HAMPTON PARK has struck, snaring the signature of talented VERMONT midfielder and defender Leigh Morse. Morse, who joined the Eastern Football League powerhouse in 2007 from the CASEY SCORPIONS after a stint with BOX HILL, is renowned for his courage and foot skills. The move will reacquaint Morse with Redbacks coach Josh Taylor, with whom he played in the TAC Cup at the EASTERN RANGES a decade ago. In more news from the Booth Reserve, former premiership ruckman Danny Rout is also tipped to rejoin his old club as reserves coach after a stint in Queensland, while former senior coach Peter Wood will take charge of moves from the bench in 2010. Taylor has indicated that there will be more news of player gains over the next few weeks as the Redbacks rebuild for a tilt at the 2010 finals.
RAGING bulls were apparently the go during the end-of-season footy trip enjoyed by PAKENHAM players at Bendigo over the weekend, but one lad came off second best, according to our spies. During an impromptu bullfight session after several cleansing ales, one “bull” split open his head after charging at the “matador” who held his red cape out in front of a wall. Eight stitches later the wounded Lion was said to be pursuing slightly more subdued forms of entertainment.
BULN BULN president Brian “Barney” Sell confirmed the appointment of DOVETON midfielder Daniel Charles as the Lyrebirds’ senior coach on Sunday. The 36-year-old star has had a great career spanning stints at BEACONSFIELD and BERWICK while in his younger days he played VFA football with both SPRINGVALE and DANDENONG. The Lyrebirds intend to name an assistant coach this week and have been aggressive in their recruiting in recent weeks and hope to snare half a dozen quality newcomers from the MPNFL and the WGLFL. In other good news for the club, its ground should be in tip-top shape when the season starts next year. Buln Buln’s ground sustained significant damage in the Black Saturday fires and the club has put $21,000 in compensation from the state government and the Baw Baw Shire council into replacing 40 advertising signs, more than 200 trees and posts and extensive mulching since the footy season finished.
AFTER almost being tempted to join former teammate Clint Williams at NAR NAR GOON, key tall man David Main has decided to stay with ROC in 2010. Main gave the commitment to Kangaroos coach Kris Fletcher last week, ending speculation that he would transfer to the EDFL. Main’s decision is a big plus for ROC, which started the journey up the Casey Cardinia league ladder this year and has been actively seeking to add more talent to its young emerging list. Main has the potential to be a key player at either end of the ground and must now step up as one of the on-field leaders at Starling Road.
ONE of the better rumours floating around the local traps last week was that former PAKENHAM defender David Sheahan was on the comeback trail after almost two seasons away from the game. However, the word is that the 2007 Gazette Team of the Year full back was likely to line up with BEACONSFIELD in 2010 rather than the Lions. Sheahan’s name has also been linked with EDFL runners-up CORA LYNN, where his sister plays netball, and if he is intending to play again there is no doubt new Pakenham coach Ryan Cassidy will be keen to line up a chat, too.
LONGWARRY is after a new senior coach after Graeme Jose moved to CATANI where he lives with his extensive greyhound interests. The Blues are delighted to have a person of his football experience aboard and he is expected take a backroom role with the club. Two potential candidates for the Crows’ senior coaching role are the rugged McDonald brothers, Grant and Leigh, who are both expected to leave BULN BULN over summer.
STILL plenty of talk around the traps about on and off-field action at BEACONSFIELD as the Eagles attempt to claw their way back to power, but one item that has slipped through the net is that the new “you beaut” ground being constructed to replace the Perc Allison Oval will be a car-parking-free facility. According to senior Beacy members no cars will be allowed around the new ground at all. One most miffed long-time Eagle suggested that the spirit of local football was alive and well at the old ground on the banks of the Cardinia Creek and that would die if another sterile, characterless ground like Casey Fields was produced.
TO on-field matters and there has been no shortage of interest in ex-BEACONSFIELD reserves coach Scott Mather since his departure from the Perc Allison Oval a fortnight ago. Three clubs – BERWICK, CORA LYNN and ROC – have spoken to the reigning league reserves best and fairest player about the possibility of him continuing his playing and coaching career next year and one suitor is believed to be very close to gaining his signature.
CATANI has re-appointed senior coach Paul Alger for his ninth consecutive season and the wily mentor intends to don the boots again as well. Casting an eye over his coaching record is a pretty impressive read. In his eight years at the helm, the Blues have never finished lower than fourth, have played in four grand finals and won back-to-back flags in 2004-05. Rumours recently circulated that the Blues were close to signing five-time DEVON MEADOWS best and fairest player Jesse Dehey, but the star midfielder has indicated that he will remain loyal to the Panthers in 2010.
MEANWHILE one player who may depart CATANI is assistant coach and two-time best and fairest winner Josh Tymensen. The veteran midfielder is looking to further his career as a senior coach and has reportedly fielded many offers from far and wide over recent weeks.
AND here’s an interesting reflection on what it takes to get the best out of yourself in the modern local football environment. It has come to light that several CRANBOURNE players underwent hypnotherapy during the 2009 season as the Eagles tried to lift themselves to the level required to match league benchmarks PAKENHAM and DOVETON. The ploy obviously had some effect as Cranny had its best season for many years, making the finals for the first time in a decade.
MORWELL has announced that former HAWTHORN player and reigning WGLFL Trood and Rodder award winner Adrian Cox will coach the Tigers in 2010, replacing Jason McFarlane. The former GIPPSLAND POWER midfield star returned to the Latrobe Valley in 2009 and was an immediate success, coaching SALE to a premiership. Morwell has also advised that former ST KILDA defender Brett Knowles, who won the club’s best and fairest this season despite having to make the regular trek from South Australia where he is an assistant coach with SANFL club NORTH ADELAIDE, will also play on with the Tigers in 2010.
