DEVON MEADOWS underwent a little unintentional remodelling of its fence line behind the pavilion end goals last week, and consequently has a rather large gap where a couple of panels of the metal structure used to stand.
The story behind this serves as a lesson to all fathers who intend to teach their kids to drive. Gerard Scully, dad of Panther under 18 Aaron Scully, was doing just that in his Volkswagen work van, with young Aaron doing a fine job of driving to the Glover Reserve for training on Thursday night and parking the car behind the goals.
Both got out and dad went to assist the canteen girls while Aaron made his way to the rooms. Unfortunately, Gerard’s driving instructions had apparently not reached the part about the use of a handbrake and the car rolled down the hill and crashed through the fence.
The fence panels had to be dismantled for safety reasons, while the only real damage to father and son was to their pride.
LAST week young PAKENHAM player Jack Kowarzik was credited with a haul of six goals in the Lions victory over TOORADIN. However, that turned out to be a furphy and it was actually big-marking forward Nathan Lieshout who booted the half dozen, including four majors in one dominant quarter.
The question begs: how could this mistake happen? Surely, the usually straight-shooting Lions are not starting to play games just before the finals?
Then again, last year a young chap by the name of Chris Smith was rarely mentioned among the best players during the home and away season and slipped under everyone’s guard to tear it apart during the finals. Looks like the fun and games are beginning again.
BUNYIP took umbrage at last week’s footy short that inferred its new million-dollar plus stadium was lacking football facilities. Bulldogs president Alan Wright said he wanted to make it quite clear that, contrary to last week’s report, the feedback had been excellent.
“All the umpires we have spoken to are rapt in the new facilities. In fact, many are ecstatic with the spaciousness which has enabled them to bring their families in. And they have their own showers,” he said. “Also, it’s a much better atmosphere to discuss footy matters.”
Wright also resented a comment about the opposition camp having to scramble for cover on a barely covered bench seat. “We have planned for opposition teams and have another coaches’ box ready to go, however, we are waiting for a permit from the shire to proceed, which we hope to have prior to the finals.” Bunyip will host an elimination final this year.
CRANBOURNE has lost the services of creative forward Brad ‘Pup’ Coller, who has announced his retirement. Coller made a successful comeback from surgery to both ankles in the Eagles recent reserves game against HAMPTON PARK, but decided that his priorities were elsewhere and informed coach Doug Koop and teammates at training last week.
Coller, who was recruited from EILDON-THORNTON two seasons ago, intends to join the police force and did not want to run the risk of further injury, especially given he also has a young family.
TWO 2009 premiership players who will strengthen the talent pool at PAKENHAM over the coming weeks after returning from overseas are club legend Dan O’Loughlin and burly swingman Adam Cook. O’Loughlin came back from a golf odyssey to Ireland last Wednesday and blew out the cobwebs in the Lions reserves on the weekend, while Cook is expected back next week. While O’Loughlin always keeps himself fit and healthy and is a walk-up start to the seniors, Lions spies are predicting Cook may have somewhat “trained off” during his foray to foreign lands and may have to be used as a burst player. However, both are more than handy inclusions.
THE in-and-under presence of NARRE WARREN midfielder Chris Potalej has been sorely missed over the last two weeks but, as several of his teammates said, it was his own fault.
Potalej copped a two-week suspension for striking against TOORADIN, but one of his so-called mates said he was a bit stiff and should have only got one week.
“Okay, he did throw one but there wasn’t much in it and I just don’t think it’s fair,” said our man.
“Anyone else would have got one week, but they gave him an extra week for striking the bloke’s knee because ‘Potty’ is so short he couldn’t reach any higher.”
KOOWEERUP and NILMA DARNUM will be on the outlook for new coaches over summer after Demons coach Paul Williams and his Bombers counterpart David Ivey announced their intention to step aside at the conclusion of the home and away season.
Williams had a two year stint at Kooweerup, while Ivey only had the one season at the helm at Nilma. The good news for Bomber fans is that Ivey intends to stay on at the club after he kept the 2009 premiers competitive despite two-thirds of their premiership side departing over summer.
The Bombers are presently working on an initiative to develop their junior arm, the details of which will be announced over summer, if not before.
GREAT news for former BERWICK junior Ash Smith, who last week signed a deal to stay with the WEST COAST EAGLES for another two seasons.
The running half back has not played in the senior side this year, but was given a strong indication he is in coach John Worsfold’s plans for the future by being offered the contract extension. Smith, a product of the DANDENONG STINGRAYS, was selected by the West Australian club at pick 36 in the 2008 AFL draft and played four senior games in his debut season.
NEERIM NEERIM SOUTH’s coming elimination final appearance will celebrate a big testimonial for one of the club’s favourite son’s, Jason ‘Jack’ Halligan, who barring injury, will then chalk up his 300th senior game.
It will be the Cats first finals appearance since 2002. Halligan, a tough utility who is 37, started in the Cats junior ranks in 1981 and has won three senior best and fairest awards and was twice runner-up. He has been an interleague representative four times and is entitled to club and EDFL life membership.
NICE gesture by DOVETON during their recent clash with BEACONSFIELD. The same two sides met in the SWGFL grand final in 1981 with Beacy having a huge victory over the Doves.
Current Eagles president John Airdrie was the side’s full forward that day and, as tradition of the time demanded, players swapped jumpers at the end of the game, with Airdrie trading his guernsey with rugged Doveton full back John Finn.
Twenty-eight years later, Airdrie now has his jumper back after Finn presented it to him during the half time break in the game a fortnight ago, with both men enjoying the memories of their careers over a beer. Doveton president Mark Woolgar joined in the spirit of the occasion and offered to get the jumper framed for display, but when it was suggested that Airdrie try to put it on, he took one look and politely declined, declaring that ‘it must have shrunk in the wash’.
WARRAGUL has endured a wretched season but hopes to finish on a high note with a past players and officials day at Western Park on 21 August. The event will coincide with the Gulls final game for 2010 against WONTHAGGI.
The function starts at noon and entry is $20, which includes food.
MAFFRA celebrated its century as a football club on Saturday night with the highlight being the induction of CARLTON 1968 premiership forward Bill Bennett into the Hall of Fame.
Another standout moment occurred when long time administrator Jim Hill was announced as a club legend, only the second person to achieve the honour behind premiership coach Wayne Butcher.
THE venues for this year’s Gippsland League finals were announced on Sunday and are as follows: Saturday, 28 August, Qualifying final at TRARALGON, Sunday, 29 August, Elimination final at WONTHAGGI, Saturday, 4 September, Second semi-final at SALE, Sunday, 5 September, First semi-final at WARRAGUL, Saturday, 11 September, Preliminary final at MAFFRA, Saturday, 18 September, Grand final at MORWELL.
