WORD has it that versatile GARFIELD tall Tom Marsh, who is currently playing with WARATAH in the Northern Territory Football League, is now set to reside permanently in Darwin. His imminent move is the result of a recent job offer. However, for Stars fans the good news is the ruckman-forward and one of the most influential players in the competition does not intend to turn his back on the Stars completely this upcoming season and is keen to ‘fly in’ and play enough games over the home-and-away season to qualify for the finals and help his beloved Stars achieve back-to-back premierships. Star DROUIN utility Chris Dunne, who has been in good form for the WANDERERS in the NTFL competition is another local star to secure a new job in the top end over recent months and his availability at the Hawks nest this season is also under a cloud.
AND while on the NTFL competition, DEVON MEADOWS fans will be glad to hear that its prize NAR NAR GOON recruit Andrew Oldmeadow has featured in the best on a regular basis for the Darwin based team SOUTHERN DISTRICTS over the summer season. Oldmeadow is a talented ruck rover with the ability to break the lines. He won the 2008 EDFL best-and-fairest in his first season after two years at GIPPSLAND POWER but injuries stymied his dynamic best in 2009 and 2010, the later year when the Goon won the flag and their first since 1980. Oldmeadow missed the entire 2011 season with a shoulder injury but if his form in recent months is any indication the Panthers may have picked up a gem. With the tall Callum O’Hare and midfield-forward Ash Adams having both returned to DEVON MEADOWS from POOWONG, along with Brett Armitage back from HAMPTON PARK new coach Brent Clinnick will have far more to work with in 2012 than former Panther coach Rod Keogh.
EDFL 2011 runners-up NEERIM NEERIM SOUTH have lured promising WARRAGUL ruckman Alex Gavin to the Cats. Second-year NEERIM coach Leigh Sheehan is very familiar with the potential of the athletic Gavin having played with him at the Gulls. He will provide good insurance for the Cats since its number one follower Matt Young had an injury-prone season in 2011. Experienced running defender Nick Edney has also returned to NEERIM where he played in two premierships in his younger days prior to a stellar career at WARRAGUL.
AFTER missing the finals in 2011, many pundits expect NAR NAR GOON to quickly regain its mojo in 2012. Their optimism is fuelled by the announcement that powerhouse utility Brett Dore, who was best-on-ground in their 2010 grand final victory over CORA LYNN has returned to the club after just one season with VFL team SANDRINGHAM. In more good news for the Goon emerging midfielder Adam Marchant and stopper Ash Tivendale have both returned to the club after taking the last season off. On the flipside central defender Daniel Zajac is trying his luck with VFL team COBURG while last season’s best-and-fairest and vastly improved midfielder Ben Keane is training at NOBLE PARK. The Goon have two practice matches organised in February, the first against amateur team MELBOURNE HIGH SCHOOL on Saturday 18 February before an appointment on 25 February with Eastern football league team the EASTERN LIONS.
AFTER getting overlooked by the AFL clubs in November and December’s drafts, MAFFRA’S Shaun Wyatt and TRARALGON’s Hayden Hector have moved onwards and upwards from the GIPPSLAND POWER, having signed deals to play with WILLIAMSTOWN in the VFL. The VFL season starts on 24 March with the new Seagulls lads facing the CASEY SCORPIONS at Casey Fields. It sets up possibly the first of many clashes between the most recent crop of Gippsland Power alumni with recently drafted MELBOURNE DEMONS backman Josh Tynan a chance to play for the Scorpions in round one.
BERWICK and DANDENONG STINGRAYS midfielder Nathan Wright got a surprise Christmas present three days before the magic day when Kevin Sheehan called him up to invite him into the AIS-AFL Academy program. He joins KOOWEERUP midfielder Jason Pongracic in Tier 2 and CRANBOURNE midfielder-forward Clayton McCartney in this year’s academy.
MATT Willcocks, the LEONGATHA and GIPPSLAND POWER tall has been plying a craft of a different sort over the summer, representing Victoria in the Cricket Australia under-19 national championships, held in South Australia. Willcocks took four wickets at 19.25 in the championships with Victoria finishing third.
