POPULAR umpire Norm Gibson returned to the fray last weekend for Port Fairy after breaking his scaphoid bone in a match three weeks ago. Gibson, who has been involved in umpiring for 38 years, has acted as the Seagulls’ reserves umpire for the past three seasons. But during the round 13 match he was running backwards, slipped and went to break his fall by putting his hand on the ground. With the swelling remaining, on the Tuesday he was diagnosed with the broken bone in his left wrist. “I’ve never broken a bone in my life,” Gibson said. “This is my first umpiring injury I’ve ever suffered. You have plaster up to your elbow, you can’t hide it.” Gibson said he would return tomorrow with his arm still in the cast. “You are a long time dead, I might as well keep enjoying it while I can,” he said.
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THE Warrnambool and District Football Umpires Association (WDFUA) acknowledged a milestone for central umpire Cory Mahony on the weekend. Mahony officiated in his 350th game.
A PAST players function exceeded expectations for Warrnambool recently. The Blues set up a marquee for the home game, which was the first-versus-second encounter with Terang Mortlake, expecting between 50 to 60 participants. Joint organiser Gerard Duynhoven said about 100 turned up, exceeding the expectations of the club’s past players’ group. Duynhoven said the gathering was the brainchild of Lee McCorkell and aimed at bringing former players back to the football. With the marquee situated on the hill near the northern-end goals at Reid Oval, it added welcome atmosphere to the contest.
WHILE the prospect of Warrnambool remaining undefeated had tongues wagging, the Blues’ senior side wasn't the only one in the region starting to eye becoming premier and champion. South Warrnambool’s under 18s are also yet to be beaten while Glenthompson-Dunkeld’s reserves in the Mininera league are also well versed in the club song. Spare a thought for Merrivale’s under 14-anda-half side who were fifth on the ladder last weekend and fighting for a finals spot despite not being outscored this season. The Tigers were stripped of their past seven wins because they played an ineligible player.
CAMPERDOWN’S Adam Roberts celebrated his 200th senior game on the weekend. While his exploits in Ireland are now well known, we thought it was worth revealing how he got his nickname “Wad”. Apparently his older brother had trouble pronouncing Adam when he was a youngster and his version “Wadam” stuck and continues to stick, albeit in an abbreviated form.
EARLY-MORNING boxing sessions with Warrnambool personal trainer Rod Ryan helped prepare South Warrnambool’s Sam Stevens for his 250th club game with the Roosters. Stevens, who started his career at the Friendly Societies’ Park which included a grand final appearance with the Geelong Falcons in TAC Cup competition, returned to the Roosters this season to help out their reserves team after stints at Irrewarra-Beeac and Dennington in recent years.
FOR those interested in statistics, a computer error at league headquarters led to incorrect tallies for Hampden’s leading goalkickers being released for publication last week. Warrnambool’s Jason Rowan continues to be the runaway leader but he has 77 goals, not 71 as published. With three rounds left, he is an outside chance of topping the ton before the finals.
HERE at pre-game we take a keen interest in what happens just prior to the opening bounce. Two clubs trialled different routines recently. Warrnambool and District reigning premier Kolora-Noorat completed its full warm-up in the changerooms before disposing of Timboon Demons. “We stayed in the sheds,” coach Ben Kenna said. “We tried to condense it a bit and get the boys pumped up.” The Power went on to collect a 53-point win, suggesting the unusual preparation could be a new weapon heading into finals. “It will depend on where we are and how big the rooms are,” Kenna said. Hampden league side South Warrnambool was also nowhere to be seen before the match against Port Fairy at Gardens Oval. The reserves game finished, the Seagulls senior side ran out, the first siren went, the umpires walked out, the second siren went and still no South. A good five minutes passed before the Roosters, who were warming up 200 metres from the ground, trotted onto the field.
SOCCER fever may have dwindled but one youngster at the Port Fairy-South Warrnambool match was trying to recreate the FIFA World Cup atmosphere at Gardens Oval. He trumpeted his blue vuvezela enthusiastically for much of the reserves and senior football games.
