HAMPDEN will attempt to defend its division two crown at the Victorian schoolboys carnival next week in Melbourne. More than 500 of Victoria's best under 15 footballers line up in four divisions on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with Hampden taking on Central Murray, Wimmera and East Gippsland in division two. Ballarat, the reigning division one champion, will be challenged by Ovens & Murray, Bendigo, La Trobe, Geelong and Goulburn Murray. Current AFL players to progress from the under 15 program include Joel Selwood, Scott Selwood, Steele Sidebottom, Ayce Cordy, Patrick Dangerfield, Travis Boak, Liam Picken and Shannon Watt. "This carnival has 50 years of history as the pre-eminent country schoolboys carnival in the state,'' said VCFL general manager Glenn Scott.
YOUNG goalkicking ace Nathan Krepp is racing towards a three-figure aggregate in WDFNL under 14 competition after bagging 12 against Panmure in round 11 matches. The athletic forward lines up against bottom side East Warrnambool this weekend and with South Rovers undefeated, Nathan should get plenty of opportunities to build on his 91 goals. His weekly aggregate of 8.27 suggests reaching the 100 target is within reach at Reid Oval.
THE more things change, the more they stay the same at Panmure Football Netball Club. A reunion of the club's 1979 premiership team last weekend provided a telling insight into the rapidly-changing face of football-netball competitions in the region. The Bulldogs won the flag in the Mount Noorat Football League, then had a stint in the Heytesbury Mount Football Netball League before settling in the Warrnambool and District Football Netball League. For all the progress off the field, some things haven't changed much on it. Paddy Heffernan, who coached the 1979 team, got to watch his sons Sam and Matt represent the Bulldogs on Saturday against South Rovers. It was an eventful day for Matt, who broke his arm in the opening quarter and missed the post-match reunion activities. Paddy later summed up the sentiments of reunion visitors by saying he always felt welcome at Panmure. Reunion organising committee member Maree Condon said more than 100 people attended, including 17 players from the 1979 team. Condon said they included ruckman John Worland, of Ariah Park, New South Wales, who had missed a 20-year reunion. She said the club was now considering a
reunion of the 1968 premiership side.
THERE will also be a nostalgic atmosphere at Timboon Recreation Reserve tomorrow for the WDFNL round 12 fixture. Timboon Demons hosts Merrivale against the backdrop of a "back to the beginning'' reunion, which is expected to attract up to 250 participants. The reunion will celebrate the histories of Timboon and Heytesbury and their successful merger after the 2002 season.
INTERESTING to see Paul Couch add to the speculation about his nephew Matt Maguire's playing future at St Kilda. The 1989 Brownlow Medallist was quoted in the Herald Sun yesterday saying the Saints risked losing Maguire if they did not play him this season. Maguire, a former South Warrnambool footballer, appears to have shrugged off a crippling run of leg and foot injuries but has been consigned to VFL action this season with Sandringham.
HAMILTON Imperials is seeking community support to raise money for a new team van. The club has signed up to a loyalty program with a major telco. Customers who purchase selected products can nominate Imps to receive a $25 rebate and $10 for the WBFL. "Our community has always been great at getting behind us and were asking them to get behind us again,'' urged Hamilton Imperials president Keven Quinn. Details of the program are available from the club.
LIGHTS, camera ... action. Country footy legends who can handle match-day pressures will soon be put to the small-screen test. The VCFL and its major sponsor are searching for up to five "legends'' to front a 2010 television advertising campaign promoting workplace safety. The ads will continue successful commercials already screened in regional Victoria which highlight footy heroes of yesteryear. Nominations can be made for the latest campaign to the Worksafe website.
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