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American talent joins Steelers team By Ben Triandafillou THE Westernport Lady Steelers have finalised their squad after recruiting an exciting American talent, Eboni Ross, as well as another two players for their upcoming 2017 Big V Season. The Steelers have landed their biggest signing for 2017 with the addition of Eboni Ross from Shaw University/ North Carolina A&T. Renowned for her defensive prowess in the American Collegiate system, Eboni, who stands at an imposing 6’3”, has plenty of experience playing professionally in Turkey as well as having a very successful Collegiate career. A true team player, Ross is looking forward to the season ahead and will add a
much-needed presence in the paint that the Steelers currently lack. “She adds the one thing we’ve been lacking, which is a serious interior presence,” coach Mark Holman said. “We have speed and length everywhere else, but Eboni will bring us an ‘X factor’ when she’s out there, that few other teams have the luxury of. The entire team is looking forward to having her here.” Eboni arrived in Melbourne last Wednesday (22 February) and began training with the team on Thursday night. “I am excited to be joining the program. This upcoming season I hope to reach the playoffs and have an opportunity to get a championship that I’ve never won,” Ross said.
“My ability and passion as a post player have always been my assets. Most times I look for my teammates before I look for my own offence. I am a very unselfish player and love making plays for my teammates. “I would hope to bring some more experience, dominance and toughness to the team. And I would hope my new teammates will help me develop even more as a player because there is always room for improvement. Most importantly I hope to have an amazingly, enjoyable and successful season.” The promising Steelers line-up will also have two local women, Dallas McGuire and Tamara Hewish, joining the roster.
McGuire will be making a return to her local club after spending several years out of the game overseas in America and will provide a solid pass first, point guard for the Steelers. Whilst Hewish, a former Chelsea Gulls player, was welcomed to her new club at the Steelers and with her perimeter shooting and quick-running game will be a major help to the team. Tamara has played both seniors and participated in the Youth League competition, where her athleticism and scoring touch has been troublesome for the opposition. With the addition of their young talent, the highly anticipated Steelers women’s team is set for a bright season with their now complete roster.
Eboni Ross
Godolphin targets Mornington Cup run By Ben Triandafillou THE 2017 Ladbrokes Mornington Cup will see an international runner for the first time as the highly-respected Godolphin trainer, Charlie Appleby, brings the talented Gold Trail down-under in an attempt to gain exemption from the Caulfield Cup ballot. Following an incredibly successful Melbourne Spring Carnival with his team of thoroughbreds, including the likes of Oceanographer, Qewy, Scottish and Francis Of Assisi, Appleby is determined to continue his success’ in Australian racing with his team over the Autumn Racing Carnival. Gold Trail will be targeting the Mornington Cup on Saturday 25 March as the race provides the winner with an automatic entrance into the Group One Caulfield Cup which will be run in October.
The Canterbury Quarantine stables in New South Wales will be swamped in Royal Godolphin Blue as the Newmarket trainer sends out his three international runners, Penglai Pavilion, Polarisation and Gold Trail before heading to Mornington. “There are two more weeks in quarantine in Dubai then they’ll head to Canterbury for two weeks and then [Gold Trail will] head to Melbourne for the main target in the Mornington Cup,” Appleby said. International horse scout Leigh Jordon is excited about the prospect of Charlie Appleby’s Gold Trail entering the Mornington Cup and adding to the atmosphere. “I think if he’s running there it’ll be a big day for Mornington. He’ll be the first international to run in the Morning-
ton Cup and you’d think it would bring with it more publicity for the event which hopefully turns into more people coming through the gates.” “[Gold Trail] may come to Werribee quarantine for a short period if he arrives early but at the moment he’s in quarantine at Dubai with the other two horses. He flies out to Sydney around 7 March.” Appleby’s other two horses, Polarisation and Penglai Pavilion, will be targeting the Sydney Cup and should flourish on the softer surface in Sydney. Assistant trainer, James Ferguson, will be overseeing the horses in Australia with a small team to represent the Godolphin Racing Stables. It’s set to be an intriguing Mornington Cup with the likelihood of the international runner, Gold Trail, running in hopes to secure a spot for the spring.
Godolphin
Ex-Hawk to help Dolphins back to VFL By Ben Triandafillou THE Frankston Dolphins have appointed the highly-respected exHawthorn player, Gary Buckenara, as their new general manager to help gain re-entry back into the VFL for 2018. Ending their 51-year association with the competition, the Frankston Dolphins were removed from the VFL due to grave financial issues at the end of last year. Buckenara brings his extensive experience in football to the Dolphins, having recently spent a short period of time as a Hawthorn recruiter and
played a crucial role in the club’s three-year premiership streak. “Gary will bring his vast knowledge of the football industry and he will also give the profile of the club a huge boost with his contacts in football and in business,” Frankston Football Club operations manager Tina Bremert said. “Already in his short time at the club we have noticed so much positivity and energy towards the Frankston Dolphins and the quest to get their VFL license back for the 2018 season.” Buckenara said club officials were
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diligently working through AFL Victoria’s conditions that would enable the Dolphins to be reinstated. “We have got criteria that we need to show AFL Victoria that we have ticked off and we apply to them on the 30th of June 2017 and a decision will be forthcoming from them late July-early August,” Ms Bremert said. Buckenara is asking people to join and become members to assist in building a stronger membership culture that the club has recently lacked. “One thing I know from my days at Hawthorn is that no one person can do it alone. We want the community
to stand with us and support our work to rebuild the club,” Buckenara said. “One of my first tasks is to get supporters and sponsors involved and to build a membership culture. I’m encouraging everyone to go to the club website and buy a 2017 membership package. “It’s only $50 and gives people a chance to be a part of history and help get the Dolphins back in the VFL. “We had 3245 people sign a ‘Stand with the Dolphins’ petition in late 2016 and now is the time to turn that support into the more tangible and real substance of club membership.”
Gary Buckenara
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