Drew McCaskill (left) and Liam Sheppard have crossed between neighbouring Albert Park clubs South Rovers and Warrnambool. The Lions and the Blues will feature in a Super Sunday promotion this weekend.
THE well-worn track between Albert Park neighbours Warrnambool and South Rovers will take even more traffic this weekend.
Super Sunday, a stand-alone initiative between the two clubs, will feature Hampden league and Warrnambool and District league matches across the Reid and Walter ovals.
While Sunday is an official engagement, players have been venturing between the two venues for years.
Warrnambool full-back Liam Sheppard spent most of his juniors at South Rovers before conveniently crossing the park to play under 18s with the Blues.
Meanwhile, South Rovers assistant coach Drew McCaskill had three separate stints at Warrnambool before heading to the Lions in 2010.
Sheppard, who grew up living across the road from Walter Oval, completed the Auskick and junior program at Rovers, earning captaincy in under 14½s and under 17s.
He played about 10 senior games as a 16- year-old before switching leagues and clubs.
Sheppard served as a top-age under 18 player for Warrnambool in 2009, celebrating a premiership triumph.
The qualified carpenter, who now works in real estate, spent the next year contributing to seniors and reserves before taking a step back from the game last season.
“I didn’t really play at all last year,” he said.
“I was renovating my house. But I thought I’d give it a really good crack this year.”
And that he has.
The 21-year-old started the season in reserves but stepped up to seniors in round three, playing alongside schoolmate and fellow Rovers graduate Sam Cowling in the backline.
Since Cowling has been out with injury, Sheppard has slotted into full-back.
The third-ranked Blues face sixth-placed North Warrnambool Eagles this weekend.
“We’ve probably missed some opportunities,” Sheppard said. “We could have played better than we have. We just have to lift and play well at home.”
Other Blues with Rovers backgrounds in the mix to play this Sunday include Sheppard’s brother Grady and Jake O’Donnell.
The district senior football match between South Rovers and Old Collegians, ninth versus 10th, will also be played at Reid Oval.
