By Jarrod Potter
WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS off season recruiting is ticking along quite nicely. Following the appointment of Daniel Charles as assistant coach, who has left BULN BULN after three seasons in charge, the Dusties have now confirmed the arrival of another seasoned player in DROUIN’s Troy Kneebone. The enigmatic former Hawk was never too far away from making a big impact in the Gippsland football league and his strength and marking ability will provide the Dusties with another goal scoring target to support forward wizard Mick Santo. Santo missed most of last season with injury but is back on the training track. Both he and Kneebone are no shrinking violets, so Dusties fans should be guaranteed plenty of entertainment next year.
Former DROUIN midfielder, Mick Ablett, who played at YARRAGON this season, has also been lured to the WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS and to further bolster the Dusties on ball brigade NILMA-DARNUM’s Luke Shelly will also put on a Teal jumper this season. The INDUSTRIALS will again be piloted by star midfielder Shane Brewster, who will enter in his second season at the helm in 2012. Aside from utility Shane Ingham, who has announced his retirement the Dusties expect to retain most of last season’s playing list.
LANG LANG has also got to work lately in the recruitment stakes. The Tigers have picked up South Australian rover, Russell Randle, who played at FLINDERS PARK last year and boasts half a dozen years experience in the SANFL with STURT. Randle is 33-years-old but from all reports is still very fit and is expected to make his presence felt around the packs. Blake Batt has returned from overseas and Corey Batt, his cousin who played at FRANKSTON BOMBERS this season, has also joined the swampland team. CORA LYNN reserves ruckman Joel Veugelers, who showed plenty of promise last season but could not crack it for a senior game, has decided to try his luck with Tigers and another ruckman Sam Cole has returned to the club from PAKENHAM.
DISAPPOINTING for LANG LANG fans is the news that promising midfielder Sean Dwyer is making a slower than expected recovery from a cracked bone in his foot suffered this season. He is unlikely to be fit enough to start the 2012 season and more than likely to miss a big chunk of it. Two of last season’s emerging players, half back Dylan Mitchell and centre man Billy Hayes have also returned to their former club DEVON MEADOWS. Former CORA LYNN tall Craig Parke has been appointed reserves coach and Jeff Campbell will coach the thirds for the third consecutive season. Shy of a few numbers in the Under-16’s and Under-18’s the Tigers would be grateful to hear from any prospective recruits at these age levels.
MIXED fortunes at DROUIN over the last few weeks! Word has it that star midfielder Andy Soumilas is now certain to leave the Hawks and will most likely put on a NARRE WARREN jumper in 2012. Hawk fans however will still hold hope the 2011 Gippsland Football League best and fairest will change his mind. He signed and trained with the Magpies earlier this year, only to do an about face and return. Suspect the prolific ball winner won’t rescind his decision to leave this time!
LANKY ruckman Bob McCallum who played with FRANKSTON this season has surprisingly opted to leave the VFL after only one season and return to DROUIN. Ironically, spare parts man Damien Carmody, who had to shoulder the bulk of the Hawks ruck duties this season in McCallum’s absence and would be the biggest beneficiary of his return, is contemplating a move to Geelong football league team, ST ALBANS. In other news to concern Hawk fans, star utility Chris Dunne has moved to Darwin and is currently playing with NIGHTCLIFFE. He may not return in 2012 and if the hearsay is correct the Hawks may also struggle to hold onto gun midfielder Pat McGrath, who has been approached by his old club KORUMBURRA. On the plus side Darren Jeffreys, a skilful midfielder has joined the club from ROWVILLE.
ONE club to keep a low profile in recent months is POOWONG. The Magpies have appointed ruck rover Matt Grant as senior coach, Col Attenborough as reserves coach and club Secretary Joe Green will oversee the Under-18s. While yet to officially announce any new arrivals, the club reports good numbers and plenty of new faces at training which includes a number of DROUIN, WARRAGUL and KORUMBURRA players. If things go to plan, the Magpies hope to snare a few signatures in the new year.
The 2012 Ellinbank and District fixture is now available on the league website. Similar to last season, two ‘catch up’ games, to be played on 24 March will precede the opening round which starts on 31 March. This unusual start to the season is necessary due to the 15 team competition. The catch up games will feature LANG LANG at home to CORA LYNN and NILMA DARNUM will host this season’s runner-up NEERIM NEERIM SOUTH. The highlight of the opening round on 31 March will be a clash between this year’s premiers GARFIELD and preliminary finalists CORA LYNN.
THERE are a few disgruntled Ellinbank and District league clubs at the moment. Their common grievance stems from what many say is the inordinate money being offered to lure away their youngsters, many of whom have barely a year or two of senior experience. With many youngsters yet to make a firm commitment, a number of clubs are reporting difficulty knowing what holes they will need to fill in order to field a well balanced line-up in 2012.
FOOTY SHORTS wish all readers the best for a safe festive season and a prosperous New Year!
