Page 48 — Friday, July 8, 2011

Sport

INSIDE
THE STAWELL
NAVARRE PREVIEW .................................. PAGE 47

The Stawell Times-News is published by Ian NETBALL .................................................... PAGE 46

Ronald Peterson, for Regional Publishers
(Western Victoria) Pty. Ltd. (a Division of Rural
Press Limited), at the office of The Stawell Times-
NAVARRE FOOTBALL CENTENARY .......... PAGE 42
News, 58 Main Street, Stawell, and printed at
Rural Press Printing, Walsh Estate, Learmonth
Road, Wendouree. SPORTS NEWS TELEPHONE 5358 1060 or 5358 2725 • Email: stawelltimes@thecourier.com.au

Tough day out

WFL - They have surged into the
record books after eight consecu-
tive premierships and are yet to
be challenged in 2011, but are the
Horsham Demons untouchable?
Stawell Westlift Warriors will
find out tomorrow when they take
on the Wimmera Football League
powerhouse at City Oval.
Warriors are in for a tough
day at the office, but coach Ben
Williamson said they would not be
overawed by their opposition.
“They’re definitely not unbeat-
able,” he said.
“If we can get our match-ups
right and everyone has a good day
then I have no doubt we can be
competitive.
“We just have to go out there
and not worry about who we are
playing.
“We can’t afford to go out there
and be intimidated, otherwise
we’ve lost before we’ve even
started.”
The War rior s have shown
glimpses of improvement since
their previous encounter with
the Demons which saw them
outclassed by 109 points.
Last week the side came
within 35 points of an upset over
the Warrack Eagles, a 38 point
turnaround from their round one
meeting.
While the result was far from
embarrassing, players still have
plenty of work to do.
Williamson said disappoint-
ing numbers on the training
track continued to sabotage the
team’s progress, along with the
mindset that ‘close enough is good
enough’.
“We need to be as competitive
as we can and not be content with
just getting close like we were last
week,” he said.
“Horsham is going to be even
tougher again. Their depth and
structures are a bit better than
Warrack and they are just so well
drilled.”
The Demons’ dominance was
highlighted last week when they
celebrated a 167 point triumph
over Nhill, their rivals in last
year’s grand final.
Jordy Burke and Dylan Parish
were in fine form against the
Tigers, booting seven and six
goals respectively, while the hard
running Brad Hartigan and Nick
Pekin put the nail in the coffin.
Williamson said Stawell would
be wary of Parish after he bagged
ten goals in their round two
clash.
“I think it’s a matter of cutting
his supply. We will need to take
him wide and not give him a direct
jump at the ball,” he said.
“Pottsy (Brenton Potter) is
having a good year so he will get
a chance on him at some stage,
whether he will start on him I
don’t know.”
If challenging the Demons
wasn’t going to be hard enough,
the Warriors will be forced to
do so without the services of
Dan Matthews (shoulder), Isaac
Rathgeber (heel) and Dale Power
(hamstring), who were all injured
in last week’s match.
Their absence will put extra
pressure on the Warriors backline,
while midfielders Justin Eales
and Dale Hurley will need to work
overtime to counteract Horsham’s
run and carry.
Williamson said a positive
mindset and hard work were the
only things that would get his side
over the line.
“It’s just one of those things.
You don’t jump into any game,
thinking you are going to lose,”
he said.
“I want us to give it our best
effort and walk off the ground
completely exhausted. I will be
happy if I know everyone gave it
their best crack.”

Baggies out
for revenge
HDFL - CKS Swifts will seek revenge at North
Park tomorrow when it lines up against Natimuk
in the Horsham District Football League.
Despite fighting for third place on the ladder,
Swifts will also be hungry for success after
Natimuk pulled off a surprise 10 point victory in
round three.
Since that day the Baggies have shown they can
match it with any team in the competition.
“After last time we cannot afford to take them
(Natimuk) lightly,” Swifts coach Paul Hanns
said.
“They were really physical against us in that
game, which unsettled a few blokes. Since then
though the whole team has taken a lot out of it
and when a side has tried to get physical they’ve
made sure it doesn’t happen.”
From that losing team 11 weeks ago Swifts has
added eight different players to its line up, includ-
ing Nick McKenzie, Nick Thomas, Sean Mantell
and Richard Thomas, all very handy inclusions.
However, Ricky Whitehead won’t be taking to
the field, neither will Adam Taylor due to work
commitments, paving the way for Adam Mullane-
Pratt and possibly the in form Matt Bunting. Rallying support for Sunday’s Great Western Football/Netball Club meeting L-R Leanne Rhodes from Rhodes Plumbing the club’s
With Whitehead and Jeremy Joiner out, Swifts sponsor, club committee member Rod Matheson and netball player Emily Patterson.
forward line takes a big hit, but with Richard

Lions to strive back?

Thomas, Ben Scott and Jacob Hamilton all proven
goal kickers, it’s not as bad as first thought.
Natimuk is coming off back to back wins and will
be keen to add a third, not if Hanns and his onball
brigade of Nick Thomas, Scott Carey, Mantell,
Hamilton and Robbie Vaughan have anything to
do with it.
“They’ve got a couple of handy players in (Ash)
Pekin and (Jono) Lovell, so we’ve got to get those
match ups right,” Hanns said.
“We’ve just got to go hard at the footy and try
not to be intimidated by them, just concentrate
on our own game.”
With wet conditions predicted it’s going to be
more than likely a day for the smaller players.
This could also make life easier for defenders Owen
Phillips, Jamie Britten and Jakob Davis.
A win is a must for the Baggies if they wish to
gain the double chance come finals time.
In other HDFL matches Laharum takes on
Kalkee, Pimpinio battles it out with Edenhope-
Apsley, Taylors Lake should crush Rupanyup after
its big win over Harrow-Balmoral, who has another
tough encounter with Noradjuha-Quantong.
Likely line up:
B: O Phillips, N McKenzie, J Britten
HB: N Ringin, J Thomas, J Davis
C: S Mantell, N Thomas, R Vaughan
HF: J Hamilton, R Thomas, R Dodds
F: J Carey, B Scott, D Ball
R: B Hargreaves, P Hanns, S Carey
I: (from) M Newton, B Winton, M St Clair, M Bunting, A
Mullane-Pratt
GREAT WESTERN - The words many
people have been waiting for, Great
Western Football/Netball Club could be
back in 2012.
After going into recess in December
last year due to an unsuccessful bid to
join the Mininera District League, the
Lions may be roaring once again.
This Sunday the club is holding an
information meeting for all past players,
coaches, committee members, support-
ers and any new faces wishing to join the
maroon, gold and blue.
Attendees will be run through ways in
which to bring the club back and then see
if there is enough interest to make this
happen.
Club spokesperson and former presi-
dent Rodney Matheson said there is a lot
of interest in the Lions returning in 2012,
but they’ll take it one step at a time.
“We want to come together and get a bit
of interest back in the club. There’s been a
lot of people talking about it (returning),
but nothing’s been done, so we thought
we’d generate some public interest and
see how it goes,” Matheson said.
“If we left it too late people may want
to stay where they are now, that’s why we
had to do this as early as we could.”
Matheson said they hope to get a
committee started on the day and asked
for ‘all hands on deck’ to get the club back
on its feet.
“If we can get a committee together
we’ve then got to find the players,” he
said.
“It’s all very well focusing on getting
senior footballers, but it’s the netball and
junior footballers that help keep the club
going too.
“What we want to put in place is that if
and when we sign players, we want them
for two or three years, not like in the
past.”
The day at the Great Western club rooms
will start from 11am with a talk to all in
attendance from certain club officials as
well as VCFL regional manager Bruce
Petering.
This will be followed by a barbecue
lunch and extraordinary meeting, where
a committee will hopefully be formed.
From here, if all goes to plan, another
extraordinary meeting will be called in
August to work out the Lions entry into
either the Mininera or Horsham District
Leagues.
“If we get enough commitment then
we will go through the right processes
to pursuing we come back into either
league,” Matheson said.
“Bruce Petering informed us we can
apply for entry into the Mininera League
within 12 months, so that’s our long term
aim at this stage.
“With all the fundraisers like the rodeo
etc it’s helped keep us financially well off,
we just need people willing to help out.”
Matheson said the town has definitely
noticed the difference with the Football
and Netball Club gone.
“People are always saying it’s sad when
they drive through the town on a Saturday
and there’s nothing there,” he said.
“It’s not only that though, the shop
and pub both suffer, and locals can’t just
go over to the oval, they have to drive
elsewhere to watch or play.”
Anyone and everyone is urged to get
along to Great Western this Sunday.
Page 48 — Friday, August 12, 2011

SPORTS CALL: (03) 5352 2442 SPORTS FAX: (03) 5352 4793
Sport
SPORTS CALL EMAIL:
SPORTS (03) 5352 2442 FAX (03) 5352 4793
ararateditorial@ruralpress.com

Lions
reform
GREAT WESTERN - The future of the Great
Western Football Netball Club is looking bright
following the club passing a vote to reform at its
annual general meeting on Sunday.
The club decided to go into a two-year recess in
December 2010 when it failed to fill its executive
positions, but the people of Great Western banded
together at a community meeting last month.
This lead to Sunday’s AGM, which resulted in all
positions on the board being filled.
Rodney Matheson was elected president with
Peter Bullock taking on the vice president’s
position. Forty people have put up their hands to
take a place on the reformed committee.
The AGM provided a forum for an open discus-
sion about which league the Lions should apply to
join and for which season.
Great Western went into recess after it failed in
its bid to join the Mininera and District Football
League from the Horsham District Football
League.
Because the club is still affiliated with the
HDFL, it needs to reapply to enter the MDFL.
Ararat’s Tom Rowe looks to get the better of his Nhill opponent in a ruck contest last week. The Rats won the match by 10 points,
The club has alerted the Victorian Country but will have their work cut out for them against a strong Stawell Warriors outfit at Central Park tomorrow.
Football League to its intention to do so and the Picture: PETER PICKERING.
club is now waiting on a decision as to when it can
reapply.

If Great Western is knocked back by the MDFL
and VCFL, it can revert back to HDFL should it
wish to do so.
This would depend on Great Western members
and how they vote.
Clearly a challenge lies ahead for the club.
President Rodney Matheson would not rule out
a return to the HDFL, but said the members are
‘keen on going south’.
Another issue that arose at the AGM was the
year Great Western - should it be successful in its
application - would join the league.
“If everything goes sweetly, 2012 (could be the
year) if we knuckle down and work,” Matheson
said.
However 2013 may be more likely, as it would give
the committee 12 months to put a business plan
in place.
“If we go in like a bull at a gate (in 2012) and it
doesn’t work, I’d say we (Great Western) have lost
it forever,” Matheson said.
“We need a good business plan and good recruit-
ing for both football and netball,” he said.
Matheson said players would be recruited from
Stawell and southern districts.
The club has already had offers of sponsorship,
with plumber Phil Rhodes leading the way.
“He is prepared to be committed, which is
fantastic. He just loves the club,” Matheson said.
Great Western Football Netball Club will hold
another meeting on Sunday, September 11, by
which time it is hoping to have correspondence
from both the MDFL and VCFL.
Matheson said at the moment it is a case of wait
and see.
“We can’t set anything in cement until the VCFL
makes a decision,” he said.
Rats do battle
By SAM SHALDERS
WFL - Rivalries in the Wimmera
Football League don’t come any bigger
than Ararat and Stawell and with the two
clubs fighting for the last spot in the top
five, a fierce battle tomorrow at Central
Park is sure to transpire.
Warriors are coming off an 80 point
thumping of Horsham United, while the
Rats dug deep to get over the line against
Nhill by 10 points.
The match wasn’t without its casual-
ties for Ararat, with Tom Cashin likely
out for the rest of the season with an
ankle injury and Shane Young suffering
a groin strain.
Neither will play this weekend, nor will
fellow defender Ryan Bates or in-form
forward Scott Turner (both unavailable),
Ararat’s depleted backline is sure
to cause coach Brendan Scott some
headaches, as he tries to work out which
players will cover Stawell’s creative
forwards, who managed to kick 24 goals
between them last week.
“Stawell’s forward line is impressive,
(Julian) Carr kicked eight last week and
if Tuckey plays he is always dangerous,”
Scott said.
“Brad Harricks has probably been our
most consistent player of the season, so
he will pick up one of the big men and
hopefully shut him down like he has
been.”
Harricks was brilliant against the
Tigers following the injury to Cashin,
pickin g up power-forward Daniel
Hargraves and nullifying his impact on
the match.
In the absence of Turner, the coach
said his young forwards would need to
continue their good form and take their
chances when they came.
“We will rotate our forwards a fair bit.
Luckily we have plenty of players who can
kick goals, and a good target at centre half
forward in Mick (Fratin), who has been in
excellent touch the last six weeks,” Scott
said.
Ararat will need to be mindful of
Stawell’s damaging midfield, led by
Justin Eales and agile wingman Cam
Kimber. Warriors have no shortage of ruck
stocks either, with tall players across the
ground.
Tom Rowe and Bernie Peoples have
both been showing great endeavour and
will again share the Rats’ ruck duties.
They may also have support from Nathan
Stapleton, who was solid in the reserves
last week.
“We will definitely get Scott Dadswell
back in the side, which will be a handy
inclusion, and there’s a possibility of
some under 17 players coming up,” Scott
said.
“So we take a bit of confidence into the
match having beaten them last time, but
both teams had some players missing so
there will be some different match-ups to
what we saw in round seven.
“Justin Eales is a player we will focus
our attention on stopping, but they also
have good younger kids that can’t be
overlooked. We have to make sure our
younger players are running hard and
using the ball well.”
Those younger players have added an
exciting spark to Ararat’s game this
year, with Jack Ganley constantly among
the team’s best players, Hugh Sheehan
looking comfortable across half back and
Joel Fitzpatrick performing efficiently at
both ends of the ground.
Scott said despite the Rats’ chances of
playing finals not mathematically gone if
they drop this game, it is still imperative
they take the four points.
“The boys are pretty excited and realise
this is a big game,” he said.
“The rivalry has always been good
between the two towns, and hopefully the
boys will enjoy the opportunity to play in
a finals-like atmosphere and come away
with another win.”
Page 48 — Friday, August 12, 2011

Sport

INSIDE
THE STAWELL
DISTRICT FOOTBALL................................. PAGE 47

The Stawell Times-News is published by Ian NETBALL .................................................... PAGE 45

Ronald Peterson, for Regional Publishers
(Western Victoria) Pty. Ltd. (a Division of Rural
Press Limited), at the office of The Stawell Times-
CROSS COUNTRY ...................................... PAGE 43
News, 58 Main Street, Stawell, and printed at
Rural Press Printing, Walsh Estate, Learmonth
Road, Wendouree. SPORTS NEWS TELEPHONE 5358 1060 or 5358 2725 • Email: stawelltimes@thecourier.com.au

Finals showdown
By SARAH SCULLY

WFL - Tomorrow’s Wimmera

us - our destiny is in our own
hands.”
Williamson said his charges
of the season following a broken
ankle, and Scott Turner, who is
unavailable. Shane Young (groin)
will need to continue their strong
form in defence.
Stawell’s versatility through
sure everyone’s accountable for
their own man,” Williamson said.

and Ryan Bates (overseas) will Williamson said the vibe at

Football League showdown at
Central Park will separate the
finals contender from the finals
pretender as Stawell Westlift
Warriors go head-to-head with
arch rival Ararat.
The winner will not only be
rewarded with a spot in the top
five - they will also be branded a
serious threat to the competition
come September.
While Warriors could still sneak
into finals if they lose tomor-
row, thanks to a guaranteed four
points from the bye in round 18,
they would become dependant on
the results of other matches.
Coach Ben Williamson is
adamant it won’t come down to
that.
“We don’t have a choice,” he
said.
“This week will make or break
had taken confidence from their
last four wins on the trot, their
latest being an 80-point drubbing
of Horsham United.
“We’re in good form. We have
no reason to doubt ourselves,” he
said.
The likely return of Brent
Tuckey and Trev Matthews
from hamstring injuries will
give Stawell a boost, as will the
impending return of Williamson,
who damaged his ribs against
Dimboola.
Williamson said Stawell should
have the luxury of a relatively
full list to choose from, barring
the Nauruan players, who are
unavailable.
The Rats will have a number of
holes in their best line up, most
noticeably key defender Tom
Cashin, who is out for the rest
also miss the match.
The absence of Cashin and Bates
will put added pressure on Brad
Harricks and Tyson Carr, who
will need to step up to account for
the Warriors potent forward line,
which has plenty of firepower.
Julian Carr, Todd Matthews and
Isaac Rathgeber kicked 18 goals
between them last week, and with
plenty of other players capable
of scoring, Ararat may find its
defence is spread too thin.
The loss of Turner will make
Mick Fratin the go-to man, but
Ararat will also require Aaron
McKinnis to provide some spark.
The Rats have a number of other
handy goal kickin g options,
including Jake Williamson and
Jack Ganley, so Dan Matthews,
Brenton Potter and Luke Hendy
the ruck is also an advantage,
with Kyle Hendy, Tuckey, Jorah
Margetson and Shane Field able to
share the duties, and the Warriors
will look to get first use of the ball
and deliver it directly to their
inside-50 metres through the likes
of Justin Eales and Cam Kimber.
Williamson said Stawell did not
want to be pushed into playing a
defensive game.
“Attack is definitely the key -
we’ve got plenty of options and
we’ve got winning form,” he said,
Warriors strengths include
height and experienced bodies, but
they will need to shut down the
Rats classic running game, which
proved superior the last time the
sides met at Alexandra Oval.
“They’re fast and energetic and
we’ve really got to make sure we do
our homework on them and make
training during the week had been
extremely positive.
“We’ve had good numbers on the
training track. I’m a big believer
that you play like you train,” he
said.
Williamson said his team was
not concerned about the rivalry
that was always built up between
Stawell and Ararat.
“They might see it differently,
but for us it doesn’t matter who
we’re playing this week - whether
it’s Ararat or Horsham - just as it
hasn’t mattered over the past few
weeks,” he said.
“We’re just focused on what
we’ve got to do - and that’s do our
jobs so we can play finals footy.”

Wait and
see for
Lions
GREAT WESTERN - Great Western Football and
Netball Club will play a waiting game on whether
or not it takes the field next season.
The club held its first annual general meeting
last Sunday which was attended by 45 people.
The outcome from the meeting, which was an
open discussion forum about which league Great
Western would join and what year this would take
place, was for the Lions to `wait and see’ on what
their future held.
Newly elected president, Rodney Matheson, said
he would not rule out a return to the Horsham
District Football League, but said the members
were `keen on going south’.
The issue then becomes when Great Western
actually takes to the field again - 2012 or 2013.
“If everything goes sweetly, 2012 (could be the
year) if we knuckle down and work. However, 2013
may be likely as it would give the committee
12 months to put a business plan in place,” Mr
Matheson said.
“If we go in like a bull at a gate (in 2012), and it
doesn’t work, I’d say we have lost it forever.
“We just have to wait and see. We can’t set
anything in cement until the VCFL makes its
decision.”
At Sunday’s meeting, the club was successful in Swifts A grade wing defence Kelsey Weight was looking for options as she was surrounded by Laharum opposition in the clash
filling all positions on the board. at North Park on Saturday. Weight and her team lost out to Laharum. PICTURE - MARK McMILLAN.
Continued page 47.
Page 44 — Friday, September 9, 2011

Trackside into Great Western to Orange hold Purple

STAWELL - Designs ‘n’ Signs (Orange) held
basketball final off a fast finishing Sneek-a-Peek (Purple) in the

STAWELL - Trackside Tabaret are into the

grand final of the women’s senior basketball
competition.
Jemma Clarkson and Lucy Pollock fired 14 points
apiece as Trackside cruised to a 52-25 victory over
Gift Hotel.
Courtney Morrow was Gift’s top scorer with 10
points.
Town Hall Hotel are into the preliminary final
after defeating Grampians Physio, 31-26.
Tania Dignan top scored for Town Hall with 12
points with Sarah Morris shooting 10.
Grampians Physio’s Kristy Matthews was a
stand out with 12 points in the five-point loss.
Town Hall have run into good form recently, and
will take on rivals Gift next Tuesday night for a
spot in the grand final.
Preliminary final - September 13: 8pm - Gift Hotel vs Town
Hall Hotel.
Mininera League
GREAT WESTERN - Great Western
Football and Netball Club’s applica-
tion to enter the Mininera District
Football League has been approved
following a meeting held by the
league on Wednesday night.
Mininera District Football League
President David Watson congratu-
lated GWFNC on their inclusion.
“We’re over the moon (with the
decision), “ Mr Watson said.
“It was a resounding vote of
confidence.”
GWFNC can now go ahead and plan
its path for coming out of recess.
Great Western president Rodney
Matheson made a presentation
in front of MDFL presidents and
secretaries.
Mr Watson praised Mr Matheson
for his “terrific presentation.”
“It was very passionate (and) very
impressive. After the presentation
there were lots of compliments
across the floor,” he said.
“Rodney’s very passionate about
the club.”
MDFL had called a special meeting
between all presidents and secretar-
ies, with all attending.
It was an end-of-season review
with Great Western number one topic
on the agenda.
See Tuesday’s Stawell Times-News/
Ararat Advertiser for further details.
Women’s Day basketball competition.
Orange led by 11 points at half time, with Tess
Underwood shooting ten.
Purple gave Orange a fright in the second half,
fighting back and outscoring their opponents
26-16.
However Orange managed to hang on, winning
by one point 43-42.
In the other match Ricksteel Fabrications (Gold)
was untroubled by Foster’s Men’s and Ladies Wear
(White), cruising to a 30-16 win.
Gold’s Jackie Hendy and Steph Walker kicked
off the game in style, each bagging eight first half
points.
White were held to a four point second half as
Gold ran away with the 14 point victory.
Next week’s matches:
1 pm - Green v Gold; Ref: T Dark, S Taylor; Duty: L Jeffrey, A
Perry, K Eckel. 1.50pm - White v Orange; Ref: B Davis, J Pyke;
Duty: S Street, M Murphy, J Hendy, J Notting. Bye: Purple.

Doug Collins crowned One last shot for

monthly medal winner Swifts reserves
STAWELL - Doug Collins was crowned men’s
Grange Golf Club Middendorp monthly medal
winner on a day where many places were deter-
mined on countbacks.
Collins finished with 42 points, also taking home
the stableford B grade honours.
Kevin Fenwick finished B grade runner up with
38 points on a countback from David Johnston,
who took home the Vets honours.
Peter Bartholomew took out the men’s A grade
with 38 points from Rob Bullen.
Once again a countback was needed to determine
the winner of the C grade section. John Anyon
took home the spoils with 39 points on a countback
from Bill Hughes Jr.
Leigh Johnston took home the ladies’ monthly
medal with a score of 41 points. Kaylene Cameron
was runner up with 38 points on a countback from
Di Burton and Lois Dunne.
Ball competition winners were Tom Cooper, Lois
Dunne, Di Burton, Jenny Stewart and Ted Hall.
Jonathon Knight was nearest the pin on men’s
second hole, with Doug Collins saluting on
the 14th. Di Burton was a winner for the ladies,
awarded nearest pin on the 14th hole.
Saturday’s Black Range Shield stableford
competition was combined with Aradale Golf
Club.
David Johnston was declared Grange men’s
winner on his home turf with 41 points.
Geoff Elliott received runner up honours with 40
points on a countback from Peter Delley.
Kevin Mahney took home the spoils for Aradale
on 37 points with Peter Davis finishing second.
Jane Delley was a winner for the ladies’ Grange
team with 42 points, while Jo Cooper finished
runner-up with 39 points.
It was a very tight contest for Aradale ladies’
honours, with a three way countback needed. Lois
Dunne prevailed with 41 points, from Gaye Collins
Helmich, Alice Yanner and Ray Fisher were ball STAWELL - CKS Swifts reserves the best of the Swifts players in the
winners. have one last shot at the Horsham loss.
Kevin Mahney had a successful day, taking out District Football League grand Swifts under 17s finished their
nearest pin on men’s second hole, John Hosking final. 2011 season with a 12 points loss to
took home the booty on the men’s 14th. Jo Cooper The Baggies fell back into prelimi- Pimpinio in last week’s first semi
was on fire, taking out nearest pins on both ladies’ nary final calculations when they final.
second and 14th holes. lost out to Noradjuha Quantong in Swifts put themselves right in the
Tomorrow is a working bee at the Grange, last week’s second semi final clash. contest when they kicked six goals in
commencing at 8am, while Sunday is the IGA After being held scoreless in the the third quarter to hold a 14 points
27 hole ambrose open day commencing at 9am. opening term, it was always going to lead at the final change.
Members are asked to please being a plate. spell disaster for Swifts and in the It wasn’t enough and Pimpinio
end that is what it was - an 87 points headed home full of run to finish over
loss. the top of the Baggies.
Bradley Winton, Tim Hollis, Mark Josh Newton in another top game
St Clair and Jason Oosthuizen were finished with three goals for Swifts.
Farmersntradies
Concongella trained gelding Farmersntradies
has produced his eighth career win from just 37
race starts.
Trainer Owen Martin, refreshed from his recent
holiday, was thrilled with the win at Ballarat last
Saturday night.
The four-year old gelding was sent out a short
priced favourite and made it hard for the others to
catch him, reeling off some fast quarters.
The son of Blissfull Hall has a very impres-
sive race record with 37 starts, eight wins and 10
placings.
Bariki Organics
Stawell Harness Racing Club would like to Navarre coach Ben Martin sends his team into attack with a long handball
during last Saturday’s semi final clash against Harcourt. Martin and Navarre
thank Bariki Organics for their sponsorship of the step out in tomorrow’s preliminary final at Maryborough. PICTURE - MARK
Stawell Trackside Bistro Final last Wednesday.
McMILLAN.
Kaz Terada from Bariki Organics attended the
race meeting and talked to a number of trainers

and Alice Yanner, also on 41 points.
Peter Delley, Mal Cameron, Tom Cooper, Irene
about the benefits of his company’s products.
Bariki Organics has been established here in
Stawell (out at Pomonal Road) and all the products
are produced on-site.
Kaz has been working with a number of local
trainers, giving them advice on how to feed the
organic supplements to horses to improve their
overall health and performance.
Jilliby Master
Jilliby Master has an amazing race record for
trainer Peter Manning.
With just nine starts and three race wins, the
three-year old gelding has returned on average
$2950 from each run, which is a great effort.
Owned by the Craven family - who had a number
of very good horses over the years with Peter - this
one looks like he is going to go on and be very
special.
Stawell trial results
Stawell held three race trials last Sunday.
The first race only had four starters and they
were all from the Danny O’Brien and Peter
Manning stables.
It was Danny O’Brien trained Shezallaboutme
winning from his other horse Buffalo Magic.
The second race was taken out by the Peter
Manning-trained Christian Miracle, winning by
over three metres to Lombo Lucky Star.
The third race was a standing start and Troy
Raven got Bubble Art away, going on to win by over
25 metres from the Danny O’Brien-trained trotter
Windinyasoup.
Join the Circus wins again
Trotter Join the Circus produced a great run at
Stawell last week to win its fourth race in a row.
Owned and bred by Merv and Meg Butterworth,
Merv was at Stawell last week to see the win.
Prins charges to
cycling victory
STAWELL - Stawell cyclist Sean
Prins charged to his second victory
in three weeks last Sunday, using
his superior strength to blast past
the opposition and take out the
Grampians Vets Lake Lonsdale
handicap.
Early morning showers cleared
just in time for the start of the 60
kilometre race, with fine and mostly
sunny conditions prevailing for the
event. Light winds prevailed for the
first of two laps around the lake, and
limit riders Shirley Hetherington
and Trevor McDonald made the most
of their 26 minute start.
Twelve minute rider s Tony
Rathgeber and Damian Rabl, as well
as six minute riders Les Dunn, Stuart
King and Peter Parnaby also put in
good first laps, but the increasing
wind started to take its toll on all the
bunches soon into the second lap.
The scratch riders Sean Prins,
Peter and Crystal Wemyss, Rod
Hetherington and Dean Hayward set
themselves a very solid pace and,
with 15 kilometres to go, had the six
minute riders in their sights.
With ten kilometres to go, the
six minute riders Dunn, King and
Par naby picked up the twelve
minute riders Rathgeber and Rabl,
but soon afterwards turned onto the
Illawarra Road and into a solid wind,
conditions that favoured the chasing
scratch riders, who were gaining fast
despite having just lost Hayward
with a puncture.
Just before the turn onto the
Sandbar Road, with five kilometres
to go, all the bunches came together,
but then on the first hill along the
Sandbar Road, riders promptly
started dropping off again.
The charge to the line was straight
into a solid head wind.
Sean Prins, along with Peter and
Crystal Wemyss made a break for
the line, holding off Stuart King and
Peter Parnaby, with Prins overpow-
ering Peter Wemyss to take line
honours and fastest race time.
Crystal Wemyss was a close third.
Prins’ time was one hour thirty five
minutes and forty-three seconds.
Page 32 — Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Magpies swoop on Pumas

to claim grand final spot
By SAM SHALDERS

MDFL - Wickliffe Lake

Bolac has won through to its
first grand final in five years
after defeating Moyston
Willaura in the Mininera
a n d D i s t r i c t Fo o t b a l l
League preliminary final.
Awaiting the Magpies is a
well rested Tatyoon, in what
will be a repeat of the 2006
decider.
Wickliffe Lake Bolac coach
Adam Richardson, who was
kept up-to-date on his side’s
fortunes after being confined
to a hospital bed following a
dislocated jaw the previous
week, was thrilled with the
performance.
“It’s a massive achieve-
ment to exceed all
expectations, and the big
thing is the team is made
up of all local lads, which
is great for the town,”
Richardson said.
Saturday’s game was a
tale of two halves, with the
Pumas gaining ascendency
early, before Wickliffe Lake
Bolac came charging home
to record a 30-point win at
Glenthompson in wet and
windy conditions.
The match began with
Lachie Hamilton on fire
kicking the first three goals,
to have Moyston Willaura in
a comfortable position.
Things looked bleak for the
Magpies when Luke Duncan An entertaining ruck duel between Wickliffe Lake Bolac’s Brad Keilar and Moyston Willaura’s Daniel Guinane. The Magpies ran out 30 point winners over
felt the effects of a heavy the Pumas and have set up a mighty grand final clash with Tatyoon on Saturday in the Mininera and District Football League. Picture: PETER PICKERING
collision with Hamilton,
and was forced from the field Duncan bravely returned was quickly undone when the equalizer. John Daly plenty of first slow start after what has
with what looked like minor to the field and got his side an undisciplined act from In the closing stages of use. been a very successful
concussion. going with the first goal. Jim Dalkin saw a double the term Hamilton scored A long goal from backman season to date.
It took until the 20-minute The ball was beginning 50-metre penalty given, his fifth with a miracu- Michael Otto started a chain “It’s really only the second
mark of the first quarter for to be delivered into the gifting Richard Blackburn lous soccer goal from the of scoring for Wickliffe, and time we’ve had to fight back
the Magpies to record their Magpies’ forward 50 with a major and reducing the pocket to again lift his side, when Duncan kicked his this year, it (the slow start)
first through Martin Hall, more consistency, however margin to a single point. however two late goals to seventh major with a snap isn’t something that worries
but when Aaron Pianta the Pumas’ defence of Simon A pumped-up Hamilton Duncan saw Wickliffe Lake shot, victory was sealed. me, in fact it’s probably a
hacked a brilliant goal from Lockyer, John Vanderwaal kicked a massive goal on the Bolac wrestle back the lead Richardson praised good thing to know we can
mid-air just before the first and Paul McLoughin were half-time siren to extend by nine points. Duncan for coming back on come from four goals down
break, the margin was 24 quickly cutting off the flow. the lead back out to seven With their season on following the first quarter and win.
points and the Pumas looked They were well supported points, but the Pumas didn’t the line, both teams threw incident. “We have a couple of sore
well in control. by ruckman Daniel Guinane, return to the field with the caution to the wind, and by “ L u ke D u n c a n wa s blokes, but we aren’t too
“We were a bit flat early who was dropping back into same urgency following the the 15-minute mark of the actually knocked out for a concerned. I think getting
on, and weren’t playing like the hole and taking some break. final quarter scores were few minutes, so to be able to a run in a grand final, every-
we normally have been,” good defensive marks. After five minutes of locked at 73 apiece. come back and kick seven one will want to get up for it,
Richardson said. Moyston Willaura stead- tough football in a heavy Magpies’ ruckman Brad was a brilliant perform- so preparation on the track
Momentum shifted ied with a nice goal from down pour, Magpies’ full- Keilar started winning more ance,” he said. this week will be key.”
slightly at the beginning Leo Bell on a 45 degree forward Chris Keilar took a hitouts, which gave Aaron The coach wasn’t too
of the second quarter when angle, but that good work strong mark and converted Stewart, Joe Higgins and distressed with the Magpies’

Great Western look to the future

GREAT WESTERN - Great Western Football and Netball
Club is looking forward to the future as it prepares for inclu-
sion in the Mininera District Football League.
GWFNC is coming out of recess following MDFL’s
decision last Wednesday night to accept the club into the
competition.
The meeting was attended by MDFL presidents and
secretaries.
GWFNC president Rodney Matheson made an address to
the delegates and the league decided to take a vote immedi-
ately, instead of the initial plan which was going to be a vote
two weeks later.
The league decided to take the vote count on the night so
Great Western did not have to wait any longer, giving them
more time to prepare should they be successful.
GWFNC needed two-thirds majority - or eight clubs - in
favour of its inclusion into the Mininera League, and it
received a resounding vote.
During his presentation, Mr Matheson indicated to the
meeting that there was a great deal of passion in the Great
Western community for the club to come out of recess and
commence playing in the Mininera League.
MDFL president David Watson said Great Western’s
inclusion not only benefits the Mininera League, but also
the town of Great Western.
“We’re thrilled to be able to bring football and netball
back into the community,” he said.
It has been a long road to recovery for Great Western.
The club went into recess last season after it failed in its
previous bid to join the Mininera League from Horsham
District Football League.
GWFNC had to wait on a decision by the Victorian
Country Football League as to whether it could re-apply
to join MDFL.
Great Western has since started to re-build, with 40 people
joining the new-look committee.
Mr Matheson informed the meeting that no decision
had been made on which year the club could enter into
the competition and that this decision would be made at
a meeting of the GWFNC members, which was held on
Sunday.
In his welcoming statement to the Great Western
Football and Netball Club, Mr Watson stated that the
league’s preference would be for the GWFNC to commence
in the 2012 season.
However this was left to the GWFNC members to decide.
Mr Watson and his senior vice president Ruth Brain
attended Sunday’s meeting, where they were expected
to welcome the committee into MDFL and explain the
league’s structure.
“(By being in attendance) it creates an environment of
knowing exactly where they’re going,” Mr Watson said.
He will be regularly attending Great Western committee
meetings.
The Victorian Country Football League board will meet
on September 30 to formalise the decision
 Friday, September 16, 2011 — Page 55

Great Western to play in 2012

G R E AT W E S T E R N - Th e
decision has been made with Great
Western Football and Netball Club
set to enter the Mininera District
Football League in season 2012.
A meetin g, which 44 club
members plus MDFL officials
attended, was held on Sunday
where an overwhelming majority
voted for the club to come out of
recess and enter season 2012.
Great Western Football and
Netball Club president Rodney
Matheson described the result as
“very positive.”
“A lot of hard work has been done
(to get to this stage),” he said.
The next four months will prove
challenging for the club as they
now must find a coach and recruit
players.
However this should be no
problem, with Mr Matheson saying
they have had expressions of inter-
est in the coaching position and
playing in the new-look team.
“There are people out there
willing to have a go,” he said.
Mr Matheson presented last
week at a meeting which was
attended by all MDFL presidents
and secretaries.
It was an end-of season review,
with Great Western the topic of
most importance.
He spoke for 15 minutes, and
then answered questions from the
floor.
After Mr Matheson’s presenta-
tion, the league went to a vote to
decide if GWFNC should join the
Mininera League.
The result was a resounding
victory for Great Western.
Mr Matheson paid tribute to the
previous board who had fought the
year before for Great Western to
enter the MDFL.
“The hard work was done the
year before with Dale Hurley
and the previous committee,” Mr
Matheson said.
“I just reiterated a few points.”
Mr Matheson spoke of the
passion in the Great Western
community to have the GWFNC
come out of recess and be included
in the Mininera League.
“We want to play footy again,
get the team out there and help get
the community out on a Saturday
afternoon,” he said.
Victorian Country Football
League will be holding a board
meeting on September 30, with the
decision to include Great Western
set to be formalised.
Any interested football or
netball players wishing to join the
reformed Great Western club for
the 2012 season will be made most
welcome are asked to contact
president, Rodney Matheson on
0419 390 499.

Reserves hold Daniel Parkin wins

best and fairest
flicker of hope
STAWELL - Stawell reserves
continue to hold that flicker of hope
in chase for their fifth consecu-
tive Wimmera Football League
premiership.
A win in last Sunday’s first semi
final sees the reserves move through
to this Sunday’s preliminary final
clash at the Horsham City Oval.
A qualifying final loss to Horsham
saw Stawell, playing off in the cut
throat first semi final against Nhill.
In the final home and away clash
of the season Stawell had lost out to
Nhill by 53 points.
This time it was finals time and
Stawell jumped out of the blocks and
set up a 24 points quarter time lead.
This set the pattern of the match
as from this point on Nhill could not
get into the game and at the end of
the third quarter had just one goal on
the scoreboard.
Nhill did do most of the scoring in
the final term, but this did little to
stop Stawell chalking up a 24 points
win.
Jamie Solyom dominated up
forward and finished the game with
seven of Stawell’s nine goals, while
Swifts forward Haydn Philllips was surrounded by Kalkee opponents, but he
was looking to break into the clear in last Saturday’s HDFL preliminary clash
at Horsham.
James Devery, Joel Freeland, Jarryd
Harrison and Adam Clayton, led the
way around the ground.
After finishing on top of the ladder
Stawell’s 17 and unders now find
themselves in Sunday’s knock out
preliminary final.
Stawell struggled for most of the
game in their second semi final clash
against Minyip-Murtoa and despite
spinning into action in the final term
lost out by three points.
David Morris, Tom O’Neill with his
three goals, Jamie Bach, Ash deClif-
ford and Jackson Dark were Stawell’s
better players in the loss.
Stawell will clash with Ararat in
Sunday’s preliminary final.
The last time these two teams met
Ararat walked away with a big win,
but with Stawell having a number
of players returning after missing
that clash, Stawell will be looking
to reverse the outcome and move
through to the grand final.
In Sunday’s senior preliminary
final Warrack Eagles, after a big
loss to the Horsham Demons in the
second semi final will clash with the
Horsham Saints
PICTURE - MARK McMILLAN.
MCDFNL - Navarre’s Daniel Parkin has taken
out the 2011 Maryborough Castlemaine District
Football and Netball League best and fairest
award.
Assistant coach Parkin took home the Barry
Powell Medal, finishing with 28 votes.
He has had a fantastic year and was rewarded for
his hardness at the ball.
Injuries have struck Parkin down along the way,
making the win even more special.
He played 15 games for the year, scoring 27 goals
which includes a six-goal haul against Campbell’s
Creek in round eight.
Navarre coach Ben Martin finished equal third
in the senior vote count with 19 votes.
Navarre made it a winning double, with Barry
Fletcher taking home the reserves best and fairest
award.
Fletcher finished with 20 votes for the season.
2011 Senior Grade MCDNFL Best and Fairest vote count - top
4: D Parkin, Navarre, 28 votes (winner); J McNamee, Dunolly,
23; B Martin, Navarre, 19; S Ross, Natte Bealiba, 19; C Robbins,
Lexton, 18.
2011 Reserves Grade MCDFNL Best and Fairest vote count
- top 3: B Fletcher, Navarre, 20 votes (winner); K West, Harcourt,
MCDFL best and fairest winner - Navarre’s Daniel
18; D Brady, Natte Bealiba, 13; C Kelly, Maldon, 13; D Whitnall, M/ Parkin.
Rovers, 13.
Angling club members
open new season
GLENORCHY - The Glenorchy/ prolonged drought causing many folded many years ago and not
Lubeck Angling Club season lakes and rivers to dry up. long after, Lubeck came into
kicked off at the weekend with Fish have been hard to catch being.
an open water event. due to low water levels. Most competitions at the time
Members took to the Wimmera This has stretched angling were held in the Wimmera River
River and Taylor’s Lake, catch- club members’ patience, however and Dunmunkle Creek.
ing a lot of small fish. the club has been fortunate
Only two redfin were weighed After a period of 20 years or so,
enough to have enough people
(both caught in the Wimmera). the current secretary decided to
to fill events and office-bearer
call it a day.
The 2011 season has kicked roles.
off successfully in comparison The club is always looking His replacement came from
to last year, when the day was for new members and if you are Glenorchy (along with most
cancelled due to September interested in having a good day members) so it was decided to
floods in and around Glenorchy. out with family or just getting rename the club Glenorchy/
Due to the floods, there is water away for the day, come and join Lubeck so as to keep life members
back in the region’s rivers and the Glenorchy/Lubeck club for in touch with the club.
lakes with fishing set to improve the fishing run held every three The club (incorporated in 1986)
over the coming months. weeks in an informal, relaxed has been going for about 60 years
Times have been tough for atmosphere. and hopes for another successful
fishing clubs, with a period of The Glenorchy Angling Club fishing season.

Stawell Harness Racing

Club at Tabcorp Park
Mother and son
Friday October 21st
Tickets $75 per person
combine to win
STAWELL - Mother and son Kaye Men’s nearest pins went to John
and Mathew Skinner combined with Hosking on the second hole, Ted Hall
1225670

Includes: Phil Iles and Michael Waters to win
the Fisher’s IGA Grange Golf Club
• 3 Course Meal four-person ambrose (any combina-
• Beer, Wine and Softdrink tion) competition.
The Stawell quartet shot a score
• Luxury Coach Travel of 91, fifteen under par, to receive
• VIP Gold Members $60
scratch honours.
Trevor Quar rell, alon g with
Come and enjoy a night of fun husband and wife Joanne and Allan
Cooper and Nathan McConnell from
at this premier venue Horsham were runner-up three shots
behind on 94.
Buses leasve at 3.30pm from Taberet carpark
Handicap winners were Roger
Deposit of $30 per person to be payed by 7th October
Parris, Bill Flack, Anthony Jones
and Ray Excel with 96-12 3⁄5-83 2⁄5.
Phone 5358 1237 for Runner up honours for the handi-
cap event went to Greg O’Callaghan,
Bookings and Enquiries Andrew McKinnon, Mal Elliott and
Mal Cameron with 98-13 2⁄5-84 3⁄5.
(seventh), Geoff Hardy took home
the spoils on the ninth, Barry Colyer
saluted on the tenth and Mathew
Skinner continued his winning form,
taking out the men’s 14th hole.
There were two ladies nearest the
pin winners for the day with Jane
Delley taking home the spoils on the
second and ninth holes, and Kellie
Gehan saluting on both the seventh
and 14th.
There were no winners on the
ladies’ 10th hole.
Tomorrow is club day, noon start.
Sunday’s event is the Grainger-
O’Neill stableford aggregate, 11.30am
start.