CORA LYNN has unveiled a number of star recruits in recent seasons and their latest acquisition Luke Kirkland looms as another who may have a big impact on the competition in 2012. Kirkland is a mature-age forward and from all reports quick and agile and with a good pair of hands. His Curriculum Vitae is impressive. He represented the Southern Football League in 2011 when he starred at division one team MORDIALLOC and represented the CENTRAL MURRAY league in 2010 when he was the spearhead at MALLEE Eagles. The Cobras have also recently picked up brothers Daniel and Matt Langley from HAMPTON PARK and with few players departing the club over the off season the Cobras look well placed to again go deep into the finals in 2012. Brendan Kimber has been re-appointed coach, Brad Horaczko is once again his deputy, while defender Matt Pierce, who joined the club from ROWVILLE last season will also occupy an assistant role this season.
IF THE news out of KOOWEERUP holds substance it is almost certain that new coach Matt Shorey has enticed a former Redback team mate and a top central defender to the Demons along with a number of handy Under-18s from his former club. Such is the good vibe around the club at the moment many former players are also expected to rejoin. The swamp land club is a tad reticent to release names at this stage but the clearances should reveal all in the upcoming weeks. KOOWEERUP secured the biggest coup in the competition over the off season with the recruitment of ex-PAKENHAM captain and regular star VCFL representative Luke ‘Tex’ Walker who has been appointed assistant coach.
THOUSANDS of kilometres by bus and plane are what await the DANDENONG SOUTHERN STINGRAYS this season with AFL Victoria releasing the TAC Cup fixture last week. The Stingrays face 10 away matches, including six big trips – twice to Bendigo, once to Wangarrata, twice to the windy dustbowl at Craigieburn and once to Brisbane to face QUEENSLAND in round seven. Dandenong Southern has seven home games, the same amount as last year. DANDENONG SOUTHERN STINGRAYS reverted to their previous name, adding the ‘Southern’ back officially to better reflect the recruitment area they operate in.
IN MANY respects SALE have the equivalent of a star recruit in Dylan McLaren in 2012. The former BRISBANE and CARLTON ruckman, who played over 60 AFL, games prior to three seasons at PORT MELBOURNE between 2008 and 2010 returned to the Magpies nest in 2011 and was touted as their star signing but unfortunately succumbed to a shoulder injury in round two of the season. He has since undergone a shoulder reconstruction and club insiders report he is well on track to return for their round one Sunday clash against BAIRNSDALE. Former ST KILDA utility Matt Ferguson will coach SALE in 2012. He replaces Nick Anderson who has stepped down. Former NORTH MELBOURNE defender and Magpie stalwart Stuart Anderson has been appointed assistant coach in a non-playing role, having announced his retirement over summer.
IT WILL be a late start to the season in Casey Cardinia, with DEVON MEADOWS departure bringing the competition down to ten sides and the fixture down to a 16 round competition starting on 21 April. There are two scheduled byes with round nine and round 13 being played as split rounds.
SPEAKING of DEVON MEADOWS, the newest Nepean team will finally be at home after a year spent travelling about in the Casey Cardinia league. The Panthers will return to Glover Reserve after a year at Cranbourne Racecourse Reserve while renovations and ground improvements took place. The Panthers travel to TYABB in round one before their first home game in round two against RED HILL on 21 April.
GIPPSLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE has released its 2012 fixture. Similar to last season the competition will comprise of 18 round home and away rounds. Round one commences on April 14th and with three Saturday afternoon games, a night game between LEONGATHA and WONTHAGGI and a Sunday fixture with BAIRNSDALE hosting SALE.
Last seasons wooden spooners WARRAGUL should get a good insight of their seasons fortunes when they meet the 2011 premiers TRARALGON while last seasons runners up DROUIN will trek to MOE.
There will be a hiatus on Saturday 26th May between round six and seven for the VCFL Workplace Championship when the GFL travel to BENDIGO to play the BFL at the Queen Elizabeth Oval. Finals will start on the first Saturday in September culminating in the grand final on Saturday 22nd September.
WHILE on the Gippsland Football League it is currently in discussions with the AFL with the aim to set up a girl’s youth competition for the ages 13 to 17 this season. DROUIN, WARRAGUL, MOE, MORWELL, TRARALGON and LEONGATHA have all expressed a desire to be involved.
BAIRNSDALE, who rejoined the Gippsland football league in 2011 after an 11 season absence is the latest team in the GFL to host night games in the 2012 season. Along with SALE, who introduced lights last season and LEONGATHA they will be the third team to host night games in 2012.
Interestingly, MOE have not planned any night games despite having the capability to do so. BAIRNSDALE will christen four new towers comprising a total of 44 lights against TRARALGON in round three and will turn them on again to welcome MAFFRA in round five.
BAIRNSDALE have appointed former ST KILDA and FOOTSCRAY forward Alistair Ford as a non playing coach this season.
He replaces mid field gun Brenton Cowell, who has stepped down but still intends to continue playing with the club.
