DEVON MEADOWS has snared another big-name recruit with DOVETON captain Justin Hill jumping ship to join the Panthers as assistant coach for 2010.
The whispers that Hill’s name would be added to the growing list of departures at the Robinson Reserve was strong, given that Devon Meadows’ coach Steve O’Brien, also a former Dove, is among his good mates and tried to lure the star forward-midfielder to the Glover Reserve last year. The Panthers have been one of the more aggressive and successful clubs in their bid to secure recruits and Hill’s signing is not the last inclusion with several others believed to be close to agreeing to saddle up next year.
One Panther mover and shaker suggested that there would be absolutely no excuses offered for on-field failure next year, because every player being targeted had one important attribute – they were used to winning – and that was the culture needed at the Meadows.
AFTER only one season at BULN BULN, tough utility Grant McDonald has returned to his old club LONGWARRY and will coach the Crows in 2010.
McDonald’s feisty brother Leigh has also returned from the Lyrebirds and is expected to occupy a leadership role.
McDonald will receive off-field support from Charlie Cannazarro, who was chairman of selectors at KOOWEERUP during the past three seasons and before that had an extensive involvement with NAR NAR GOON’s junior arm.
The Crows hope to retain the majority of their senior list in 2010, the exception being assistant coach Matt Campbell, who has told the club he wants to concentrate on his business interests and is likely to stand out of football for a season.
Off field, popular president Annie Vanderheyden has stepped down and will be replaced by Peter Farley.
CRANBOURNE looks set to secure another top-notch signing with elusive NILMA-DARNUM goalsneak Kael Bergles who has informed the club of his intentions to sign.
Bergles is a prodigious talent and has had stints with WARRAGUL and GIPPSLAND POWER in his short and eventful career, before joining the huge influx of players to land at the Bombers and lead them to a premiership this year.
He would provide the perfect foil in attack for Cranbourne captain Marc Holt and recent pick-up Justin Berry and the Eagles are now looming as a huge Casey Cardinia League premiership chance in 2010.
VERY interesting chat was had between one of Footy Shorts best spies and an off-duty police officer over the spring racing carnival.
Our man pricked his ears up when the policeman suggested that there would be a serious crackdown on local football clubs in 2010 with drugs being targeted. According to the member, there is significant evidence that so-called party drugs in the form of pills were being regularly sold through some grass-roots football clubs, with pushers aiming at younger teenage members.
He also suggested that club officials had turned a blind eye to it, but that was about to change, with laws to come in making executive committee members responsible for all activities on club premises as designated under its licence.
While there was not much news in any of that, our man’s beer slipped out of his hand when it was declared that the campaign would kick off in two shires – Casey and Dandenong and even named several clubs the police have in their sights.
CATANI star Luke James is being targeted by more than one MPNFL club, according to the word around the traps.
The super-talented EDFL goalkicker had a stint at DEVON MEADOWS a few years ago, making the Gazette Team of the Year, but transferred out to play with a number of other clubs including POOWONG before landing at the Blues and finishing with 95 for the year and making a preliminary final.
Catani will be keen to hang on to James, but may have to up the ante, if our word is correct.
NILMA-DARNUM has appointed robust utility David Ivey as its senior coach for 2010.
Ivey was one of a number of 2008 SALE premiership stars to arrive at the Bombers this season and his ability to play in a key position at both ends of the ground played a big role in their flag victory.
While his former Magpie team-mate Kain Martin will return to Sale next season, Nilma-Darnum officials hope Ivey’s appointment will help retain many of his other former WGLFL team-mates that opted to head to the EDFL last season.
Ivey has extensive playing experience in Gippsland and this may help balance the expected loss of key players including marquee recruit Mal Michael.
The Bombers hope the lure of assistant coaches roles will help secure dual best-and-fairest winner Jamie Cann and Allan Chandler who have had tempting offers made to jump ship and are no certainty to commit.
President Andrew Patterson, who was heavily responsible for the Bombers recruiting over recent seasons, has stepped down, but will remain involved in a fundraising capacity with a new president to be announced at the annual general meeting on Sunday, 29 November.
MEANWHILE 2009 NILMA-DARNUM premiership coach Brad Sinclair, has reportedly turned his back on a senior coaching position with COOLANGATTA and will coach Western Border League club HEYWOOD next season.
Sinclair tentatively agreed to coach the QAFL division-two team last month, but after visiting Coolangatta decided the move was too big.
FORMER KEYSBOROUGH midfielder Shaun Daly was rated the second best player in the super strong Ovens and Murray Football League last week.
Daly, who played with OMFL premiers ALBURY and won the club’s best-and-fairest award this season, was ranked behind WANGARATTA gun John McCormack, who also played with CARLTON in the AFL.
Despite the Burras’ efforts, Daly has decided to stay on the Murray and saddle up with Albury again next year.
LEONGATHA has appointed Adrian Campbell as senior coach for 2010. It will be the former MELBOURNE and FOOTSCRAY forward’s fourth season at the helm.
The Parrots played in the first semi-final this season, but it appears they have a few holes to fill before next season. Star ruckman Courtney Foulds has returned to Western Australia, while ruck-rover Brad Rayson, a best-and-fairest winner with NTFL club the WARATAHS, has decided to move north permanently, along with Adam Govers.
Both will team well with former GARFIELD and PAKENHAM champion Lincoln Withers, who has been a prime mover in the Waratahs side over the past five seasons.
