NEERIM NEERIM SOUTH has recruited former DROUIN utility Dean McFarlane. The versatile McFarlane is best known for many stellar seasons at GARFIELD. After transferring to the Hawks in 2009, he sustained a knee injury early in 2010 that required a reconstruction and sidelined him for the rest of the season. The Cats report he has fully recovered and is ready to go in round one.
IN WHAT is almost a straight swap, former WARRAGUL midfielder Leigh Sheehan will coach NEERIM NEERIM SOUTH this season, while last season’s coach Dean Hendrikse has moved down the road to the Gulls. It appears 16-year-old rising star Tom Muir will be a regular at GIPPSLAND POWER this season while another emerging prospect, Joel Whitford, is also still on the under-18 TAC Cup teams roster with only one cut to go. Neerim has not recruited big numbers over summer, but Sheehan said the Cats could make successive finals appearances, his confidence stemming from what he described as “a tight, committed bunch of players sprinkled with a handful of emerging youngsters”. Former star goalkicker Paul Whelan has been appointed assistant coach. Neerim will host ROSEDALE on Saturday.
THE Gippsland Umpires Association is still looking for recruits, especially those interested in goal umpiring. Games are played on Saturdays in an area stretching from Nar Nar Goon to Warragul and car sharing can be arranged if necessary. No experience is required and prospective recruits have the opportunity to be AFL accredited, receive discount uniforms and, yes, get paid. Training is at Bellbird Park, Drouin, on Thursday evenings and questions can be directed to Andrew Dignam by phone on 0417 422 620 or email to andrewdignam4@bigpond.com
DROUIN supporters are disappointed to hear about the retirement of one of their real goers in recent times, Jordy Edwards. The hard-at-the-ball utility and a league representative played more than 100 games for the Hawks after making his debut when still in the junior ranks, but an injury-marred career – including a broken neck and multiple knee reconstructions – has no doubt led to his decision, despite being only in his mid 20s.
HEARD DROUIN showed interest over summer in regaining one of its former stars, Luke Ablett. However, the plucky 28-year-old defender, who was delisted in 2009 by SYDNEY SWANS after 133 games, will put on a jumper for new Eastern Football Division One team MULGRAVE.
BAD news on two fronts for last season’s runner’s up CORA LYNN. Star forward Beau Runnalls has left the club to join GRIFFITH while 2011 assistant coach Matt Robinson is not likely to start the season until round four at the earliest after he sustained a broken cheekbone in the first week of the Cora Lynn night competition. Runnalls and Robinson wreaked havoc among EDFL defences last season, kicking close to 200 goals between them. Runnalls, who also played with GARFIELD and LONGWARRY, played in the Northern Territory Football league over summer with the WARATAHS. He starred, kicking more than 50 goals. Former BULN BULN, KOOWEERUP and GARFIELD midfielder, Che Jenkins, a teammate of Runnalls in the NTFL, will also play with GRIFFITH this year.
