THERE were plenty of local football types at the two recent race meetings hosted at Pakenham Racecourse on New Year’s Day as well as last Saturday – all intent on ‘training off’ during the festive season.
EDFL premiers CORA LYNN was very well represented at the Pakenham New Year’s Day picnic meeting with one big name ‘recruit’ looking forward to joining the Cobras’ push for back-to-back glory in 2009.
Former NARRE WARREN centre half-forward Shane Dwyer said he was keen to get back into footy under his brother-in-law, Cora Lynn coach Chris Toner, after a year off in 2008.
The dual Casey Cardinia League premiership hero will join several former Magpie teammates including Toner, Luke Hughes and Luke Christopher at the club and said his only reservation was the possibility of lining up on ex BRISBANE and ESSENDON backman Mal Michael when they meet NILMA-DARNUM.
“Hopefully he’ll be after a few goals and play forward this year,” he quipped.
ANOTHER gun forward has been signed by a Casey Cardinia League club with ex-SANDRINGHAM premiership star Lachlan Oakley confirmed as a starter with BEACONSFIELD this year.
The 33-year-old, who also played for SUBIACO in the WAFL, has spent the past two seasons with CHELSEA and was the Seagulls leading goalkicker with 56 in 2007 and 37 in an interrupted season last year.
He almost came across to the Eagles at the start of 2008 and will be a welcome addition this year, releasing strong youngster Daniel Calteri, who is returning to the Perc Allison Reserve from FRANKSTON, into a defensive role.
IMPOSING key-position player Greg Walker is also said to be certain to depart CHELSEA and return to the Casey Cardinia League this year, with his former club KEYSBOROUGH welcoming the news.
However, word around the traps is that there is another suitor in the wings, that being the Burra’s neighbour and bitter rival DOVETON.
How the Doves are going to fit all their new faces in to the senior side will be a major chall-enge for coach Clint Wilson, but if Walker comes across we’re tipping he’ll be one of the first newcomers to find a position.
ROC was prominent in the post season recruiting hurly burly, but the trick will be to maintain that momentum as the actual football starts.
One bloke who will do his best to ensure that happens is new chairman of selectors and well-known local football identity Matt Castricum.
The ex-BERWICK strongman ended his distinguished career with the Kangaroos in 2007 and has returned to help guide the club up the Casey Cardinia League ladder in 2009.
HAWTHORN fans should be at the Toomuc Reserve next Tuesday, 20 January, when the Hawks take to the field in their now annual training pilgrimage to PAKENHAM. (See picture Left)
The reigning AFL premiers will train between 8.30am and 10.15am on the day and then conduct a children’s clinic including an autograph session between 10.30am and 11.30am.
Club mascot ‘Hawka’ will be there, as well as face painting, a barbecue and other activities aimed at involving the community and bringing AFL football to the people of Pakenham.
NOW here’s a funny one – slightly out of school – but too good not to be told.
On New Year’s Eve, one fairly well known district ruckman was at a party and decided to take advantage of the fact that the host was the owner of an interactive Nintendo Wii video game set-up.
Tennis was his game and our lad apparently showed plenty of prowess as he ripped forehands, thumped backhands and smashed the imaginary ball at the screen with great gusto, witnessed by many at the turn, including his very impressed girlfriend.
Unfortunately the big boy lost his radar during one massive rally, wound up and played a killer forehand, smashing the hand-held controller in to the side of his lady’s face.
While the rest of the room broke up laughing, the lass bolted to the ‘lady’s room’ crying, with our hero close behind apologising profusely in a bid to rectify both his romance and his evening.
Should be a health warning on those video games!
