THE rumours can now be laid to rest – star forward Ryan Brown will play with BUNYIP in 2009.
Despite word from a Southern Football League source in October that HIGHETT had the big bloke signed and sealed, Bulldogs coach Steve Henwood confirmed that the former FRANKSTON DOLPHIN and DOVETON powerhouse will line up with his young side in 2009.
The move will see Brown reunited with his former premiership coach, together with former teammate Robbie Hughes.
Bunyip struggled for goalkickers in 2008 and Brown’s presence will be a bonus and allow Hughes, who was the club’s main target in 2008 with 37 goals, to play further up the field this year.
AND in more good news for BUNYIP, there is strong word around the traps that former players Clint Meyer, former captain Andrew Hobday, Robbie Dierickx and Paul Hynes are also on their way back to the kennel this year.
Meyer played with GFL side GROVEDALE last season and his inclusion, in particular along with the enigmatic brilliance of Dierickx in attack, will be a huge boost.
Should all four reappear then the Bulldogs, who finished ninth last season, will have their sights firmly set on playing finals football in 2009.
MUCH-hyped BERWICK recruit Grant Noonan’s preparation for his first season in the Casey Cardinia League is a fair way behind his teammates, thanks to an ongoing leg problem.
A Wickers’ source said the big bloke was a notable absentee during the well-attended pre-Christmas training sessions and the club was aware that he had the injury before he was signed up, given it caused him to miss games with UPPER FERNTREE GULLY in 2008.
There are believed to be a few jitters around the Edwin Flack Reserve because, with the departure of George Gorozidis, Noonan will be the key focal point this year and his fitness will be paramount to the side’s success.
AND while on the subject of new LONGWARRY recruit George Gorozidis, there is no certainty that the star goalkicker will be fit for the start of the EDFL season after he underwent knee surgery last week.
Gorra had a scrape on his ‘good’ knee last year, but it was still giving him grief and he was advised to undergo another clean-up before the 2009 season.
If it doesn’t pull up well, he may have to re-evaluate his commitment to football and concentrate on his rapidly growing trucking business.
ONE or two prominent Casey Cardinia League identities are on the front foot regarding the division of the three competitions into separately administered entities.
After the success of a motion to give the MPNFL board of directors the power to do just that at last year’s annual general meeting, plans are said to be under way to initiate self-governance by several senior officials.
According to our man, the idea is that each league would have its own committee that would sit under the central administration and ultimately answer to the league board.
Be interesting to know who put their hands up for a place on any such CCL committee.
ONE currently retired former district sharpshooter is about to make a comeback after two years out of the game, but not with his old club.
BEACONSFIELD full-forward and former coach Haydn Robins will take on the goalkicking duties with PAYNESVILLE in the East Gippsland Football League.
Robins, who is building a house nearby, attended his first training session with the Gulls last week and was immediately asked to take a few drills by coach Matt Coad.
It may be a battle for the former Eagle century goalkicker however, because the side won only one game in the seven-side competition for 2008 – and that was in round one!
ELLINBANK hopes to regain the services of former assistant coach and fleet-footed midfielder David Quirk.
A member of the 2003 WARRAGUL premiership side, Quirk played in the Southern Football League with CHELSEA HEIGHTS last season, but, due to some employment issues, is almost certain to return to his former club in 2009.
In more good news for the Bankers, 2008 best-and-fairest winner Luke Bond, who was expected to leave the club to pursue employment interstate, is now likely to stay and play under new coach, former SALE utility, Jeremy Reid.
WHILE most clubs prefer local pre-season practice games, POOWONG has committed to play in New South Wales during mid-March against Coreen and District side RENNIE. New Poowong coach Adam Sheedy, in his second stint with the Magpies, hopes to use the trip as a team-bonding exercise.
Sheedy comes to Poowong with a good reputation after guiding the side from bottom of the table to the 2003 premiership during his last three-year stint with the Magpies.
Sheedy replaces Brett Anthony, who has moved to SOMERVILLE with the intention of building up the Nepean League club, using juniors and locals.
BUNYIP was hoping to gain the services of former GIPPSLAND POWER and emerging WARRAGUL utility Ben Jostlear, but the 21-year-old has opted to stay with the Gulls.
This was after having discussions with new coach Peter Fusinato who replaced former ESSENDON player Steve Carey at the helm after last season.
Fusinato played with Warragul in the early 1990s, winning a club best-and-fairest award and also an EDFL best and fairest in 1989.
He coached NEERIM NEERIM SOUTH to back-to-back premierships in 1989 and 1990.
MOE has snared one of the early coups of the season by signing tall MORWELL forward and change ruckman Andrew Petrou.
The 2008 runners-up are believed to be disappointed to have lost Petrou’s services, but it comes as no great surprise.
In a team heavy with talls, Petrou was said to be very disappointed after being overlooked for a spot in the Tigers grand-final team against SALE.
Moving to Moe, a team not endeared with too many big men, should see the former GIPPSLAND POWER ruckman resurrect his career.
