No rush to adopt rule

COUNTRY football isn't rushing into one of the sport's contentious new rules. Victorian Country Football League operations manager Brett Connell told The Standard the rushed behind rule would be monitored for its effectiveness in the AFL this season. "The VCFL rules committee did discuss the implementation of the AFL law related to rushed behinds and it was felt unnecessary to introduce to WorkSafe VCFL leagues in 2009,'' Connell said. "A survey of leagues by the VCFL rules committee (post-season 2008) did not mention that there was a worrying trend and as such the VCFL have chosen to not adopt the law.'' Connell said that without VCFL specific data relating to the incidence of rushed behinds the rules committee chose to err on the side of caution. As the law was adopted after AFL pre-season trials VCFL bodies chose to monitor the implementation of the law across the 2009 AFL season and consider its implementation for the 2010 VCFL season, based upon league feedback, he said.SUCH are the achievements of record-breaking Warrnambool goal umpire Barry Cumming that there wasn't space to include them all in an article last Friday. Some of his career highlights are:*Started umpiring 1980.*Has the record for most WDFUA goal games.*Two under 13 grand finals.*Three under 14 grand finals.*Three under 16 grand finals.*Two under 18 grand finals.*Seven reserve grand finals.*Hampden senior grand finals in 1980, 1988, 1989 and 1997.*Warrnambool and District league senior grand finals in 1981, 1985, 1996 and 1999.*Mt Noorat league senior grand final in 1982.Cumming also played about 120 games with South Warrnambool and several seasons with West End-Allansford.LIAM Picken's impressive AFL debut with Western Bulldogs added another chapter to a powerful Western District football dynasty. The former Hamilton footballer is the son of Bill Picken (Collingwood, Sydney Swans) and brother of Marcus (Brisbane Lions, Western Bulldogs). His first cousin is Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions), uncles Brian Brown (Fitzroy, Essendon) and Noel Mugavin (Fitzroy, Richmond). Another of Picken's cousins, Jeremy Mugavin, is playing with Collingwood in the VFL. Picken showed no signs of being daunted by a tagging role on North Melbourne midfielder Brent Harvey. The hard-working young footballer restricted Harvey to 18 possessions and one inside 50 entry, as well as earning nine of his own touches. Picken found a way onto the Bulldogs' rookie list outside the traditional development system, playing with Williamstown in the VFL. Picken got his first taste of AFL action on the same weekend as Geelong midfielder Simon Hogan (Warrnambool, Geelong Falcons), who earned five kicks and eight handballs playing off interchange against Richmond.WITH an open clearances system in play, the importance of staying on good terms with players who leave a club is now even more important for country football survival. It is underlined by Penshurst, which counted 16 former players among 18 recruits during the off-season. For a small town, Penshurst can also boast one of the most successful junior development programs going around. Taylor McKenry and James North are on the North Ballarat Rebels squad this season, following in the footsteps of Brenton McKenry, Jason Linke, Darren Ewing and Justin Eales, among others.WHILE Grant and Shane Ewing contributed a combined tally of 10 goals to the Penshurst cause on Saturday the career of another sibling, Darren, is heating up in Darwin. After a successful NTFL campaign Darren was chosen to represent the league in the QAFL. His selection was based on a return of 89 goals for Palmerston Magpies in the NT domestic competition. TALENTED siblings were also being discussed in Warrnambool lawn bowls circles last week when Duane Edwards combined with Carl Schapel to win a $10,000 pairs tournament. Edwards, of Tailem Bend, is the brother of indestructible Adelaide Crows onballer Tyson and as our picture shows, the pair visit the same hairdresser.DAVID Watson has confirmed the Mininera and District Football League will again host the regional junior carnival next month in Hamilton. The league president expects teams from Mount Gambier, Portland, Casterton, Hamilton, MDFL, WDFNL and HFNL at Pedrina Park on May 31.DEBBIE Russell contacted The Standard from Broome this week with a football update on her husband Tony, who is well known to football followers across the Western District. The record-breaking HFNL goalkicker coached Cable Beach Football Club to grand final in the West Kimberly Lightning Premiership last weekend but lost by eight points. Cable Beach won all four qualifying games to reach the grand final, with some played in 37-degree heat. Its last game was only 30 minutes before the grand final. Debbie says her 48-year-old husband played one game and kicked two goals before suffering a thigh injury. The 2009 season kicks off in two weeks.