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The siren has sounded on yet another footy season. Every year there's plenty to celebrate, winners, achievers, volunteers, community spirit, team work and sportsmanship.
But sadly, more than two weeks after an epic Hampden league grand final was decided by three points, the season isn't over. The game's darker side still has plenty to play out.
This week it was revealed two head-high incidents from the grand final are under investigation. One relates to an alleged hit on former AFL player Michael Barlow, who suffered a broken nose during North Warrnambool Eagles' loss. These investigations take the number to 12 this season. The Warrnambool and District league has had three.
The game's custodians - law-makers, leagues, clubs, players - need to recognise the serious blight these incidents have on the sport. The 1970s and 1980s are regarded as the sport's toughest where on-field violence was considered part of the game, adding to the theatre. But community expectations have changed considerably. Violence cannot be condoned in any sport.
Country football clubs are fighting to maintain numbers - a drop-off from AusKick and juniors to senior ranks shows no signs of abating - yet the on-field bruises leave mental scars for would-be players, their parents and supporters. It's a case of the game shooting itself in the foot.
Ending violence is the most critical issue. How can that happen when the game has allowed it and tolerated it for so long?
The Hampden league, so concerned about incidents and the number of investigations, is considering installing security-style cameras into light towers at all grounds.
Such a move would help prosecute incidents. It should also act as a deterrent.
But seismic attitudinal change is needed. It's illegal to hit someone in the street, pub or home so why is it different on the footy field? By dishing out a suspension for a couple of weeks for a hit, the game is saying it can be tolerated. It can't. Penalties need to be tougher, longer, so players don't even consider throwing a punch or raising an elbow to injure a rival. It is time to blow the whistle on thugs.
Are we in drought? Any coastal resident in the south-west would say no but the federal government believed Moyne Shire was when it allocated the shire $1million in drought assistance. We broke the story last Saturday and questioned how could Moyne Shire be in drought when more than 500mm of rain had fallen in Mortlake this year. The story became a national embarrassment for the government, which is now reviewing the data it used to make the allocation.
Moyne Shire called an emergency meeting of councillors who voted to decline the $1 million because they believed their farmers were not in drought. That move was praised but it also brought some questions.
In an era of small-town declines, it's refreshing towns like Peterborough and Macarthur are preparing for growth.
We had plenty of interest in our ticket giveaway to see singer/songwriter Anthony Callea at the Lighthouse Theatre last night. I'm hoping Belinda McCosh, Amy Collins, Michila Hayward, Andy Macmillan and Jacqui Spencer had a great time with their double passes.
Here's some other stories that made headlines this week.