Tigerish Kurt Batt was named captain of Lang Lang’s team of the decade at a successful ceremony. However, he was injured in Saturday’s final home and away clash with Nar Nar Goon and is in doubt for this weekend’s elimination final.
DESPERATE times demand innovative solutions. At three-quarter-time last week, Keysborough reserves were trailing Narre Warren by 28 goals. Enter Narre’s own unofficial mascot, the Magpies answer to Collingwood’s Joffa, known to most supporters as “Jungles”. Jungles – one of the league’s unique personalities – was called into the Keysey huddle to address the players. We believe the invitation came from former Narre now Keysey player Jesse Cuffe, who probably thought anything might help under the circumstances. We’re not sure if Jungles drew on material from mentors such as Allan Jeans (“You either step up, or you step down”) or perhaps John Kennedy (“Don’t think – do!”). We’re tipping he probably stuck with some of his own Jungle-isms – like: “You’re playing so bad – I just saw your own grandmothers at the gate asking for a refund on their entry fees.”
POOWONG coach Brent Clinnick has resigned. Despite what many may have thought, the Magpies’ 94-point loss to BUNYIP on Saturday had nothing to do with Clinnick’s decision … he had informed the Poowong committee he intended to stand down BEFORE the stunning round 18 upset victory over GARFIELD. Clinnick cited travel and work commitments for his reason to step aside, but added he still had coaching aspirations. He said the victory over the Stars in round 18 was one of the highlights of his career and rivalled his other two magic football moments, a Poowong victory over KOOWEERUP when his side came from six goals down and when he played for DEVON MEADOWS and saw his teammate, the mercurial Luke James, kick 10 second-half goals in an Anzac Day game against CRANBOURNE in 2005.
OUTGOING BULN BULN president Brian “Barney” Sell has hit out at rumours he has resigned because his beloved club is in turmoil. Sell said it was far from the truth and that he did not seek re-election because he wanted more people to attend the annual general meeting and get involved with the committee. It appears a few local clubs have delighted in the fact that the powerhouse of the late 1990s and early 2000s struggled to be competitive against the top sides this season. Buln Buln lost four games by more than 60 points and another five games by 100-plus points.
THERE was controversy at the NYORA vote count on Saturday night. At the conclusion of the count, it appeared consistent midfielder Adam Tagliaferro and coach Corrie Wilson had tied in first place. But a recount demoted Tagliaferro to third and the final standings were: Wilson first, ruck-rover Aiden Cumberland second, Tagliaferro third. It was the third time Wilson had won the Saints’ best and fairest and also the third time Cumberland had finished runner-up.
LONGWARRY assistant coach Tye Holland made it four club best and fairests after he was a runaway winner in the club’s count on Saturday night. Vastly improved ruck-rover Mark Light came second and another hard-at-the-ball type, utility Leigh McDonald, finished third. The reserves best and fairest award was fought out between two veterans, with Daniel Brown outscoring Brent Norton.
IN OTHER best and fairest counts, it was a battle of the midfielders at BUNYIP, with former WARRAGUL and GARFIELD recruit Ben Jostlear victorious over coach Callum Pattie. DOVETON recruit Michael Laszczyk was third. Paul Carmody was awarded the Bulldogs’ reserves best and fairest from tough defender Marc Jolley, who was a surprise because he played only half a season. Rising star Jeb McLeod took home the thirds’ best and fairest.
FORMER NILMA DARNUM premiership star Chris Aurisch, somewhat of a forgotten player, has made a few appearances in the SALE reserves in recent weeks. Short of quality talls because of the regular unavailability of emerging tall Toby Leeds and star recruit Dylan McLaren, Magpie selectors must be tempted to select Aurisch in the seniors. Aurisch, a terrific mark, was a leading goalkicker in the league in the mid 2000s, when he was only 17. He reinvented himself as a centre-half-back in 2009 at NILMA DARNUM. Aurisch stepped aside from football in 2010 to play cricket in England.
AND speaking of forgotten players, former GIPPSLAND POWER and 2009 MAFFRA premiership star John Butcher made his debut for PORT ADELAIDE against HAWTHORN on Saturday. He was drafted No. 8 in the 2009 AFL draft but did not play an AFL game last season because of a chronic back injury. While he gathered only a modest eight disposals, the lanky forward managed to reel in six marks and kick his first senior goal. His younger brother Danny is making a big impression with GIPPSLAND POWER and looks a certainty to join his elder brother in the AFL next year.
IT’S steady as she goes at CORA LYNN, which announced the re-appointment of its leadership group after its round 18 victory over LANG LANG. Brendan Kimber will front up in charge for his second season as senior coach in 2012, while inspirational forward Matt Robinson and versatile tall Brad Horaczko, will again occupy assistant roles.
LANG LANG recently held a successful function to announce its 2001-2010 team of the decade. Shane Newcombe was named as the coach and star utility Kurt Batt was named captain. The side read: Backs – Stuart Casey, Jason Kelly, Brett Hameeteman. Half-backs – Brad Michie, Adam Dinnage, Brad Burns. Centres – Dean Brown, Clint Evans, Adam Baxter. Half-forwards – Luke Franklin, Kurt Batt, John Thwaites. Forwards – Brad McDonald, Peter Stapleton, Troy Giles. Rucks – Dale Robinson, Alex Saraikin, Sean Dwyer. Interchange – Blake Batt, Shane Newcombe and Russell Loughridge. Congratulations to all from the Tigers committee, who wanted particular thanks sent to trainers and fellow support staff who worked “behind the scenes” for the past decade.
TALK about putting the mozz on someone. Last week Footy Shorts extolled the virtues of the NARRE WARREN under-18s, labelling them the best under-age team in Victoria. The young Magpies promptly lost to BERWICK by five points on the weekend, halting their winning streak at 13 matches. Footy Shorts promises not to jinx the Fox Road youngsters again.
CASEY Radio will broadcast the Casey Cardinia grand final from BERWICK. Discussions are yet to confirm the length of the broadcast, but it is hopeful the pre-match show will begin at noon. Tune into 97.7FM or listen online at www.3ser.org.au
THERE were a lot of sore heads at CRANBOURNE on Sunday morning. The club held its 1991 premiership reunion with 18 of the 20 grand final players present, as well as numerous officials and supporters. John van Oirshot, who coached the Eagles to back-to-back premierships in 1990 and 1991, made the long trip from Queensland. They watched the Eagles demolish PAKENHAM, suggesting that they may soon welcome 22 new members to the Cranbourne premiership players club.
Cranbourne is one of eight clubs unbeaten in the Victorian Country Football League action this year. The others are Sunbury, Golden Square, Trafalgar, Bambill, Sale City, Horsham and Lindenow South. On Saturday, Lindenow South became the first club to make it through to a grand final, when it defeated Swifts Creek in the second-semi of the Omeo League. But it copped a big fright, Swifts Creek booting eight goals in the third term to hit the lead. Led by Rodney O’Keefe (six goals), Lindenow South then kicked eight goals in the last term.
BEACONSFIELD is doing all it can to contact Andrew Davidson and Terry Glasscott, who played in its premiership side of 30 years ago. Reunions of Beaconsfield’s 1981 and 2001 senior premiership teams will be held during the annual past players and officials luncheon at Perc Allison Oval on Saturday, when the Eagles are at home to neighbours Berwick.
The two premiership sides were coached by Jim Read and Leigh Clifford respectively. Father-and-son team Lyn and Christian Studham will be the guest speakers at the Beaconsfield show. Meanwhile, the Eagles have confirmed Austinn “Aussie” Jones will coach the club next year.
IT APPEARS a few gremlins got into our system in recent weeks. First, an answer to the question about the biggest influence on his career to field umpire Jamie Warden in snapshots two weeks ago morphed from Alan Coad to Alan Goad. While Goad was a mighty fine footballer, a GIPPSLAND product and HAWTHORN 1976 premiership player, we doubt he has the umpiring knowledge of the former GUA umpires adviser, Alan Coad. And much to the mirth of many teammates, recent BULN BULN retiree Dean Burnell’s age mysteriously moved from 40 in October this year to 44 in Footy Shorts lastweek.
