DOVETON has suffered a huge blow, as has the Casey Cardinia League, after 2009 Norm Walker medalist Russell Gabriel told the club he would accept an offer to return to the VFL.
Gabriel, who was recruited from FRANKSTON this year, will return to the Dolphins under new coach and former MPNFL goalkicking legend Simon Goosey in 2010.
If the 20-year-old ruckman-forward can produce his best again, there is every chance he could come under the notice of AFL recruiters as a mature-aged draftee given the imminent inclusion of two new teams at the elite level.
A Doves source said that Gabriel had told the club that if it did not work out with the Dolphins he would return to the Robinson Reserve and that, fitness permitting, he also intended to play with Doveton when the VFL had a bye next season.
AND still at DOVETON, Peninsula battlers PINES apparently ran up a serious phone bill over the past few weeks chasing a host of senior stars from the Robinson Reserve, with the list headed by Ryan Hendy.
A Pythons’ source said that Hendy was among the main targets for the club’s vacant coaching position and one of the attractions was the possibility of two or three of his Dove team-mates following should he sign up.
However, Pines efforts look to have been wasted with Hendy signing on as Doveton’s assistant coach last week after changes to the Doves on-and-off-field structure, led by the appointment of Mark Ladgrove as senior coach.
That move is set to stabilise the club and officials are confident that most of the players tipped to leave will now stay in the green and black.
THE recently reported departure of talls at PAKENHAM has been addressed quickly with word that strong-marking key forward Nathan Leishout is as good as signed to return to the Toomuc Reserve after two seasons at WARRAGUL.
Leishout’s move to the Gulls, after a great 2007 season, was criticised by many at the Lions den at the time, but insiders were always confident that he would return to the club and make a mark in the stronger Casey Cardinia League.
That now looks likely and is a bonus for new coach Ryan Cassidy.
WE learned many years ago that if you have a slow news week just check the latest from GARFIELD and the space would be filled.
The Stars have obliged again with word of simmering tensions between several long-time club members after a heated argument at the local hotel recently about the direction of the new EDFL club.
Witnesses tell Footy Shorts that there was plenty said about the future of the club, together with accusations of disloyalty (all very public), before one Stars’ stalwart and life member declared he would be tearing his ticket up.
Apparently the upshot was played out at a get-together at a Pakenham Chinese restaurant a week later, but lips were sealed and not even vocal Garfield legend ‘Possum’ Miller was allowed to say one word about it.
CORA LYNN has re-appointed Chris Toner as senior coach for 2010.
After guiding the Cobras to back-to-back grand finals in 2008-09, which included a premiership in 2008, Toner is held in high regard by insiders and many local clubs and a number of punters thought he may try his hand at a higher level.
The Cobras are on the lookout for a reserves coach after the resignation of two-time premiership mentor Garry Warren, while Ray ‘Windows’ Payne will again oversee the Cobra thirds next season.
RUMOURS are rife experienced CORA LYNN trio Shane Dwyer, Chad Ingram and Luke Christopher will all hang up the boots over summer.
President Andrew Bergmeier said he had not heard anything official, but dearly hopes they will all go around for another year.
“They are still quality players and have a lot to offer in terms of helping nurture the next wave of youngsters, the likes of Nick Helsby and Luke Foreman. It’s important to keep experienced players to help the younger players come through,” he said last weekend.
WHISPERS have turned into roars of discontent among several CASEY SCORPIONS’ players who are yet to be fully paid their agreed dues by the club for 2009.
According to an inside spy, there has been no communication from the club re the outstanding payments and new coach Brad Gotch has had to field more than one query as to when settlement is likely.
This is not a good advertisement for the district’s VFL affiliate and has sparked rumours of possible financial problems at Casey Fields.
DEVON MEADOWS has struck in the recruitment stakes by signing talented NOBLE PARK forward David Velardo.
Velardo is a strong player who had a connection with gun Panther and former Bull Daniel Rigg and indicated that he wanted a change of scenery.
Club sources said he did not muck around or play the games that many potential recruits do and signed on smartly after an offer was made.
Panthers’ coach Steve O’Brien was happy with that and said the momentum since the end of the season had been very positive.
THE fallout of the PEARCEDALE footy trip to Warrnambool continues with word that several of the 21 players involved have made approaches to, or been approached by, other clubs with the view to a change of scenery.
The MPNFL has the names of all those players and, among recent resolutions, has asked the Panthers to fine each $2000 to cover damage and retribution. That has gone down badly with those who contend that they were not involved in any wrongdoing. Some of the names on the list of attendees are the biggest and best at Pearcedale and the incident threatens to drive a wedge between a number who have openly, but as yet unofficially, protested their personal innocence to both the club and MPNFL officials. The question is whether they will be prepared to break ranks and point the finger.
POOWONG has appointed DEVON MEADOWS midfielder Brent Clinnick as its senior coach for the coming season.
The 27-year-old won plaudits for overseeing the Panthers’ thirds for the past three seasons, taking them to the Casey Cardinia League grand final this year.
Scott Braithwaite, a defender and two-time best-and-fairest winner at KORUMBURRA, has been signed as an assistant coach. Apart from ruckman Chris Wylie, who will try out with the CASEY SCORPIONS over summer and promising tall forward Ben Hancock who is likely to make the 2010 GIPPSLAND POWER list, the Magpies are confident they will retain almost their full list for next season.
THE MPNFL won the gong for the best Major League footy record when winners were announced at the recent VCFL Premiers dinner.
The publication is a terrific read and covers every aspect of the three member leagues each week, together with sections dedicated to the MPNFL Colts competition, FRANKSTON in the VFL, the DANDENONG STINGRAYS in the TAC Cup, the Southern Umpires (SUA) and the league’s history. Well done to all involved. The SUA was also honoured by the announcement of young whistle-blower James Richardson as the best umpire of 2009.
NYORA has finally confirmed that midfielder-forward Corrie Wilson will return to the club as senior coach in 2010 after a one-year stint with DOVETON.
As forecast in Footy Shorts a fortnight ago, his brother Nathan, an experienced key-position player with the Doves, will also pull on a Saints’ jumper next year and there is strong word around the traps that quite a few more Doves will follow in the coming weeks.
The Saints are also keen to regain the services of 2008 premiership players, Nathan Osler and Tim Smith, who left last year to join KORUMBURRA, along with midfielders Jed Answerth and Dean Hislop.
Nyora officials are also keeping their fingers crossed that they can lure back another star and league medalist Rory Gilliatte, who played with TOORADIN this year.
An assistant coach is expected to be announced shortly.
