BUNYIP spearhead Robbie Dierickx did not take long to show supporters how badly he was missed last season. With three first-half goals and a hand in a few others he set the Bulldogs alight in the first half and on their way to an upset victory over CATANI in the EDFL season opener. Dierickx reportedly had a fall-out with 2010 coach Steve Henwood last season and opted to play the entire season in the reserves, where he showcased his talent by winning the Gerald Heenan Medal for league reserves best and fairest. Now back in the seniors where he belongs, and alongside Robbie Hughes, who has returned to the club from SCOTTSDALE, both provided the goal-scoring potency the Bulldogs were screaming out for last year.
WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS’ new coach Shane Brewster was pleased with his team’s final practice match despite going down by four points to ROC on Saturday. “We showed good passion and team togetherness, we moved the ball well and our backline held firm,” he said after the match. Brewster offered praise for the efforts of his assistant coach Manny Perresso, new recruits Chris Potalej, Ayden Mills and talls Russell Ware and Ben Hobgen, who all figured prominently and look in fine fettle for a big season.
LANG LANG is well prepared for the season after a hard-fought practice match against PHILLIP ISLAND. Only two points separated the sides in favour of the Alberton League team. Coach and ruckman Ben Dwyer led by example and has fully recovered from the broken jaw he sustained midway through last season while new assistant coach Danny O’Hara and veteran Stuart Casey were solid in defence. Ruck-rover Sean Dwyer and wingman Bodie Brown both impressed and are two players, who could take their game to a new level this season. Tiger fans were pleased to see former young star and best and fairest Dean Brown make an appearance in the reserves and get through without any problems. Brown has been sidelined for two seasons after suffering serious internal injuries in a road accident.
WARRAGUL’S pre-season resurgence continued on Saturday after it accounted for 2010 Southern League Division One runner-up CHELSEA HEIGHTS by more than 30 points. “Our new structures are starting to fall into place and we are making inroads. The players are absorbing it (the game plan) and responding well,” said new coach George Morgan. Captain Matt Gray, youngster Brad Hamilton and POOWONG recruits Jarryd and Ben Drew all performed well for the second consecutive week. Youngsters Lachlan Petch (five goals) and Tom Carey (three) provided good targets up forward. And for the trivia minded, both their fathers played league football, Tom’s father, Steve, was a premiership player at ESSENDON while Lachlan’s father, Len, played for HAWTHORN in the early to mid-1970s.
GIPPSLAND League newcomers BAIRNSDALE gave every indication it would be competitive this season after a respectable 36-point loss to reigning premiers MAFFRA on Saturday. The Redlegs, the East Gippsland premiers last season, matched the Eagles for long periods and cannot be dismissed lightly. MAFFRA youngsters Sam Butler and Trent Porter, the younger brother of Kelvin, both starred and Andrew Gieschen, who has returned to the club to play five more games to reach his 200-game milestone, kicked four goals. Disappointingly for the Eagles, silky-skilled midfield star Ben Coleman sustained a hip injury that will see him in doubt for their opening game blockbuster against SALE on Sunday 11 April.
THE GFL has revised its player point system this season. It appears many former AFL players are not performing up to their expectations and whereas they previously incurred either five or six penalty points, this season the ex-AFL chaps will be assigned only three points. In a nutshell, each team is allocated an aggregate point tally aligned to its town population. For example, the region’s biggest, TRARALGON, has a 31-point aggregate to abide by each week while the two smallest towns in the league, MAFFRA and LEONGATHA, with fewer than 5000 people, have a 37-point margin to adhere to. In other news from GFL headquarters, all clubs have been put on notice that they must supply their own umpires for reserves matches this year, with a shortage of whistleblowers across the LVUA and GUA.
MORWELL can enter its round one clash against WONTHAGGI with confidence. The Tigers thrashed DONCASTER last week and on Saturday won by five goals against FRANKSTON PINES. Morwell has lost several players – Liam Visser, Nathan Scurrah and Thys Stanistreet – all to YINNAR while rover Jim Dowling and tall Lachlan Dowling are both overseas and unlikely to play this season. New coach Damian Kerr and assistant coach Royce Vardy have the Tigers ticking along nicely. MORWELL has lured classy Lindenow forward Kaine Bulmers and former YARRAM coach Jason Swift is training with the Tigers and expected to sign. Former ELLINBANK assistant coach Jeremy Reid replaces Swift at YARRAM this year.
THE Gippsland Umpires Association is keen to hear from anyone interested in joining. “We haven’t got an abundance of numbers this season in any of the three disciplines, field, boundary and goal and are seeking anyone that may be interested,” said president Shane Morgan on Sunday evening. The GUA needs a minimum of 50 umpires a week to supply 14 senior, 14 boundary and 14 goal umpires in the EDFL and also needs extra numbers for three Gippsland league grades. Over summer, Andrew Dignam was appointed goal adviser, Rob Young and Geoff Galbraith will share the boundary adviser responsibilities this season and Paul Osborn occupies the position of fitness adviser. The umpires train on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting at 6pm at Bellbird Park in Drouin.
IN ITS first pre-season match on Saturday, BULN BULN disappointed by losing to YARRAGON. Coach Daniel Charles opted to field a young side but would have been far from happy with his team’s effort. Of the youngsters to impress, wingman Trent Baker, who missed the last cut at GIPPSLAND POWER, was a stand-out and James Davidson and Dean Allen both made their presence felt and will be names we will hear more of this season.
THREE of the best sports tutors going around at the moment, ST KILDA mentor Ross Lyon, netball legend and current Australian coach Norma Plummer and master Cranbourne horse trainer Colin Alderson will all be guest speakers at the CATANI football club on 16 April after the Blues big clash with NAR NAR GOON. The night starts at 6pm, and entry is $30, which includes plenty of nibbles, while for an extra $15 a top meal can be bought on the night. For details contact Ron Banbury on 0407 294 276.
KEYSBOROUGH will host Pines on Friday 8 April under lights as a fundraiser for the Stroke Foundation of Australia. The father of Pines coach Gary Connolly passed away recently from a stroke. Keysborough coach Brad Canavan coached with Connolly at Frankston and Connolly is the brother-in-law of Dean McCallum, a triple best and fairest winner with the Burras. Entry will cost a gold coin donation.
DEVON Meadows has lost defender Russell White for the year after he injured his knee at training.
NAR Nar Goon Football Club has a big Sportsman’s Night coming up on Tuesday 5 April at the Goon hall – featuring media personality and funnyman Sam Kekovich, cricketer and commentator Damien Fleming and basketballer Chris Anstey. The night will be compered by Dave Whalen. Tickets are $45 and can be booked through Peter White on 0408 392 583 or whitie27@hotmail.com or Tess Noonan on 0438 841 867 or email tnoonan@sfx.vic.edu.au
