‘Sunny’ shines for Lions

THE world was again a happy place at PAKENHAM on Saturday, with the Lions smacking BERWICK by 72 points and doing it without several key players, including Nathan Brown, Daniel Fry and Chris Kent. Even better news was the return of triple premiership hero Glen ‘Sunny’ Wouters in the reserves. The loss of Wouters’ hardness and leadership has been cited by many at Toomuc Reserve as a major reason for the Lions slow start to the year – and there were tentative smiles all around when the big bloke quietly took to the field in the early game.

CATANI debutant Barry Parsons did not take too long to catch the eye of Blues fans against WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS on Saturday – but regrettably, it was for all the wrong reasons. Recruited from DEVON MEADOWS, Parsons lined up on enigmatic Dusties spearhead Mick Santo, and was reported for striking him after a push and shove. Even more amazingly (possibly a first for a new recruit) the incident took place before the first bounce, so technically he had not even played for the Blues when he was reported. Interestingly, Parsons, who bloodied Santo’s nose, refused to accept a one-match suspension and has opted to challenge the report. Santo was not too fazed by the early altercation and went on to kick five goals and maintain his position at the head of the EDFL goalkicking table with 41 majors.

AND while on the subject of reports, giant BERWICK spearhead Grant Noonan will be missing from the Wickers’ goalsquare for a couple of weeks after deciding not to contest a rough play charge at the MPNFL tribunal. That charge was laid in the final term of the Wickers underwhelming loss to PAKENHAM and involved a clash with Lions full back Michael Hicks. Taking the key defensive role after the withdrawal of regular Lion stopper Nathan Brown, Hicks soundly beat Noonan, keeping the 2009 league leading goalkicker to only one major and sparking a bout of frustration.

SILENCE fell over LONGWARRY on Saturday when CORA LYNN youngster Matt Wilson, in only his second game, was involved in an accidental clash that led to him being placed in a neck brace and carried from the field motionless. The good news is Wilson returned home from hospital on Sunday afternoon and, while he initially reported numbness in his fingers, is expected to make a full recovery. Wilson, the Cobras under 18 captain, is lightly framed, but is a tough customer, having last year beaten a life-threatening bout of viral meningitis.

NOBODY is more eager for this week’s clash between GARFIELD and BULN BULN than Brent Eastwell. The current Stars coach captain-coached the Lyrebirds for three years prior to joining Garfield in 2009 and, with four senior best and fairest trophies, is one of Buln Buln’s most highly respected players. “It will be good to catch up with a few old mates and I’m really looking forward to the game. I can’t wait to return to the red mud up there,” chirped Eastwell after his team’s big win over NEERIM NEERIM SOUTH.

AS predicted in Footy Shorts a fortnight ago, ex-DOVETON players Nathan Wilson and Shannon Henwood look set to return to the Robinson Reserve. Wilson followed his brother Corrie to NYORA this year but has had a tough time of it in the EDFL, copping his first career suspension and struggling to adjust to the lower level of football. He has told Doves officials he will be back at the club after this weekend’s interleague bye. Henwood has been playing with FRANKSTON DOLPHINS reserves but has also indicated to Doveton officials he wants to return. Now all the Doves need to do is coax premiership spearhead Ryan Brown out of retirement and suddenly the side will again have an ominous look about it.

WORD out of BEACONSFIELD suggests 2009 coach and former star player Robbie Taylor was very hesitant to don the club runners’ uniform before he took on the duties as under 18s runner this year. One club insider said Taylor took one look at the fluoro green top and shorts and said words to the effect that ‘it “had to be a set-up”. Apparently, he could not believe anyone would be made to wear that sort of gear on a football field. However, Robbie did become the little green man and carried out his duties with flair – prompting hopes by many he may swap the runners’ garb for an Eagles jumper before the season is out.

ONE that slipped through to the ‘keeper last week was that NARRE WARREN and BERWICK legend, the late Pat Sweeney, whose contribution to local football was honoured during the clash between the two neighbouring rivals, also had a hefty connection at PAKENHAM. Pat was the grandfather of two of the Lions favourite sons, Dan and Tom O’Loughlin. Wouldn’t the Magpies and Wickers loved to have reaped the benefits of the brothers over the years?!
THE bulldozers will move in and dig up Glover Reserve at DEVON MEADOWS immediately the Panthers leave the field after their round 18 clash with BEACONSFIELD. And, despite the inconvenience, club officials are thrilled. Assuming the Panthers’ current form continues and they make the 2010 finals, they will have to train elsewhere over that period, and possibly look to play home games in 2011 at the racecourse oval at Cranbourne. However, a new playing surface is long overdue at Devon Meadows and the 12-month renovation will produce a top-class surface, together with the ground moved so cars can get all the way around it. In more news from the Panther pit, super talented youngster Brandon Wapshott has decided to try his luck in the VFL with FRANKSTON. The youngster played the first three games with the Meadows as a 17 year-old and, after his 18th birthday, took up the Dolphins offer of a run with the full blessing of the Panthers and coach Steve O’Brien.

CATANI officials and supporters were left stunned by their team’s abject first half against WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS, which yielded only one behind. Not one club insider could recall anything like their aimless performance and Blues stalwart Tony McFarlane, who has been involved at the club since 1980, summed up the feeling. “When we were down the bottom, we never suffered a defeat like that. It was without doubt the worst performance we have ever seen,” he said. The only consolation was that McFarlane’s son, Luke, kicked the Blues opening goal – but it took until the 10 minute mark of the third quarter!

WHAT happens in the POOWONG club rooms at half time? The Magpies have been outscored in the second half for the last five weeks, and what would really bug coaching staff is that on three occasions, against BUNYIP in round two, LONGWARRY in round four and last week against NYORA, the Magpies were leading at the main break. Poowong won their opening match against NILMA DARNUM but also struggled after half time. Who’s spiking the Gatorade?!

GOOD to see a couple of Casey Cardinia League clubs keen to acknowledge their ladies over the weekend. KEYSBOROUGH set up a well-populated ladies marquee at the ‘Paris end’ of the Rowley Allen Reserve, and then on Sunday, CRANBOURNE put on a decent lunchtime shindig for their girls in the social rooms before the Eagles played ROC.

BUNYIP was delighted with the success of their 1990 and 2000 premiership reunions on Saturday. Almost all their former champions turned up but were disappointed with the Bulldogs’ loss to BULN BULN. The Bulldogs are presently decimated by injury, something reinforced by club president Alan Wright, who did not want to make excuses, but did say that since joining Bunyip in 1981, it was by far the worst year he had seen for injury. “Twelve senior guys missed this week and at least another eight were missing from the reserves. Even worse, many of our injuries are four to six week ones,” he lamented.

GREAT effort from DROUIN’s ‘Big’ Bobby McCallum, who played his 100th game on Saturday against SALE. With a very young team and a lot of churn at the club in recent years, he becomes only the third player behind John Perry and Ben Proctor still at the Hawks to achieve the century over the last decade.

MORWELL’s number one ticket holder, Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle, was pleased to watch his team play arch rivals MOE on Sunday, but a trifle disappointed with their lacklustre 15-point loss despite a late rally. Siddle is making a good recovery from stress fractures in his back which cut short his summer, and is presently training with CARLTON Football Club to aid his recovery. He plans to resume bowling for the Victorian Bushrangers in November, no doubt with an aim to break back into the Australian team for the Ashes series this summer. Siddle was a top junior footballer and played senior football at Morwell as a 16 year-old.