TA: Former Fitzroy star Mark “Smurky” Dwyer is heading in a new direction with his sporting pursuits — he’s fallen in love with fishing.
AT: I’ve heard Smurky enjoys spending some time dropping a line with David “Butch” Cassidy, Bruce Ludeman and Stephen Rhook.
TA: That’s right. But the three boys are sick and tired of Smurky using their fishing gear. Story goes that Smurky has been using Butch’s Penn 560 rod every time they go out fishing for the past six months. Smurky recently declared to the boys he would put his hand in his pocket and invest in a new weapon exactly like Butch’s. So he went down to see Mick Rantall at Hooked on Rods and Reels and put in the order for the new Penn 560. He told the boys the rod was going to cost about $400. They were delighted that after years of botting their fishing gear that Smurky was finally starting to get his act together. Cassidy rang Rantall and asked if he would let him know when the new rod came in. Cassidy got the phone call and took his old Penn rod down to Rantall’s store and swapped it for the new weapon. Rantall contacted Smurky and told him the new rod was in store. He picked it up and declared to the boys how delighted he was with his investment. Smurky was amazed how similar his new Penn 560 was to Cassidy’s old rod, even down to the braided line. Cassidy
eventually called in to see Smurky, handed over the new rod and asked could he have his old rod back. Apparently
the former Fitzroy star stood with his mouth open for some time, never realising he had handed over $400 for a secondhand rod.
AT: One of our quiet-as-amouse young female colleagues got a little flustered during the week when she was put in an embarrassing position. A couple of weeks ago her sister and boyfriend came over from Mount Gambier and they went to the Gallery for a few drinks. They weren’t there long and the sister’s boyfriend dropped some change at the bar. A crowd controller thought the boyfriend had enough to drink and asked him to leave. Our colleague cut loose and gave the bouncer a fearful spray. Last Saturday her partner went to meet the young lady at the Gallery but when he arrived he found her sitting out the front. She’s been black banned after her previous antics. This was too
good an opportunity to miss. During the week I sent her an email saying I was doing a story on all barred patrons from Warrnambool licensed premises and was going to run a list of those banned. I asked her for a comment and then left the office for a couple of hours. She was a very relieved young lady when she discovered she was being set up. I’m not going to reveal her identity because she’s always willing to help out.
TA: Story circulating in the district league is a certain local footy official will be dragged over the coals this week after photo evidence is produced of him breaking the rules.
AT: Sounds interesting, what’s going on?
TA: Well you heard that West Coast stars Nic Naitanui and Dean Cox were fined $5000 for using mobile phones on the ground at three-quarter-time against the Kangaroos last weekend. Apparently one local club has photo evidence of someone using a mobile while goal umpiring a junior game.
AT: I reckon the official should be reprimanded. You know the rules Tim, name names.
TA: Well Thomo it was you. The photo I saw clearly shows you goal umpiring at the Nirranda versus Russells Creek under 14 game last Saturday on the phone. The ball was in the area and you were waving a flag after a behind. Fans are asking how can you goal umpire and be on the phone at the same time. Not a good example. Around town all the chat in Warrnambool’s Victoria Hotel during the week was about the surprise party at the pub last Sunday afternoon.
AT: Great spot for a party, who was it for?
TA: Victoria Hotel publican Brian “Pixie” Gleeson and wife Kim decided to have a party for one-year-old daughter Roxy. Apparently the dining area of the popular watering hole was turned into a crèche for a few hours. The pub will be hosting a different party this Sunday when Pixie will be having a few drinks to celebrate his 53rd birthday.
AT: Talking of birthdays, Orford’s Anne McGrath celebrated her 48th during the week. Anne will be one of the clerks of the course working at this year’s Warrnambool May Racing Carnival. It will be the 30th year that Anne has worked at the carnival. She made news headlines a few years ago when she darted in front of the barriers before the horses were released. Her dad Leo will be fronting up for his 49th year as clerk of the course.
TA: Looks like being a big Warrnambool racing carnival for club vice-president Des Roberts and Brian “Nut” McMahon.
AT: Don’t go bringing up poor old Nut up again. I thought we agreed that you would leave him alone.
TA: It’s all right. Nut’s missus Margaret has headed over to England for a few weeks and will be missing for the racing carnival and so has Des’ wife Pam. She’s gone over to Italy for a few weeks. So I’m expecting both lads will have a few long nights during the carnival.
AT: Pleased to note that Marg Daffy clocked up more than 100 cards for her 80th last weekend. Until next week, hooroo.
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