THERE was more than a bit of an edge in the game between LONGWARRY and CATANI on Saturday. New Blues coach Graeme Jose was formerly the coach of the Crows while another former Longwarry’s Beau Ridgway, recently crossed to Catani and played as though he had a few scores to settle. Catani’s line-up included former Crows Andrew McKenna and Brad Jose. An interesting spectator was Luke Tymensen, who represented both sides with distinction but hung up his boots in the off-season. Graeme Jose was livid with his team’s loss and, more so, with the men in white, whom he criticised vehemently after the game after his charges appeared to be on their wrong side in the third term with fans reporting an 18-to-two free kick disparity in favour of the home side.
THE Blues’ coach should not be too surprised with his team’s last-quarter fade-out because trawling over results in the past five weeks reveals the Blues conceded seven last-quarter goals against CORA LYNN, seven against NAR NAR GOON, eight against LANG LANG, failed to score in the last half against WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS, which scored three last-term goals and had 11 scoring opportunities and on Saturday, LONGWARRY produced five goals and held the Blues to one. In all, CATANI has had 30 last-term goals kicked against it in its past five outings and kicked only six goals itself. It is fair to say Jose, a noted local greyhound trainer, has his canine pals far fitter than his human counterparts.
LONGWARRY appears to have lost football journeyman Peter Davenport for the season. The rugged midfielder was cleared to the Crows at the start of the season but after playing in the first two rounds, he found the travelling too hard to and from his Geelong residence and has been a no show since.
WITH a bye in the TAC Cup this week and the CASEY SCORPIONS having a bye in the VFL, many local sides had the opportunity to bolster their teams over the weekend. GARFIELD’s Luke Tynan, MOE’s David Collins and WONTHAGGI’s Aiden Lindsay all returned to their club of origin from the Scorps and made a big impact. Of the GIPPSLAND POWER players to impress, TRARALGON’s Matt Northe caught the eye with his ball-winning ability and DROUIN’s Anthony Tipungwuti, formerly from the Tiwi Islands, dazzled and excited Hawks fans with his pace and vision. The Hawks hope to get another two games from Tipungwuti to quality him for the finals. However, should the good form of the second placed Gippsland Power continue, the TAC Cup final series coincides with Gippsland final series and the Power selectors may just overrule the Hawks’ desire for his availability.
IN THE Ellinbank league, Matt Wade returned from SANDRINGHAM to play for NAR NAR GOON but the Goon could not use his Zebra teammate, last season’s grand final hero Brett Dore, because the strapping utility is recovering after sustaining a blood clot in his leg a few weeks ago that will see him play with a shin guard when he does return to the field, still weeks away. While Wade played in the VFL seniors in the opening round, he has been out of favour with the Sandy selectors in recent weeks. And speaking of the VFL, it is good to see former KOOWEERUP midfielder Gavin Marusic and DROUIN ruckman Bob McCallum have cemented their place in the FRANKSTON Dolphins’ senior line-up since the opening round and feature regularly among the best players in their debut VFL season. McCallum shares the Dolphins’ ruck duties with former DOVETON star Russell Gabriel, a Casey Cardinia League best and fairest who is having a stellar season and from all reports is a big chance to be AFL drafted later this year.
EMERGING BULN BULN youngster Trent Baker performed the unusual feat of participating in three successive matches on Saturday against GARFIELD. Baker played in the under-18s, then because of injuries and unavailabilities and the need to get a bit more match fitness – he has been recovering from a broken toe – he played a half in the reserves. Then, when Dean Black injured himself tying up his shoelaces before the senior game ( yes, you know things are going badly when you sustain this type of injury), young Baker hastily changed into his gear for the third time.
THE Gippsland Football League home-and-away season goes into recess this week because of the interleague clash against the Central Murray League on Saturday at Morwell. Gippy fans should note the game will start early, at 1.30pm. The GFL will go in favourites but the opposition cannot be dismissed lightly. For the home side, 2010 league medallist Gary Jones, ball magnet Andy Soumilas, former GEELONG-listed utility Dan McKenna and former AFL Saint Matt Ferguson should pose big match-up problems for the Riverina boys. After last week’s round of matches, BAIRNSDALE’s Luke Dyer, WONTHAGGI ruckman Earl Shaw and SALE ruckman Toby Leeds are all doubtful because of injury. The Central Murray League has been on the improve in recent years and with victories over its traditional rivals, the strong MURRAY League in 2008 and 2009 and a comfortable victory over WIMMERA last season, it has the ability to take it right up to Gippsland, which has disappointed in recent interleague campaigns.
CENTRAL Murray League president Howard Rosewarne said a few players had pulled out of the original squad but was adamant his league would still field a strong line-up sprinkled with pace, which might just trouble the locals. Unfortunately for the visitors, former BRISBANE LIONS champ Darryl White, who committed himself to play, left the field for NYAH NYAH WEST on Saturday with what looked a corked thigh and is doubtful. Central Murray players likely to make their presence felt include former CARLTON utility Callum Beasy, who will line up in the ruck. Last season’s All-Australian country representative Xavier Moloney, who was a star defender in the VFL with NORTH BALLARAT for more than a decade and his SWAN HILL teammate and coach, Hugh Foott, are both expected to figure prominently.
KO0WEERUP will host a reunion of its premiership league, reserves and thirds premierships from 1981 at its home clash with Catani on 4 June. Thirty years ago was the only time the Demons won the three divisions in the one season. The league side beat Drouin in a clash so close word is that the Hawks colours had to come off the cup before it was presented. The reserves had a big first quarter to cover Pakenham easily, and the thirds also overcame Pakenham, but in a thriller. The reunion starts at noon with a lunch, followed by a break to watch the present-day senior side, before resuming. All are welcome, but bookings are essential. “It’s at the clubrooms because that’s where all our memorabilia is,” said club spokesman Gary King. He can be contacted on 0438 663 655.
