at Cranbourne to gain his services.

TROY Datson is the epitome of the word “clubman” at CRANBOURNE and he was feted by his many mates on Saturday when he pulled on the Eagles jumper for the 200th time. “Dato”, a defender who also coaches the reserves, kicked a rare goal and was named among the senior side’s best players in its belting of TOORADIN. He has filled many roles off field as well as on over his career and we are also told that he has heard every red-head joke known to man over that time.

INJURIES were unfortunately under the spotlight in the clash between ROC and HAMPTON PARK at Starling Road on Saturday. Newly appointed Kangaroos captain Greg Tivendale did not reappear after half-time because of a suspected groin complaint, while Redbacks youngster Chris Barnes also suffered a serious knee injury requiring a stretcher during the game. On that point, it was great to see the medical staff and officials of each club put their rivalries aside and co-operate to assist Barnes from the field and attend to his situation. Great football camaraderie between clubs and that’s what helps keep local footy strong.

GREAT to see GARFIELD and former GIPPSLAND POWER midfielder Luke Tynan make his senior VFL debut for CASEY SCORPIONS in round two against COLLINGWOOD. Tynan put in a handy effort and retained his spot in the side for last Saturday’s stunning win over reigning premiers NORTH BALLARAT. Should the 18-year-old be selected in the seniors again this week he will fly up to Labrador in Queensland to play VFL newcomers GOLD COAST, which will enter the AFL next year. Tynan’s 16-year-old brother, Josh, is also making a name for himself with GIPPSLAND POWER this season, and is regarded as potentially an even better prospect than his older brother. Garfield hopes to have Josh available to play in its senior side three more times this season, but that may be the last time he pulls on a Garfield strip for a while as many good judges believe he is a big chance to be drafted into the AFL next season.

BIG pat on the back to all clubs and teams across the district who observed the minute’s silence in honour of Anzac Day over the weekend. Reports suggest that it was done with the utmost respect. That was certainly the case at BEACONSFIELD where a young defence force member played the Last Post as the Australian flag was raised and the players and crowd stood as one in honour of the fallen. Could have heard a pin drop as they say.

BERWICK will look forward to the return of former captain and popular clubman David van Diemen in the next week or two. “Clogga”, as he is nicknamed, still has not reappeared in a Wickers strip since breaking his leg early in last year’s elimination final loss to NARRE WARREN. It has been a slow recovery for the strong-marking and mobile big man, with eight months having elapsed since he sustained the injury, however, he was the club’s runner on the weekend and said afterwards that he was ready to get back into it.

WITH bags of 10 goals against BULN BULN and NYORA and a further eight goals against LONGWARRY, mercurial WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS forward Mick Santo is the form forward in the competition and well on target to kick a ton this season. The talented Santo is a real crowd pleaser, who regularly takes freakish marks – no doubt assisted by his state league basketball background. Santo doesn’t mind giving his opponents and the crowd a bit of lip either. The Dusties had the confidence to appoint Santo as their vice-captain and it appears his new leadership role has been a masterstroke. The last player to kick 100 goals in the EDFL was CORA LYNN star Darren Sheen, who finished with 130 goals in 2008. Interestingly Sheen has not been sighted on field at Cora Lynn this season, with rumours suggesting he is in dispute with the club and is looking to exit the Cobras.

PEARCEDALE has lost a great warrior in Shane Urbans who officially retired a week ago. Urbans, who was recruited from LANGWARRIN as a talented youngster, was as tough and uncompromising as they came, but the game finally caught up with him and injuries won the battle. The Panthers also had some more bad news last week with conformation that talented Dan Besley, brother of ex-HAMPTON PARK centreman Jack, will not play football again after suffering a severely broken leg against SORRENTO a fortnight ago.
HUGE rumour around two grounds on Saturday that up to five DOVETON players may be having second thoughts about their decision to leave the Robinson Reserve. Apparently one has already departed his Ellinbank League club and several others will be weighing up their prospects before clearances close. The question is will they be welcome back in the Doves nest given the impressive form of the youngsters already blooded by Doves coach Mark Ladgrove?

PROGRESS is being made in the establishment of a Central Administration Hub to look after the area. The plan is for the hub to administer football across the MPNFL, DDJFL MPJFL, FDJFL, Moorabbin Saints Junior Football League and the local women’s league.

NOT that it has any bearing on the local competitions, but all involved with country football, in particular the MPNFL, would wish young assault victim Luke Adams the best in his return to the game. Adams, who was the victim in the well-publicised Hungry Jack’s bashing last year, made a quiet return to the KARINGAL side two weeks ago and has apparently impressed since.

KEEP a close watch on rising NEERIM NEERIM SOUTH youngsters Kody Wilson 16, and 15-year-old Tom Muir, who have both made their presence felt in the seniors over the past two weeks. Their performance comes as no surprise to many in-the-know club insiders as both come from a good pedigree. Wilson’s father Rob played more than 300 games for the Cats and is both a club and league life member, while Muir’s father Dave was a member of their 1982 premiership team. Tom also has two older brothers, Ryan and Scott, on the Cats’ senior list.