FOR such a so-called “bad-boy”, former AFL now NARRE WARREN spearhead Brendan Fevola has a generous side to him that doesn’t get mentioned too often. That was plainly evident a couple of weeks ago when the 2006 Coleman Medallist wound down his car window to donate to the YMCA Open Doors charity at a Berwick intersection collection point recently. Fev not only emptied his pockets of change but also scooped up all the cash from his car’s ashtray and console and deposited it in the tin, while happily acknowledging the good job done by the young female collector. While this story won’t feature on the back page of the daily tabloids, we thought the big fellow deserved a pat on the back.
WHILE on Fevola, he also showed his charitable side in the clash with BERWICK on Saturday. At one stage he landed on Wickers young gun Christian Meredith, knocking the wind out of him. As the young player was gasping for air, Fev politely pointed out that there were plenty of hospitals within a short drive.
BERWICK officials were vocal in condemning the actions of NARRE WARREN players involved in Saturday’s heated showdown in front of a huge crowd at Fox Road. One senior Wicker singled out a number of opposition players for particular criticism according to Footy Shorts spies, but he apparently overlooked the fact that 2010 Young Gun winner Vergim Faik, who defected to the Edwin Flack Reserve from DOVETON in the off season, was also reported for striking. The old saying that “it takes two to tango” might apply here.
THE Tigers are roaring again. “Everybody said they could not remember a better victory,” LANG LANG president Adrian Jenkins said after the club’s staggering win over CORA LYNN. “It was an unbelievable comeback and you couldn’t wipe the smile off the face of new coach Ben Dwyer.” Down by 47 points late in the third quarter, club diehards had already written their team off, but somehow the Tigers dug deep to conjure nine last-quarter goals and keep the Cobras, a team that had scored 16 last-quarter goals in the first two rounds, goalless. “To be two and zip and with a break for Easter before we face NAR NAR GOON is an ideal start. We can’t wait to tackle the Goon next round,” said an excited Jenkins, basking in the afterglow of one of the club’s greatest victories.
GARFIELD unveiled a new LED scoreboard on Saturday against POOWONG. Costing $25,000, the scoreboard includes a clock and roller shutter for protection and has provision for flash logos to scroll messages and sponsorships. Committee member Anthony Gown said the club thanked Mark Watson, Greg Mitchell, Louie Scamporlino and Alex Exposito for playing a big hand in the latest addition to Beswick Street.
LEONGATHA – not for the first time – was left to reflect on what might have been. The Parrots looked certain to break a 19-game losing streak against the reigning premiers, MAFFRA, on Saturday night when they were 20 points up in the second quarter – and if not for some wayward kicking, should have led by six or seven goals. Inevitably, the mighty Eagles clawed their way back and in the dying minute of the game won a free kick in the centre of the ground that led to a match-winning goal by up-and-coming star Pat Jones. Any hopes of a Parrots reply disappeared, because only 20 seconds remained and the dampish ground surface put paid to any remote chance of a late major for the home side. Talk about a monkey on their back – the last time Leongatha beat Maffra was in 2003. Earlier in the afternoon, the Eagle reserves turned up with only 18 players and still managed to secure victory, an ominous sign for the luckless Parrots. Sometimes you just can’t buy a win.
THE two-point difference between Leongatha and Maffra on Saturday night was the closest finish between the teams since round five in 1990. That’s when Maffra won at home by a point, 11.18 (84) to Leongatha’s 13.5 (83).
THE joy of ELLINBANK’s opening victory of the season over NILMA/DARNUM was partly soured with the news that gun recruit, assistant coach and former WARRAGUL strongman Bryce Monahan, has succumbed to a season-ending knee injury. The Bankers had high expectations pre-season, but started tardily in the first two rounds before Saturday’s victory and with questionable depth on their roster, can ill afford to lose a player of Monahan’s ability.
NAR Nar Goon recruit Josh Grant has impressed with his hard-at-it approach on the field – but also his initiative off the field. Last week Josh left his workboots on the training track and didn’t notice they were missing until turning up on a job site the following day. The only shoes he could find in the ute were a pair of white numbers more suited to a nightclub than a work site. Undeterred, Josh pulled out a can of black spray-paint and gave the shoes a safety makeover. Job done!
BUNYIP is seeking the services of a club trainer – for several hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays and, of course, on Saturdays as well. Experience is not essential, but a first aid certificate is required. Anyone who can help should contact club president Darrell Wilkinson on 0417 543 016.
WITH no EDFL football this week, fans wanting their country footy fix over Easter can drive to WONTHAGGI to watch the home side slug it out with LEONGATHA on Easter Saturday. If the match is half as exciting as the corresponding match last year, when the Power fell in by one point, it will be well worth the trip down to the Bass Coast. It is the only round three GL match scheduled for this week in a split round that concludes with the remaining four matches on 30 April.
IN OTHER news from the GL, on Saturday 28 May – which falls between rounds six and seven – Gippsland will host Central Murray at Morwell in the VCFL Worksafe Country Championships.
