THE Judd Cup might be the Hampden league's night of nights for juniors but president Bob Guiney is suggesting the evening should have greater importance on the calendar of young netballers and footballers. Guiney suggested this week's count, which was well attended, should resemble a school formal. "It should be dress to impress," he said. "The school formal is the most important of the year for kids so why shouldn't it be a bit more like that, the kids deserve the recognition." Guiney said if the event was to become formal - with no denim and no hoodies - a dinner and entertainment should be considered instead of the more casual approach, which included finger food. Guiney agreed the mass exodus of netballers and their families as the count started for the Judd Cup for the best and fairest under 18 footballer was disappointing. He said the length of the night, less than two hours, was appropriate. "We've tinkered with these awards nights for over 10 years and we are still learning. We haven't found the correct formula yet but we are getting closer time-wise." League chief executive Stephen Soulsby revealed next month's Maskell Medal, which had run for close to six hours last year, would be condensed to a three-hour affair, from 1pm to 4pm on Sunday, September 12.
FORMER south-west resident Luke Mugavin, who now resides in Queensland, has secured some high-profile guests for a reunion of ex-locals to head north. Jonathan Brown and Brisbane Lions teammate Matt Maguire, also of South Warrnambool, have agreed to attend the reunion of south-west residents now living in either Brisbane, the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast on November 20 at a yet-to-be determined venue. Mugavin said Kevin "Crazy" Fulton had organised a reunion back in 2004 and more than 70 people turned up. Mugavin said a Facebook page - titled 'Warrnambool Reunion' - started last week, had attracted 12 "friends" already. Anyone with relatives now based in the Sunshine State are urged to email Mugavin for further details via mugavin@hotmail.com
C OBDEN and Koroit, which meet in Sunday's elimination final, had no hesitation in promoting young players for last weekend's final round of home-and-away matches. Koroit elevated Drew O'Grady for his first game, taking the number of debutants to 10 this season, while Cobden brought in Sam Cunnington as a late replacement on Saturday. Cunnington, whose older brother Ben plays with AFL club North Melbourne, is still eligible for under 16s.
Bombers coach James Gellie said he had been impressed by the teenager. "He can play a variety of roles, through half-forward or the midfield," he said. "It gives us a bit of flexibility. He's not afraid to put his head over the football." Gellie is well placed to compare the two Cunningtons, having been on the opposing side when Ben made his debut with the Bombers against Camperdown, kicking 10 goals, a couple of a seasons ago. "He's a strong young kid," he said. "His last month, six weeks, of football has been really good."
SOUTH Rovers utility Brandt Walther, the man responsible for keeping a list of how many games his clubmates play, tried to keep his own 300th game milestone low-key last week. Walther, who started in the under 18s, clocked up his 300th club game (180 seniors and 120 reserves) last Sunday in Rovers' reserves side's first semi-final win over Russells Creek. Walther, who last played seniors in 2007, said he had always wanted to play a couple of seasons in the twos once his career in the highest grade was over. "I didn't think about it (the milestone), you just keep playing because you enjoy it. It does get harder as you get older though," the 35-year-old said. Walther said a grand final berth was not the only goal in Saturday's preliminary final against Merrivale at Reid Oval. Four-time league reserves best and fairest winner John Morton plays his 399th club game for Rovers on Saturday. "It's a big motivating factor for us (to get him to 400 this season)."
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