Show time for seniors

THE south-west region's first senior finals kick off this weekend in the Warrnambool and District Football Netball League. Competition pacesetter Kolora-Noorat has earned a week's rest while Timboon Demons and Merrivale clash in the qualifying final tomorrow at Reid Oval. The elimination final is between Panmure and Dennington on Sunday at Reid Oval. In the netball, Dennington meets Timboon Demons in the qualifying final and Old Collegians plays South Rovers in the elimination final.SPORTING success isn't always judged by premierships and individual awards, as Deakin University netballer Jasmine Bakic proved. The 11-year-old goal attack from Mortlake played in a side which struggled to win one game in the WDFNL 15 and under reserves competition, finishing last on the premiership table. It didn't drain Jasmine's talents or competitive spirit, which was reflected in umpires' votes on Wednesday night at the league's junior best and fairest awards. She finished sixth to East Warrnambool goal attack Sarah Jaynes, which was a noteworthy result given her team's lack of wins meant she attracted only one best-on-court award. After a quiet start to the count Jasmine drew votes in the last 10 rounds for a season tally of 19.HOODIES were a runaway winner in the boys' fashion stakes at the WDFNL junior best and fairest awards. And the must-have accessory for all young footballers and netballers in attendance ... a mobile phone.IRREWARRA-BEEAC'S ongoing search for a first CDFNL premiership as a merged club is likely to involve another confrontation with its nemesis Lorne. The Bombers lost to Lorne in the 2006 and '07 grand finals and with one home-and-away round to play again sit one-two on the ladder. As it did last year, Irrewarra-Beeac will enter the finals a warm favourite on the strength of home-and-away form. But supporters will be looking over their shoulders as Lorne builds towards its post-season campaign with a run of impressive results.NORTH Warrnambool Eagles has ticked off another historical achievement on the field. Its reserves side defeated South Warrnambool for the first time last Saturday at Bushfield Oval, 13.9 (87) to 8.13 (61).Club president Peter Doherty was heartened by the result and said there was added significance with playing coach Aaron Ross leading the side. Doherty said Ross was a member of North's first HFNL senior team in 1997. The win locked the Eagles into a fifth-placed finish, ensuring another piece of history for the club in three weeks. ``Regardless of what the senior side does they will still be our first senior side to play finals,'' Doherty said. ``They're very much taking it in their stride.'' The Eagles chief is also pleased to finally get one back on South Warrnambool. ``South has given us some pretty good touch-ups over the years at reserves and senior level.'' North could yet qualify both its open-age football sides for finals but their seniors face the strong likelihood they must win at least one of their last two matches against Koroit (fourth) and Cobden (third) in the final two rounds.LESS is more for this football follower when free kicks are being handed out, which earns top marks for central umpires Mick Soulsby and Brad Oates in the round 16 HFNL encounter between Cobden and Koroit. The one area where there would be no disputing a penalty is when a player chasing a ball towards the boundary is pushed forcibly into, or over, the fence. Surely such an act endangers the player's welfare and constitutes dangerous play.AWARD-WINNING volunteer Marie Oborne is well known for her selfless contribution to Cobden Football Netball Club. Now the community she supports has a chance to help Marie as she prepares for a guest appearance at the Brownlow Medal count on September 22. The invitation lists dress requirements for women as an evening gown, which our modern-day Cinderella doesn't have in abundant supply in her wardrobe. Any fairy godmothers with a glittering size 14 ensemble (including matching glass slippers) to spare knows what to do.VOLUNTEERS are in the limelight this week, with South Warrnambool announcing it will acknowledge 30 years of service by property steward Ian Sloane tomorrow. Club president Gary Walsh said a presentation would be made to Sloane after tomorrow's game against Terang Mortlake. Walsh said Sloane's match-day activities extended beyond caring for the players' property to cleaning the sheds and washing the jumpers. ``A lot of work goes on behind the scenes, which is appreciated by any club,'' he said. The fixture will also feature a Back To South focus for former players.PERSISTENT rumours premiership wingman Simon Seddon will return to the Koroit line-up for its finals campaign appear to be unfounded. We have it on good authority the gifted midfielder will finish the season with North Ballarat. Seddon played one game with the Saints this season on permit against South Warrnambool, which led to ongoing speculation about the possibility of more regular appearances at Victoria Park.HEATHMERE footballer Justin Stokes has a big stage for his 200th game tomorrow. The Magpies meet arch-rival Westerns in a round 18 match which will shape the finishing positions of both sides and the finals aspirations of the Kangaroos.