Longwarry hard man Grant McDonald in action last season.LOOKING for a party?
If so, you may as well give KOOWEERUP Netball Club a big miss this year.
Last week every senior player was presented with and told they must sign a 13point ‘Code of Conduct’ contract before they would be allowed to play in a Demons skirt in 2007.
If the document is taken literally, the lights will be out early on Saturday nights this year.
The edict decrees that the girls must maintain high standards of personal behaviour at all times and it will be a dry and pristine argument, because there will be no drinking of alcohol or smoking cigarettes this season.
The girls must also ‘use the correct process when seeking a rule clarification’ (whatever that means) and be responsible in regard to language (no swearing), temper (no hissy fits) and punctuality (don’t have a flat tyre).
Strangely enough, it is believed that some players are yet to sign the pledge and we wonder if the Demon footballers will be asked to join the atmosphere of abstinence as well?
We think not!
PAKENHAM is in dire straights as far as its under 18 numbers are concerned and there is a chance that the Lions may not field a side in 2007. After the departure of 2006 coach Michael Monckton to NAR NAR GOON, former Goon mentor Peter Dorning was appointed but forced to resign soon after due to a change in work commitments. Pakenham has had trouble gathering enough players to form a side. Neighbouring Casey Cardinia league clubs TOORADIN and ROC are also under pressure as far as under 18s are concerned and, with less than seven weeks before the first game, a severely reduced junior competition may be on the cards.
NAR NAR GOON has lost its bid to lure ROC utility Brad Jones to the club as an assistant coach, after the versatile Kangaroo opted to stay at Starling Road.
The Goon is yet to appoint an assistant to support new coach Clint Williams.
The Goon will have at least two practice matches before the season starts with one against EMERALD at Emerald on 24 March and another against LANG LANG at Nar Nar Goon on 31 March.
RUMOURS abound that LONGWARRY defender Leigh McDonald could be on the move to NAR NAR GOON.
Furthermore, his brother, Grant, an assistant coach with the Crows last season, but displaced by BERWICK recruit Ryan Donaldson this year, is also yet to commit to the Crows.
The nononsense McDonalds never flinch at a contest and have been an integral part of the Crows success in recent seasons.
Either or both would be hard to replace.
ONE leading EDFL player has swapped his beer for the Bible and apparently does not mind who knows about his life’s new direction.
The lad used to be a bit of a party boy according to our source, but that’s all behind him now and the way his side is shaping up, having the Lord on side might just end up being the difference.
LEONGATHA has secured the services of tough MEENIYANDUMBALK defender Andrew Meyer and hopes to lure classy young STONY CREEK pair Matt Cook and Tim Fitzpatrick to the fold.
The Parrots were woodenspooners last season, but expect to improve under former AFL and TRARALGON star Adrian Campbell, who has been appointed as senior coach.
VFL club FRANKSTON will boast a number of former Casey Cardinia League players this year with CRANBOURNE contributing the trio of Ray George, Andre Young and talented teenager Curtis Barker.
George, a cousin of DOVETON matchwinner David George, is fresh from a year off football and the Eagles were hoping to have him back at Casey Fields this year, but it was not to be.
Last season’s STINGRAYS James Magner from BEACONSFIELD and NARRE WARREN premiership ruckman Trent Shinners will also line up with the Dolphins in 2007.
WONTHAGGI members have voted to reject a move from the Alberton league to the West Gippsland Latrobe Football League (WGLFL) in 2008, effectively telling the Victorian Country Football League (VCFL) to butt out of the club’s future.
The VCFL had recommended that Wonthaggi swap competitions in favour of the WGLFL (a major country league) in response to complaints from the other Alberton league clubs that the club was too strong for the district league.
Several Alberton league clubs have threatened to refuse to play Wonthaggi after it dominated in all four grades last season, leaving precious little for its rivals.
It appears a shortsighted decision by Wonthaggi and it will be interesting to see the VCFL response, given the governing body has consistently refused to force clubs in or out of competitions recently.
DEVON MEADOWS officials confirmed that former EDITHVALEASPENDALE rover Chris Maroney is now a Panther.
However the tooing and froing over exESSENDON defender Aaron Heneman appears to be over after his Bomber teammate and SILVAN assistant coach Gary Moorcroft confirmed he would play with the Yarra Valley and Mountain District side in 2007.
A BUNYIP spy reported that former POOWONG and DEVON MEADOWS forward Luke James has walked out on the Bulldogs after crossing in the offseason.
Our man said he may return to the Magpies, but could also bob up at his old club ST PAUL’S in the Southern Football League.
Could be a handy lateseason pick up.
POOWONG has picked up KORUMBURRA onballer Ryan Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald, a former Magpie junior, won the Alberton League thirds bestandfairest award two seasons ago and will add depth to the Poowong midfield, already boosted by the return of 2003 premiership player Jarrod Attenborough, who has returned to the club from overseas.
In more good news for Poowong another 2003 premiership player, defender Glen Fleming, will also pull the boots on again.
Former KILCUNDABASS onballer Brett Anthony will captaincoach the Magpies this season and has brought across two Panther teammates in ruckman Brad Nolen and wingman Jarrod Spooner.
TRARALGON has snared MOE ruckrover and hard nut Rod Peatey and GLENGARRY utility Darrin Canning.
Triple premiership on baller Aaron Crosby has returned to the Maroons, along with Matthew Habel from ACT club BELCONNEN, who will be an assistant under premiership coach Tony Lane.
Many grounds are unplayable at present, but Traralgon’s ground is in fine knick after more than 100 millimetres of rain fell last week.
However the Maroons have been knocking back clubs wanting to play practice matches on their oval and have only committed themselves to two practice games, against DROMANA on 17 March and FISH CREEK on 31 March.
DUE to the shortage of grounds across Melbourne because of the drought, DANDENONG STINGRAYS will travel to CORA LYNN and play three practice matches this Saturday. The games will start at 11am and feature under 15, under 16 and under 18 matches against the Eastern Rangers. The under 18s game will start at 2.15pm and interest is tipped to be high.
