By Ken Moore
THERE was a minute’s silence at WARRAGUL on Sunday as a mark of respect for life member Fred Harper and the former world bantamweight boxing champion Lionel Rose. Fred was a popular figure and father of Ron and Peter “Punk” Harper, both well-known among old West Gippsland League followers. On Sunday, Peter captained the Hawks’ seconds and announced his retirement after the game. Players donned black and green armbands on Sunday. The black armbands acknowledged Harper and Rose, while the green armbands recognised “thanks ump” day, an initiative by the AFL to support the retention and recruitment of umpires.
WORD has it that the Gippsland Umpires Association was none to pleased with the non appearance of CORA LYNN assistant coach Matt Robinson at a tribunal meeting the previous week. While Robinson was not on report, he was required to attend to give evidence, after an incident that saw LONGWARRY coach Grant McDonald reported in round six. The Cobras forward could not attend, citing a work commitment. The umpire involved, Peter Heywood, admitted he did not see the incident that led to McDonald’s report, which saw Robinson leave the field with a broken nose and, as it all panned out, the Longwarry coach was given the all-clear to play last Saturday. He didn’t play a big part in the game, leaving the ground in the second quarter with a shoulder injury and not returning.
THOSE attending Sunday’s match between WARRAGUL and DROUIN may have noticed a youngster for DROUIN by the name of Keegan Bott, who gathered a number of handy possessions on debut. For the curious folk, yes, Keegan is the son of the former DROUIN captain-coach, interleague representative and former West Gippsland League general manager Eric Bott who, in recent years, has overseen the Goulburn Valley Football League.
THE BULN BULN match committee pulled a masterstroke on Saturday, reviving the senior career of Dale Brew. The Lyrebirds opted to give the chunky small, who is now in his late 30s, a game on a hunch the heavy ground would suit him. Brew did not disappoint, snagging three goals and assisting in another four goals. Brew, who has played more than 200 games and was a member of the Lyrebirds 1994 premiership team, had not played senior football for two seasons … but may well have earned a few more senior games, especially if the wet weather continues.
WHILE WARRAGUL went on an extensive recruiting spree and picked up many young guns in its local district over summer, one player who left Tarwin Street and whom the Gulls must have desperately wanted to keep is Brad Campbell. Campbell, a midfielder, won the Gulls under-18 best and fairest last season, but left to play for the INDUSTRIALS and has impressed in recent times. He was widely regarded as best on ground on Saturday against CATANI. And while on former WARRAGUL up and comers, it was disappointing to hear that Jack Grogan, another star from the Gulls thirds last season, who moved to ELLINBANK over summer, made a big impression in the opening rounds but will not take any further part in the season after a knee injury.
AND talking about knee injuries, star MOE recruit Ryan Donaldson injured his knee, a quarter of an hour into the Lions’ clash with WONTHAGGI on Saturday. His knee was badly swollen after the match and he will undergo scans. Donaldson had started well and kicked a goal to make it 22 for the season. But the rest of his season is now in serious doubt.
PEARCEDALE-based horse trainer Brad Cameron showed there is another string to his bow when he made an impressive debut for the NAR NAR GOON reserves on Saturday. Cameron was drawn to the club by captain Chris Adams and key forward Ben Scanlon. They part-own a horse in his care, The Instigator (a runner at Pakenham yesterday), along with former Gazette sports editor Brad ‘Tangles’ Kings-bury.
HOW’S this for a change of fortune? NAR NAR GOON thirds coach Mick Payroli and former fifths coach Erick Joosten form a syndicate each week for winning margin tickets. They celebrated after the final siren against WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS in round five when they held the ticket for 58 points, only to be told that it was for the following week and had somehow got mixed up with the Dusties game. They took the loss on the chin. This week karma kicked in and the Goon duly saluted by 58 points against LONGWARRY and they got to collect their $200 prize. With luck like that, supporters may pay to follow their lead when the club hosts a big Casino Night in the clubrooms after the Garfield away game on Saturday 4 June. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun, with each player given $1000 playmoney and prizes of $300, $150 and $50 up for grabs for the big winners.
