LAST Saturday’s draw between South Warrnambool and Warrnambool at the Friendly Societies’ Park added further fuel to the debate about this season being the most even in years. It was the third draw this season (North Warrnambool v Koroit and North Warrnambool Eagles v Port Fairy the other games) and fourth in the last 12 rounds of senior footy with North Warrnambool Eagles and Camperdown deadlocked in round 17 last year. Extend the search for draws a bit further and there have also been ties in both the reserves and under 18s this season, making it five draws in 10 rounds of footy competition. To put this season’s number of senior draws in perspective, in the 10 seasons between 2000 and 2009, there were three senior draws in total (one in 2009, 2006 and 2004). And spare a thought for South Warrnambool secretary Kristie Prendergast, who endured the emotionally-draining finish to the drawn game with Warrnambool. Kristie was still recovering from the same fate for her beloved AFL team Melbourne five days earlier. The Demons shared the points with Collingwood (9.22 to 11.10) at the MCG on June 14. Kristy explained she was genetically programmed to be a one-eyed Melbourne supporter, blaming a family love affair with the club.
PENSHURST veteran Leigh Uebergang reckons 2010 might be his last season after clocking up his 400th game with the Bombers last Saturday. The 39-year-old, who has played mostly seniors this year, brought up the milestone in the club’s reserves win against Caramut. "I will see what happens," he said of his future. "If they are short I will (play on) but this could be the last year. I said that in 2005 and I’m still going. You never say never but it is getting too hard on a Monday and Tuesday at work. It (retirement) is coming closer." The shearer said that if he had a less-physically demanding job he might have had another couple of years in him. Uebergang, a born and bred Penshurst boy, started with the club in the juniors in 1981 and moved into senior ranks in 1987, tasting success with the Bombers in their hat-trick of flags (1991-93) as a rover. He has had a stellar career which includes five premierships with the club, five best and fairest awards and two Mininera league best and fairests from his 334 senior matches and 66 in the twos. He was awarded a club life membership in 2004.
MELBOURNE young gun Jack Trengove’s first visit to Warrnambool for a training camp will be long remembered. Trengove set a new record at the gym of Warrnambool boxing coach/fitness trainer Rodney Ryan, completing 105 sit-ups (including throwing two punches on the end of each sit-up) in two minutes. Apparently some of Trengove’s teammates weren’t so enthusiastic about the challenge, opting out because of sore backs.
FORMER Carlton premiership player Dean Rice will take Hawkesdale-Macarthur’s junior and senior training sessions on July 1. The former Blue and St Kilda 234-game player is now the training and education manager with the Victorian Country Football League. He will pay special focus to the club’s juniors starting at 5pm at the Macarthur Recreation Reserve.
COBDEN supporters are pleased to find Sydney Swans rookie Gary Rohan unchanged by his increased immersion in the world of AFL. Rohan, 19, was home for a mid-season break last week after breaking into the Swans’ line-up and playing six successive matches. It was like he’d never left. His smiling face was spotted at the town’s primary and secondary schools, according to one club source, and he joined the Bombers’ under 14 team for training last Thursday. While Rohan’s presence at the club creates a feel-good vibe for members, players and supporters, it is a two-way experience. "I love it ... it’s great," Rohan told The Standard during a break in the Cobden-Terang Mortlake game on Saturday. "I love coming home where I started my footy." Rohan’s return also gave him the chance to catch up with his girlfriend Aime McGlade, who plays netball with Cobden’s 17 and under team.
CAMPERDOWN export Easton Wood has battled two shoulder reconstructions but that’s nothing compared to meeting fellow Western Bulldogs footballers Barry Hall, Jason Akermanis, Adam Cooney and Brian Lake for the first time. "As soon as you get over the first incidence when you meet them, you realise they’re just normal people," he said. "They all have unique characteristics." Wood has played in the past two matches for the Bulldogs against Brisbane Lions and West Coast Eagles. However, the half-backman said gun full-back Brian Lake was not too forthcoming with advice. "He doesn’t say too much," Wood said. "He’s a funny man around the club. (Instead) Robert Murphy has taken me under his wing."
DARTMOOR’s elusive forward Ray ‘Slippery’ Alberts will finally get to celebrate his 650th match tomorrow when he plays game 652. Alberts brought up the milestone on June 5 when the Swans played an away game against Branxholme-Wallacedale. The following week the league had its mid-season bye and then last week the Swans played away against Westerns. But tomorrow the Dartmoor community is being urged to get out and cheer on Slippery when he runs through a commemorative banner at the start of the reserves game. Alberts’ career includes 418 senior games and 233 in the twos.
TIMBOON Demons’ Paul Melis, who also plays under Paul Edwards, is a long way short of Alberts, notching up his 100th club game tomorrow in just under 10 years. The popular clubman is always first to training twice a week and never misses a mid-week session. But when not selected, the 30-year-old acts as runner, waterboy or any job that needs doing. Demons faifthful say Roo — or Eddo — as he is known, epitomises the spirit that makes clubs and country footy an institution.
DON’T forget to have your say on the Hampden league’s future finals set up by voting in our on-line poll as to whether a final four should be introduced, 29 years after it was abandoned in favour of a top five. Late yesterday, almost three-quarters of the respondents had voted in favour of the final four. But with the league’s own survey and our poll attracting only about 300 respondents, maybe supporters, players and club officials are happy to go with whatever the league executive thinks. Votes in our poll will be forward to the league for its consideration. Go to The Standard website to have your opinion heard.
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