WESTERN Border’s new glamour side Heywood is grabbing all the headlines with its rags to riches results this season, but the focus on the early pacesetter is masking some other significant developments in the competition. Collectively, the top three sides — Heywood, West Gambier and Millicent — have flipped the 2009 ladder on its head. Heywood finished the 2009 season last (10th), West Gambier (ninth) and Millicent also missed finals action. West is the only side to beat Heywood in the first six rounds and looks to have strengthened its playing ranks after a 10-goal haul from its Cairns recruit, Nick Martin, last weekend against Hamilton. Who knows, it just may draw some of the spotlight from Heywood’s former AFL stars Courtney Johns and Mal Michael. WBFL chief executive officer David Heard says the emergence of Heywood, West Gambier and Millicent was generating a lot of interest in the league. “I hope they maintain the form,” Heard said.
USUALLY after football the clubrooms are buzzing but what happens when there is no football? With no home-and-away round for Hampden Football Netball League (HFNL) this weekend, Warrnambool Greyhound Racing Club (WGRC) has invited HFNL clubs to its track tomorrow night. “We’re trying to forge a relationship with the local community, which we’ve been working on for a few years,” WGRC general manager Matt Ansell said. “We just thought because there’s no games on Saturday in the Hampden league it would be a good time to invite people up here to the dogs on Saturday with the changed time slot.” The invitation, which six clubs accepted, is a fund-raising opportunity, with each club given $500 to bet with. All winnings will be put back into the footy clubs, with Greyhound Racing Victoria also offering a $1000 bonus to the club that wins the most. “We’re looking to do
a similar thing with the Warrnambool and District league later this year,” Ansell said. He encouraged all footy fans to venture to the dogs tomorrow to see how a meeting runs. First race is at 5.41pm.
TED Whitten jnr is headlining a number of special guests at tomorrow’s Hampden/Mornington Peninsula Nepean interleague showdown at Camperdown’s Leura Oval. Whitten, the chief executive of the EJ Whitten Foundation, which increases the awareness of prostate cancer and raises funds for research into the disease, will toss the coin before the first bounce. He will also present the medal to the best player. Hampden chief executive Stephen Soulsby said Whitten had accepted the invitation because of the league’s work with the foundation and intention to dedicate the semi-final weekend to men’s health issues, in particular prostate cancer. Other guests include Victorian Country Football League vice-president Gerard Lucas and VCFL division one selector Dean Rice, a former Carlton and St Kilda player.
HAMPDEN league football followers who visit the prestigious Thirteenth Beach Golf Links on the Bellarine Peninsula might discover a familiar face around the clubhouse. Young footballer Dan O’Keefe, who returned from VFL duties with Geelong last weekend for a game with his home club Warrnambool, revealed he works at the picturesque golf facility in the pro shop. After four years away from golf due to AFL commitments with the Sydney Swans, O’Keefe is renewing his love affair with the sport, playing off a handicap of four.
WARRNAMBOOL and District Football Netball League has warned that public comments regarding umpires will not be tolerated. Timboon Demons coach Brad Sholl wasn’t impressed with the officials in orange in round five and aired his thoughts through The Standard. Sholl was fined $1000 for his comments, with $750 suspended until the end of the year.
AFTER an incredible 57 years at the same address, Terang Mortlake’s No. 1 ticket holder Elsie Harris is shifting from The Sisters. Harris is moving to Warrnambool, ensuring a trip to the local footy isn’t too far away. Harris will continue to support her beloved Bloods, but is also expected to develop a soft spot for South Warrnambool as her grandson Ryan Harris is a Rooster after moving to Warrnambool to attend Deakin University. Elsie Harris has lived in The Sisters all her life, being described as a tireless community worker and wonderful neighbour to everyone in the district. She will have a farewell on May 30 at The Sisters hall from 2pm.
DENNINGTON forward Justin Nowell might have kicked 40 goals so far this season but he will be celebrating a century on Saturday. After starting his football career as a junior at the Dogs, he has notched up 100 senior club games. Defender Brad Umbers will also post his 100th game in the red and white after joining the club in 2004. The dedicated players will not receive a big fanfare as major festivities are saved for 150 gamers.
DENNINGTON Football Netball Club’s century of competitive football is getting closer, with the Dogs to celebrate their milestone next weekend. Anyone interested in attending the three-course anniversary dinner at Dennington Recreation Reserve on May 29 should contact David Kelson or Geoff Bushell.
HAMILTON Imperials’ Josh Dawson will make his debut for the North Ballarat Rebels tomorrow, starting on a wing against Sandringham Dragons. Heywood’s Richard Bamblett is also an inclusion after missing the last game due to injury. South-west players absent from the Rebels are Tyrone Ross (Hamilton) and former North Warrnambool Eagles’ footballer Marcus Darmody, with the duo rested as they are in with a chance of representing Vic Country in the upcoming AFL national under 18 championships. The Vic Country team will be finalised early next week.
Email a friend