wheel
All members of Inner Wheel Australia are immensely proud of Kay Morland as she takes another significant step toward becoming President of International Inner Wheel.
On Saturday, 7 June, guests from across Australia and around the world gathered at the Pink Hill Hotel in Beaconsfield for a truly memorable evening to celebrate Kay Morland’s appointment as International Inner Wheel President.
Hosted by the Inner Wheel Club of Berwick, the Stepping Up Celebration Dinner recognised Kay’s extraordinary service and marked her transition into the prestigious international leadership role.
Arrest after chase
Dandenong.
Officers were on patrol when they attempted to intercept a Ford station wagon on Camms Road at about 3.20am on June 11.
The Ford turned off at the Police Road exit a short time later, before colliding with a patient transport van that was stopped at traffic lights.
The occupants of the van were not injured, and there were no patients on board at the time.
It is understood the Ford failed to stop on police direction and continued travelling north along Evans Road. With the assistance of the Air Wing, officers followed the Ford through Thompsons Road, before turning onto Eastlink and then continuing to the Monash Freeway.
Officers continued following the Ford to Blackmore Street in Dandenong North, where it came to a stop.
The sole occupant and driver of the vehicle attempted to flee on foot, before he was swiftly arrested.
The Ford was searched, and officers located and seized an amount of drugs and weapons.
The 33-year-old Hampton Park man was interviewed and has since been charged with a number of offences including dangerous driving whilst pursued by police, reckless conduct endangering life, reckless damage and expose emergency vehicle.
He was remanded to appear before Dandenong Magistrates’ Court at a later date.
Kate Terlic, Kay Morland, Maria McEwan and Kate Luxford. (Supplied)
Top honours for locals
By Corey Everitt, Afraa Kori and Ethan Benedicto
The King’s Birthday Honours this year saw a sweep of local recipients, acknowledged for their dedication to teaching, veterans’ affairs, and community leadership.
Pakenham ex-servicemen Colin Tidball, Harkaway teacher Helen Comport and Beaconsfield couple Ann and Graeme Taylor each received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM); though having distinct resumes of service, they are all united in many years of supporting veterans.
Colin Tidbal, 81, received a Medal of the Order of Australia this King’s Birthday in recognition of his achievements as a serviceman, ex-serviceman, legatee, volunteer firefighter and mayor.
“I was surprised, elated, embarrassed, but it is nice to be recognised in that situation because you don’t really go out to do these things expecting to get a medal,” he said.
At the age of 17, he joined the Royal Australian Navy. He served in many vessels and locations, from aircraft carriers, destroyers to bases on land. The most fateful would be the HMAS Voyager, which in 1964 collided with the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne, where 82 would die - the worst peacetime disaster in Australian military history.
Colin was one of few on the deck that fateful night. He recalls hanging from the railing of the ship as it tipped to the side on impact before splitting in half.
“I could see the bow of the ship sticking out of the water like a sort of barrel or something, not realising that it was part of the ship,” he recounted.
Colin was one of the first to deploy the life rafts and would be one of the last to depart.
Leaving the Navy months after the disaster, Colin would lead a civilian life dedicated to supporting ex-serviceman, their families and his community.
He would serve as president of the HMAS Voyager Survivors Association, vice-president of Berwick sub-branch of the RSL, and mayor of Knox City Council, alongside long-term roles as a firefighter and legatee.
Beaconsfield’s power couple, Ann and Graeme Taylor, received an OAM each for their longstanding and wide-ranging contributions to their local community.
“I am humbled and honoured to receive this award along with my husband Graeme,” Ann said. “This award is also for all the others who have worked with us and contributed to making Beaconsfield such a special town.”
Ann and Graeme have led the Beaconsfield Progress Association for over a decade, serving as secretary and president, respectively.
They have been instrumental in publishing the Beaconsfield Banner, leading the local Anzac Day service, the development of the Beaconsfield Digital War Memorial and the founding of the Beaconsfield Community Bank.
Ann and Graeme worked closely with Cardinia Shire to help bring a number of important community projects to life. They were instrumental in the upgrade of Beaconsfield Park, ensuring the historic park sign was carefully restored and reinstated. Their efforts extended to researching and identifying the servicemen commemorated in the Beaconsfield Avenue of Honour for WWI,
with trees planted along the Old Highway toward Berwick. With support from a Veterans Affairs grant, they facilitated the installation of bronze plaques bearing the names of 65 servicemen and produced a commemorative booklet to honour their service.
They have also maintained the traditions of the Iris Lewis Writing Competition and the beloved Carols by the Creek Christmas event.
“We’ve returned over a million dollars of our profits back to the community through grants, sponsorships, and donations—mostly to not-forprofit organisations, including sporting clubs and similar groups,” Graeme said.
“When the time comes for us to retire from
the BPA, some of the things that were established should be kept going. Hopefully, we leave things better than we found them.”
Helen Comport “was a bit shocked” to receive her medal for founding the veteran’s service Quilts of Valour, her service to the Inner Wheel Club of Berwick and her long years of teaching at Beaconhills, Haileybury and St Margaret’s.
“This is a recognition of what someone does, because there are a lot of people out there who do a lot of good things and help others,” Helen said.
“But you know, I didn’t really expect any recognition for it, I get my reward from being able to help and give to others.”
She today serves as a historian and media ad-
ministrator for Inner Wheel. She served as president in 2019-2020.
In 2022, she received a Margarette Golding award from Inner Wheel Australia for highly commendable service to the community. Her OAM further acknowledges her exceptional dedication.
“It’s just a lovely thing really, helping people out,” Helen said.
“I think, if we all just gave one little thing each day, even a smile to someone, the world would be a better place.
“If people just take a bit of a step back and think, maybe that person’s having a bad day, if I just smile, it might just help.”
Helen Louise Comport OAM. (Ethan Benedicto: 483187)
Colin Tidball OAM with a mock medal given to him by a local in appreciation. (Rob Carew: 483014)
Graeme and Ann Taylor. (Stewart Chamber: 482882)
Love pushing her forward
By Ethan Benedicto
Tests, diagnoses, treatments - a rare appendix cancer has been the harrowing battle that Katherine Berecic has been fighting, but through grit, hope and determination, is one she is looking to win.
When she was 31 years old, Kat underwent what was meant to be a routine surgery for appendicitis.
It was discovered then, however, that her appendix had burst, and doctors told her in 2021 that the mucous-producing tumour cells had spread through her abdomen.
“It was like a cancer bomb going off in my belly,” Kat told Star News in 2022.
Halfway through 2025, Kat’s mettle has been tested, but it has not waned.
She has undergone multiple lengthy surgeries, including heated chemotherapy poured directly into her abdomen, 100 rounds of traditional chemotherapy, and a trip to Japan for adoptive cell therapy - a treatment that has kept her cancer stable for two years.
In the second half of 2024, it again began to spread, prompting another 12-hour surgery in January of 2025.
There is no calm in Kat’s waters; initial treatment for her trip to Japan saw her exhaust her Super, selling her home, and sourcing funds through crowdfunding.
Building on her self-determination, it was the amount of encouragement and support that she received, not just from her family, but from strangers who had come across her story.
“It was just the will to keep on living; I’m a pretty shy person, and so having to put myself out there was the most difficult thing you could ever imagine,” she said.
“But, I knew that it was my only option, that, if I wasn’t able to raise money for these treatments, I was going to die.
“So it was either become vulnerable and put yourself out there, or die, and I know it sounds harsh, but those were my options.”
At the time of writing, Kat’s GoFundMe page is sitting at $200,503, just over halfway to the needed $400,000, and $59,750 to the goal of $250,000 on Rare Cancers Australia, for treatments in the United States, Germany and Japan.
Aside from her desire to keep on living, it’s simply love, love that serves as the fuel for her engine.
“I didn’t know my [initial] prognosis, because I never wanted to know,” Kat said.
“But based on others who have had this cancer, doctors have said I’m doing really well, that I’m truly an outlier.
“They told me to keep doing what I’m doing because it’s clearly working,” she said.
Life for Kat had taken a rather drastic turn in the last four years, where if the days were not filled with treatments and appointments, they were instead with endless hours of research for treatments available around the globe.
Laughing for seemingly sounding like a broken record, and for the lack of a better word, Kat said that there is no escaping the fact that it was, and is, nothing but love that is pushing her to keep going forward.
This is especially the case when it comes to Kat’s mental fortitude; there is no questioning her physical prowess, the countless treatments and surgeries she has undergone are a testimony to that.
However, Kat has recognised “how important the mind is in recovery”.
“Once you start going downhill mentally, it’s a really slippery slope that I won’t be able to get back from.
“But honestly, I believed that from day one, I’ve been surrounded by so much love, and just so much support.
“You can see that on the GoFundMe page and my Instagram, I’m constantly showered in love, and I truly, truly believe that that’s what’s gotten me through.
“I feel like these people have given me so much that I owe it to them to do the absolute best that I can do.”
Currently, Kat is self-funding an immunotherapy drug that costs $3000 per three weeks, which would normally be PBS funded for more common cancers.
After speaking to doctors and researchers from around the world, her options moving forward include histotripsy, a recent breakthrough
As she currently funds her immunotherapy drug treatment, her hopes remain high for the next rounds of overseas therapies.
in cancer treatment that was recently approved in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration in 2023.
Since not widely available, this would see Kat travelling States-bound to De Kevin Burns, a leading interventional radiologist who has the potential to eradicate the liver tumour in Kat’s arteries.
Transarterial chemoembolisation, or TACE for short, is another option, serving as a targeted treatment that delivers chemo directly into the tumour to kill or stop it from moving, and while a version exists here in Australia, a more developed treatment plan is possible in Germany.
The third option is dendritic cell therapy in Japan, which has since progressed significantly
after her last visit.
Recalling the time when Kat and her family decided to do crowdfunding for the initial trip to Japan, she said that she was just “blown away”.
“I was just overwhelmed, and it was the most beautiful, beautiful feeling, it just felt like everyone had my back,” she said.
Having been diagnosed in 2021, there is no question that the ‘norm’ in Kat’s life has been uprooted, and, while she sees herself as mostly a positive person, there are times when it simply catches up to her.
“It’s those times where the fear sets in and the sadness, just, it just comes around, you know?” she said.
“But then again, I get pulled out of that trance so quickly because there is just so much love around me.
“I’m also just so hopeful of those treatments, and I have so much confidence in them because of the research that I’ve done, the people around me, and the other patients who I’ve spoken to who have been on death’s door but had amazing results.
“I have that confidence, and even if they don’t work, there’s going to be something else; there are always options.”
For more information on Kat’s GoFundMe page, visit www.gofundme.com/f/for-our-girlkat?lang=en_US
Katherine Berecic is all smiles, as she told Star News that it was the support and love from family, friends and others that has kept her going. (Supplied)
Kat under treatment during one of her many visits and trips.
Kay Morland in top role
By Afraa Kori
All members of Inner Wheel Australia are immensely proud of Kay Morland as she takes another significant step toward becoming President of International Inner Wheel.
On Saturday, 7 June, guests from across Australia and around the world gathered at the Pink Hill Hotel in Beaconsfield for a truly memorable evening to celebrate Kay Morland’s appointment as International Inner Wheel President.
Hosted by the Inner Wheel Club of Berwick, the Stepping Up Celebration Dinner recognised Kay’s extraordinary service and marked her transition into the prestigious international leadership role.
Members from across Australia, New Zealand, and even a guest from India gathered in Kay’s home district (A62) to celebrate this momentous occasion before she departs for the UK for the official Changeover.
The evening opened with a tribute from local Member of the Victorian Parliament and Leader of the Opposition, Brad Battin, who acknowledged Kay’s longstanding commitment to community service.
Distinguished Inner Wheel members shared heartfelt messages and reflections, including our own Carole Buchanan, who served as International President 25 years ago.
Carole offered Kay valuable insights into the exciting, busy, and deeply rewarding journey that lies ahead.
2025FusionFestival
Film screening and Q&A with Barat Ali Batoor
Join us in celebrating our vibrant multicultural community at the Fusion Festival, a FREE event open to everyone.
The festival will be followed by a screening of multiaward-winning photographer and filmmaker Barat Ali Batoor’s acclaimed full-length documentary, ‘Batoor: A Refugee Journey’ at 6.30pm. Following the screening, a Q&A session with Barat will take place. Due to the mature themes present in Batoor’s film this event is advised for mature audiences aged 18 years and over. Bookings are required for this event and can be made via cardinia.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/149346
The 2025 Fusion Festival will take place on Friday 20 June from 3.30pm to 6pm at the Cardinia Cultural Centre, Pakenham. The film screening of ‘Batoor: A Refugee Journey’ will commence from 6.30pm.
Kay was inducted into the Inner Wheel Club of Berwick in 1994 and went on to serve as Club President in 1999–2000 and again in 2020–2021.
Over the years, she has held numerous leadership roles, including District A62 Chairman and President of Inner Wheel Australia.
Kay will be only the second Victorian to hold the prestigious position of International Inner Wheel President since the organisation was founded by Margarette Golding in 1924 in England.
Inner Wheel now spans more than 100 countries, with over 120,000 members in 4,200 clubs.
The only other Victorian to serve in this role was our Inner Wheel Club of Berwick member Carole
Buchanan-Smith, 25 years ago.
Helen Comport OAM, former president and current media officer said “Kay’s dedication to service and her passion for volunteering are truly inspiring. We wish her a rewarding, exciting, and successful year ahead.”
The night concluded with music and dancing, thanks to an energetic performance by Honey Bee & the Stingers.
“A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped organise and contribute to the success of this special evening,” the organising committee shared on social media.
“We extend our best wishes to Kay for a fulfilling and inspiring year as International Inner Wheel President.”
Kate Luxford and Kate Terlic.
Brad Battin with his wife.
Marcia Rook, Marlene Bishop, Jane Moore and Alwynne Williams.
Members of Inner Wheel Club of Bairnsdale.
Gary Luxford, Merna Stella and Clive Romp.
Ross and her husband Allan.
Rotary Club members.
Arthur Ellis and Paul Devine.
Living life after chemo
By Tracey Matthies
Breast cancer never made me sick, but the treatment certainly did.
My cancer is gone but now I’m left living with the aftermath of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery and radiation because cancer isn’t always over when it’s gone and when the treatment ends.
I was diagnosed with a non-specific type, HER2 positive, grade three (fast growing) tumour in my left breast at about 10.30am on Thursday 19 December, 2023. Ladies – just get your mammograms. My tumour was only detected and diagnosed by a regular BreastScreen.
What followed was a flood of information and a maelstrom of tests, treatments and side-effects until I was finally told I was NED – No Evidence of Disease about 13 months later.
My official Health Record for that period shows 24 diagnostic imaging reports, including CT scans, with and without nuclear medicine, bone studies, PET scans, fluoroscopies, a lymphoscintigraphy (sentinel lymph node mapping to check for any spread of the cancer), ultrasounds, echocardiograms and even ordinary, bog-standard x-rays.
There were also 36 pathology reports. I was on a first name basis with the blood collectors.
But that’s a rather dry summary of three different types of chemotherapy, and the innumerable side effects of rashes, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue and even just the pain caused by breathing on the back of my hands at times, not to mention all the medications to deal with those side effects.
Forget about hospital in the home. I had my own pharmacy in the home, and we hit the PBS threshold much earlier that year than ever before!
There were countless GP appointments, surgery to place a port for ease of treatment and another for a lumpectomy, not to mention three emergency department admissions along the way.
As well as my amazing GP who was there whenever I needed him - just as he promised immediately after my diagnosis - my medical team exploded to include a medical oncologist, breast surgeon, radiation oncologist, heart specialist, lung specialist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, oncology nurses, radiation techs and nurses, McGrath BreastCare Nurse, and lymphoedema nurse.
My daily life was driven by medical administration, making and attending appointments, treatments, check ups, tests, tests and more tests.
But it wasn’t all doom and gloom.
Fortunately, I found my support community quickly. As well as my husband and our sons, we had other family members and some very close friends who were, and still are, there with us. From phone calls and visits to dropping off meals, they held us up in the tough times.
I was also fortunate enough to have wonderful support from my employer, the Star News Group. They immediately made it possible for me to work from home and always encouraged me to take the time I needed when I wasn’t well enough to work.
It’s certainly not over for me.
Before my own experience I didn’t know that cancer treatment could leave permanent after-effects. I thought I would just go through the treatment and then go back to life as it was before.
A lot of women in the Facebook support group get frustrated when people in their lives think they should be back to the person they were before cancer.
Most of us live with ongoing fatigue, tiredness beyond tired. We plan our days and weeks to avoid overdoing it because we know how hard that fatigue will hit us.
I have to take hormone blockers for 10 years because my type of cancer, HER-2 positive, feeds on oestrogen, and hormone blockers can have side effects. I’ve already been switched to a second type of hormone blocker because the first one caused such severe joint pain that I could barely walk.
Blocking hormones affects bone density, so for the next couple of years I have to have infusions every six months to build up my bone density. And scans to check they are working.
But there’s more.
It’s called peripheral neuropathy, basically nerve damage caused by chemotherapy, the very thing saving my life.
It started with tingling fingers and toes and quickly turned into numb hands, fingers and feet. I was dropping things because I couldn’t feel them to grip properly.
Walking took all my concentration. I couldn’t get my car keys out of my pocket and walk at the same time. I stumbled on uneven ground.
Then I had a couple of falls because my feet weren’t feeling the ground properly.
That’s when my medical oncologist called a halt to the chemo. She said the risk of permanent damage was greater than the benefit of more chemo.
Unfortunately, the damage had been done, and she now believes my neuropathy is permanent. So don’t be surprised when you see me moving slowly, sometimes with a walking stick. As if that wasn’t enough, I also have a persistent nighttime cough so bad that it leads to vomiting most nights.
A Facebook support group for Australian women with breast cancer let me know I wasn’t the only person going through whatever that day’s experience was. There are 58 people diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia every day so someone else out there has been through it before me.
And the cancer community on X (formerly Twitter) was a bastion of support from people around the world where we got so close that I cried when two of my X friends died.
From day one I was assured that this was a beatable cancer, so I had a good headspace about my outcome.
Sure, I lost my hair to chemo, but it grew back.
In fact, it was just long enough at the time of my twin granddaughters’ fifth birthday party to have their initials shaved into the sides of my head. Yeah, I was the cool grandma that day.
But cancer isn’t necessarily over when it’s gone and when the treatment ends.
My lung specialist believes it’s also permanent damage caused by radiation – another factor in saving my life. I’m going through testing to rule out other possible causes, but it seems like this is just one more thing I will just have to live with.
Am I grateful my cancer was detected early and successfully treated?
Absolutely!
Would I do anything differently if my cancer returns?
No, I would still follow the advice of the experts who have got me through this time. I might ask more questions about side effects and permanent after-effects, but I’d still rather be alive.
What I would ask is that the broader community be aware that the end of treatment isn’t necessarily the end of the effects for many people. Don’t be surprised when they have a rough day or week, when they’re frustrated that they will never be the person they were before cancer.
Just be there for them, with us.
Tracey had just enough hair regrowth following chemotherapy to be the ‘cool grandma’ for her twin granddaughters’ fifth birthday party. She had S for Sophie shaved on one side of her head and L for Lily on the other.
Tracey Matthies’ hands were so sore due to side effects that even breathing on them hurt.
Tracey Matthies was immunocompromised during treatment and had to protect herself from possible infection on an outing with husband, Colin.
Star News editorial coordinator Tracey Matthies underwent chemotherapy to treat her breast cancer. (Supplied)
Giving back to community
By Ethan Benedicto
Beginning in late May of this year, the Berwick Opportunity Shop on the corner of High Street has been on a donation spree, with charitable offerings from local CFA units to childcare services in the City of Casey.
The donations are an annual tradition, originally intended for CFA, SES, and other emergency services, but have since expanded to include other community-based services as well throughout the years.
The volunteer group’s president, Margret, said that they donate to almost 50 organisations throughout Casey, but also neighbouring LGAs such as Cardinia, and other areas in the hills.
When asked how it all began, Margaret said that “it was just from people who donated to us, and they realised that we donate all of it straight back to the community again”.
For Dawn, who is the group’s treasurer, said that “we feel good exactly because we give back to the community”.
Both Margaret and Dawn have been with the volunteer group for a little over 15 years, many other members along the same time frame, and some, even longer.
“We get a lot of support from the community with donations, and as mentioned before, I think it’s because they realise that it goes right back to them,” Margaret said.
“And I think this kind of thing, giving back, it’s important these days, particularly with how things are, how expensive they can get - some people just find it hard.”
The donations began up north, with a cheque handed to Captain David Van Loon from the Menzies Creek CFA, with the following on 30 May to the St John of God hospital’s oncology wing, palliative care ward and the recovery trauma unit.
The first day of June marked a trip to Macclesfield CFA to present a donation cheque, then on the following day was a visit to the Wild Days Wildlife Shelter, a family-run volunteer group caring for animal welfare.
The Casey North Community Information and Support Service (CNCISS) was also a recipient, followed by a direct donation to the CFA’s Rehabilitation Support Unit.
Other branches in Casey were also shown some love, from the Hallam CFA, Beaconsfield CFA, Clyde CFA and the nearby Berwick CFA.
Dawn, reflecting on the struggles that many of their customers and families they know of face, emphasised the importance on how their donation’s expansion has also included the local Narre Warren Transit Soup Kitchen and Food Support, and other similar food drives in Casey, as well as community groups that tackle trauma and domestic violence.
“And with the prices, we try to do the best we can here, and it’s usually something everyone can buy,” Dawn said.
In the future, the volunteers at Berwick Op Shop are looking to continue the donation tradition in the coming years, fuelling the community spirit of nourishment and giving back to the people.
From left to right: David, Rita, Dawn, Margaret and Pam, volunteers of the Berwick Opportunity Shop and some of the many in the group who have travelled to hand out donations. (Ethan Benedicto: 483840)
Backpacks for the kids
By Violet Li
Cranbourne-based Backpacks 4 VIC Kids (B4VK) is feeling the pinch as donations drop in a tough economy, but hope remains as it held its Annual Giving Day to support children in crisis.
The charity held its flagship event on Friday 6 June at its Cranbourne West warehouse to thank its major donors, partners, and the community who had been on board with them throughout the year.
The goal for this year is to raise $85,000, and at the time of writing, about $34,000 has been raised.
Major contributions came from the Australian Toy Association ($10,000), Hafele Australia ($5,000), and One Tomorrow Charity Fund through APT Travel Group ($5,000).
Brigitte Stevens, partnerships and fundraising manager, said the number of donors stayed steady, but they noticed a shift: while people are still giving, the dollar amounts are smaller.
“We know that everyone is feeling the pinch right now. Cost-of-living pressures are real, and generosity looks different for everyone,” she said.
“At the same time, the need continues to grow. Orders and deliveries of our essential aid packs are up 37 per cent this year, but donated items have only risen 6 per cent.”
The charity provides essential material aid to displaced children, including those entering foster care, emergency accommodation, or experiencing homelessness. Founded in 2014, it supplies age-appropriate backpacks filled with necessities such as clothing, toiletries, sleepwear, and comfort items.
According to the chief executive officer Sally Beard, the charity has helped over 12,000 babies, children and youth in this financial year, despite the financial hardship.
“We are stretching as much as we can in a very hard climate to raise the funds, but somehow the community gets behind us, and what we need is provided, and all the kids that ask us for help can be supported,” she said.
“Like most nonprofit organisations, we have the same number of people and companies, schools, and clubs who support us, but what they have to give is much less, so our challenge is finding more supporters, more donors who haven’t given to us before and would like to come on board and support our mission, support thousands of children by giving what they can.”
To help children, donate via: mycause.com. au/page/365527/b4vk-annual-giving-day
Amelia from Bunnings was acting quickly in a backpack race.
Volunteers helped with backpacking.
The donations were waiting to be backpacked.
Partnerships and fundraising manager Brigitte Stevens and CEO and founder of B4VK Sally Beard thanked the charity’s major donors, partners, and the community on Annual Giving Day.
Participants had a great time at the backpacking race.
Participants had a great time at the backpacking race.
Operations manager Wayne Allen was holding a bag-packing competition on B4VK’s Annual Giving Day. (Stewart Chambers: 481938)
As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re building the Metro Tunnel and its five new underground stations, with three stations now complete. Work is continuing on two stations, and we’re testing trains through the tunnel to make sure they operate smoothly and safely. We’re also removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings, with 85 already gone and easing congestion by building better roads in Melbourne’s south east.
While we work, disruptions could affect your travel
Train disruptions:
Pakenham Line 9pm 13 June to 3am 16 June Buses replace trains between Dandenong and East Pakenham
Cranbourne and Pakenham lines 20 to 22 JuneThere will be changes to the way you travel on sections of the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines
Road disruptions: Closed roads and ramp
Princes Freeway, Berwick 11 June to 14 November Princes Freeway Citybound exit ramp to Clyde Road
Fowler Road, Dandenong South 20 June to 21 July At the South Gippsland Highway intersection
South Gippsland Highway, Dandenong South 5 to 21 JulyBetween Princes Highway and Dandenong Bypass
Bingo full house of fun
By Violet Li
A Drag Bingo night was held at Lynbrook Community Centre over the past weekend, as Casey Council celebrates Pride Month.
According to City of Casey Manager Connected Communities Callum Pattie, more than 100 people of all ages attended the evening on Saturday 7 June.
“There were three rounds of number Bingo and two rounds of Music Bingo,” he said.
“There were lots of laughs had by all, and the feedback from attendees has been wonderful, with many asking when we will be hosting our next event!
“It was fantastic to see so many people having a great time with their friends and family and showing their support for the Casey rainbow community.”
A surprise birthday cake for Nevelda.
Event MC “Della Katessen” performed the song “Dancing Queen” by Abba.
Rainbow flags, sparkling wine and Bingo cards made for a fantastic night.
Front from left: Tamara, Rachel, Anna, Miranda, behind are the event MC “Della Katessen”.
A feast for all. Event MC was “Della Katessen”, who visited every table and encouraged the teams to play hard. (Rob Carew: 483044)
Event MC “Della Katessen”.
Two Bingo winners with trophies and prizes, Lara (left) and Val (right).
Event MC “Della Katessen”.
City of Casey Rainbow Advisory Committee Members Ren, Elsa and Kris (middle) with LGBTIQA+ Advisor Miranda (left) and the outrageous MC “Della Katessen”.
New shed creates division
By Ava Cashmore
Construction of a new shed by Puffing Billy Railway (PBR) has reignited tensions between the heritage railway and local residents who say they were not adequately communicated with about the project.
The new shed is being built within the railway corridor at Menzies Creek Station, but has drawn criticism for both its scale, proposed colour scheme and the lack of communication with nearby homeowners.
Menzies Creek resident, Zachory Benton, is arguably the most impacted homeowner by the new shed, it being located directly below his backyard.
However, it is his two and a half year old daughter, Saskia that will be truly devastated by the obstruction.
“The train is such an amazing part of her childhood, she absolutely loves it,” Mr Benton said.
“She comes out and waves to everyone as they’re going past all the time... And now that’s going to be mostly blocked off.”
Puffing Billy’s management has previously come under fire for a lack of transparency, most notably during a failed proposal brought to the table by Amplitel to build a 35-metre mobile phone tower on PBR land last year.
“They
That plan was eventually abandoned after community backlash and intervention by the railway’s board.
The current works involve constructing an upgraded maintenance facility at a site historically used for undercarriage repairs.
Communication to Mr Benton highlighted that the work was necessary, stating, “the existing pit was well past its useful life and needed maintenance rectification works.”
“The structure updates are required to meet modern working conditions for staff,” the commu-
Heavy M.E.T.A.L launches
Heavy M.E.T.A.L (Men’s Education Towards Anger and Life), an initiative dedicated to supporting men in reclaiming control over their emotions and lives, has unveiled a groundbreaking online program. The 7-Step Anger Management Masterclass was created to provide powerful tools for men who either cannot attend in-person Men’s Behaviour Change Programs or feel uncomfortable seeking help in group settings.
This innovative solution not only meets the increasing demand for accessible anger management programs from communities across Australia and overseas but also offers a significant financial advantage. Founder David Nugent highlights that the masterclass can save users money by eliminating the need for ongoing therapy sessions that often fail to deliver lasting results.
“Many men who invest in traditional therapy find themselves stuck in long-term cycles without seeing meaningful change,” Nugent explained. “This program is designed to break that cycle, offering immediate, effective strategies that users can rely on for a lifetime.”
Drawing on 20 years of experience and over 5,000 hours of facilitating Men’s Behaviour Change Programs, Nugent developed this self-help course to mirror the same strategies and techniques that transformed his own life. Having helped hundreds of men shift from destructive patterns to healthier behaviours, Nugent ensures that the program delivers a cost-effective, results-driven approach for those committed to change.
The 7-Step Anger Management Masterclass is specifically designed for men who struggle with challenges such as recurring anger, feelings of iso-
lation, difficulties expressing emotions, and shame about seeking help. It provides tools to address these concerns while also tackling one of the most significant barriers to self-improvement: complacency. With lifetime access to the program, participants can revisit its lessons whenever they need reinforcement, providing a long-term resource for maintaining progress.
The program allows men to work privately at their own pace, making it ideal for those who may feel too ashamed or uncomfortable to attend traditional therapy or group sessions. By cutting out the ongoing costs associated with therapy and presenting proven strategies for lasting change, the masterclass has quickly become an invaluable resource for individuals worldwide.
Participants also benefit from personalised support, as Nugent offers ongoing assistance via email to answer questions and ensure they feel empowered throughout the process.
“For the men who feel like there’s no way out or that the problem is everyone else’s fault, this program gives them the tools to shift their perspective, regain control, and start living the lives they and their families deserve,” Nugent said.
Whether aiming to improve relationships, manage emotions, or take control of one’s future, the 7-Step Anger Management Masterclass is a lifechanging opportunity that delivers tangible results without the financial strain of traditional therapy.
To learn more about the program and how it can help, visit [Program Link]. Take the first step today and discover how practical, accessible support can make all the difference in your life.
nication stated.
Mr Benton said the communication of the structure sets a concerning precedent.
“What’s the next thing they’re going to look at building? The tower was a perfect example — something they didn’t communicate clearly until halfway through,” he said.
“I completely understand what they’re trying to do... but this just seems a bit over the top.”
Residents living within the Puffing Billy Corri-
dor face strict planning requirements for their own properties — including restrictions on building height, setbacks, and even colour schemes.
Planning documents show that on 3 March 2025, PBR sought advice from Yarra Ranges Council as to required planning permits, who confirmed on 18 March, no planning permit was required under Transport Zone 1 zoning for railways.
Neighbouring resident, Bill Batten, said these double standards breed resentment.
“If I want to put up a carport, Puffing Billy gets to say what colour it is. But they can build a massive shed behind my neighbour’s house without even knocking on the door,” said Bill.
According to Mr Batten, Puffing Billy chief executive officer, Stephanie Stroud, has previously pledged a commitment to more community engagement, following the mobile tower dispute.
Mr Batten said he doesn’t fault her personally, but believes the organisation’s methods must change.
“All it would’ve taken was a letter, a conversation — just some basic decency,” he said.
“They say they care about the community, but they’re not living up to their own mission statement.”
Both PBR and Yarra Ranges Shire Council declined to comment on the matter.
Men’s Health Matters
This June for International Men’s Health Week, Cardinia Leisure in partnership with Myli present ’Men’s Health Matters’. A free community event to connect community with service providers to proactively address their health and wellbeing.
When: Saturday, 14th June. Where: Pakenham Hall. Time: 10am-12pm – Speakers from 10:30-11:30am. Cost: Free.
This exciting event will feature an impressive lineup of guest speakers, including Ben Soumilas, a father of 5, coach and educator, known for his engaging and practical insights into men’s mental health and well-being, and Andrew Thorpe, an inspiring endurance athlete who completed 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents. Their powerful stories promise to motivate and spark important conversations around physical and mental health.
We have gathered over 15 local health service providers to be in the same place at the same time related to all things Men’s health to support the health, vitality and wellbeing of boys and men of all ages in our community.
Attendees can explore a wide range of stallholders offering information, services, and support around men’s health, lifestyle, fitness, hobbies, and mental resilience. Whether you’re seeking advice, connection, or simply a great morning out, there will be something for everyone.
As a bonus, every attendee on the day will be eligible for one month of free membership at Cardinia Life, helping kickstart your health journey or add extra motivation to your current routine.
The Men’s Health Matters Expo is more than just an event — it’s a step towards stronger, healthier communities by supporting men to live well. Save the date and bring your mates—it’s time to start the conversation.
For more information, visit Cardinia Leisure or Myli Library’s website and social media pages.
Cardinia Leisure in partnership with Myli present Men’s Health Matters, a free community event.
say they care about the community, but they’re not living up to their own mission statement,” said Menzies Creek resident, Bill Batten. (Ava Cashmore: 482739)
WHAT’S ON
Men’s health matters
Celebrating International Men’s Health Week, ’Men’s Health Matters’ is a free event hosted by Cardinia Life and Myli- My Community Library, featuring special guest speakers along with stallholders from community groups and organisations who support and promote the health, vitality and wellbeing of boys and men of all ages in our community. Registration is preferred for this session held on Saturday June 14 from 10am-12pm at Pakenham Hall.
Bumble bee baby and children’s market
Bumble Bee Baby and Children’s Markets are excited to announce their upcoming market at Berwick Fields Primary School on June 15 from 9am12pm. With up to 65 stall holders you are sure to snap up some bargains on new, handmade and preloved baby and children’s goods for all ages. At only $2 entry for adults (children < 12 yo free ) and plenty of free parking it is the perfect Sunday morning outing.
Cardinia Fusion Festival
Cardinia Fusion Film Festival is in conjunction with World Refugee Week, and will be followed by the screening event. This screening event is a special highlight of the 2025 Cardinia Fusion Festival. Batoor: A Refugee Journey (2021), is a documentary film by renound photographer and filmmaker, Barat Ali Batoor. The screening will be followed by a Q&A. This is a free, over 18 community event held on Friday 20 June from 6:00pm - 8:20pm. Booking is required.
The Wobbly Wallaby and The Absolute Bandicoot
The Wobbly Wallaby and The Absolute Bandicoot is coming to the Cardinia Cultural Centre Gallery from Wednesday, 18 June to Sunday, 29 June. This special residency invites children aged 3 to 8 into a multi-sensory exploration of the beloved story, set in the forest of the Dandenong Ranges and centred on themes of neurodiversity, empathy, and emotional awareness. Throughout the residency, kids can take part in engaging craft workshops inspired by the book’s characters and themes. A live performance of the book adaptation will be held on Saturday, 28 June, from 10:00am to 11:00am.
FREE Drop-in Workshops
FREE Drop-in Workshops will be held at the Cardinia Cultural Centre Gallery, inviting young people of all ages to help create a magical forest scene for the upcoming puppet theatre show The Wobbly Wallaby and the Absolute Bandicoot. A general drop-in session for all ages will run on Saturday, 21 June from 10:00am-12:00pm, while a special workshop just for pre-schoolers will take place on Tuesday, 24 June from 10:00am-12:00pm. Participants will learn how a theatre set is imagined and brought to life, while exploring their own creative potential through hands-on craft activities. With plenty of materials, colours, and imaginative ideas to explore, kids can contribute their own unique touch to the performance space—then return to see it transformed during the live show. All workshops are free and no bookings are required Get Involved with Pakenham Central Probus
Looking to stay social, active, and connected in retirement?
Pakenham Central Probus is a vibrant and welcoming club for retired or semi-retired locals seeking fun, friendship, and fresh experiences. Enjoy a wide range of activities including Dine Outs, day trips, coffee mornings, a walking group, craft group, ten pin bowling, concerts, and theatre outings. Monthly meetings are held in Pakenham on Thursdays with reports on the Club’s activities, interesting speakers and opportunities to socialise and sign up for any of the activities
CHURCH
that interest you. For more info contact membership officer, Jenny on 0419 421 950 or email pakenhamcentralprobus@gmail.com
Family movie night
Come down for a great family movie night at Pakenham library on June 20 from 6:30pm. Popcorn and water provided. Please contact the library to get specific movie details.
Kids zone
Kids Zone is an after-school program on the 26 from 4pm at Emerald Library.Tickets are required for each participating child. Supervising adults do not require a ticket. Children must be actively supervised at all times during their library visit.
Compost Giveback Program
Cardinia Shire households can reap the rewards of having a food and garden waste kerbside bin with the Compost Giveaway. In partnership with the Cardinia Environment Coalition, Cardinia Shire Council is giving two 25L bags of compost to households using a Council food and garden waste (lime green lidded) kerbside bin. To participate, households will need to register. Registered households can collect their compost from the CEC Nursery Coalition Nursery at Deep Creek Reserve in Pakenham on Fridays 9am-12pm (midday) or the last Saturday of each month 9am12pm (midday). The Compost Giveaway is open now until Saturday 28 June or while stocks last.
Garfield Exercise Group
As part of the Bunyip Friendship Hub, they meet at the Garfield Football Club rooms on Tuesdays at 10am.
Garfield Sewing Club
Come along with your sewing machine or use one of ours and join a group of sewers creating clothes, quilts, crafts, repairing and upcycling.
All skill levels welcome but a gold coin donation.
This event is held every Tuesday during the school term at Garfield Scout Hall.
Food Relief with Vegetables and Fruit
Available every second Wednesday at 2pm at MoyYan Neighbourhood House in Garfield.
Inner Wheel Club of Berwick
The Inner Wheel Club (IW) Berwick is a ladies international friendship club which raises funds to support local charities and other worthwhile causes.
They have a dinner meeting on the first Monday of the month and enjoy a range of activities including guest speakers, morning teas, book club and craft afternoons.
• For more information, visit their Facebook page or contact iiw.au.berwick@gmail.com
Berwick Springs VIEW Club
Affiliated with The Smith Family, the Berwick Springs VIEW Club is a not-for-profit organisation, with the aim to fundraise to support Learning for Life students.
The club currently supports 10 students of varying ages with their education expenses.
The club meets on the first Monday of each month in the Berwick Springs Hotel function room from 11.15am, where members enjoy a lunch and then host a guest speaker.
Throughout the year, the club has a couple of special fundraisers, as well as casual morning tea and lunch for interested ladies.
The club is always looking for new members in all age groups.
• For more information, contact Shirley on 0438 191 759 or email berwicksprings.viewclub@ gmail.com
Probus Club of Pakenham East
The Probus Club of Pakenham East is encouraging new members to join the Club.
Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at the Cardinia Club, 71 Racecourse Road Pakenham. Meeting commences at 10:30am
A short meeting is followed by morning tea and the opportunity to get to know members prior to the introduction of the guest speaker.
• Various activities are held throughout the month For more information, please contact President Pamela on 0418584913 or contact Secretary Dorothy on probuspakenhameast@gmail.com U3A Casey
Did you know that U3A Casey now has 471 members and operates out of multiple venues across the Casey area?
It offers 65 different classes, ranging from exercise/movement/dance groups to literature, crafts, music, discussion groups and more.
Membership from July to December is $30 with no further costs.
• If you want to keep both your mind and body active after retirement, then visit u3acasey.org.au
Uniting Church Pakenham
“Our vision as a Christian community is to honour each individual’s experience of God, while sharing the love of Jesus in a positive, safe and inclusive environment.”
Sunday’S service saw Berwick UCA visit to celebrate Pentecost Sunday with Pastor Jo Crisp and Jane Yun along with Riak Kiir. The service started with a Nigerian song and then Arabic, Korean and English with different cultures, languages and symbols.
Pastor Jo explained what Pentecost is and also played the music of the Fijian choir who visited. The children in the congregation put messages
in red balloons to remind us what Pentecost is about.
Jane reminded us that Pentecost reminds us that before Jesus left the world after the last supper he tells the disciples that the father will send another helper – the Holy Spirit – to be with them forever. The disciples stayed in Jerusalem and there were tongues of fire and the sound of wind. It was a powerful and holy moment. It was a time that they all got courage And fear turned to boldness and confusion to wisdom.
The disciples became a united group who
were asked by Jesus to wait. The Holy Spirit gives us power to live out our mission. This is the same today. Jesus knew that the disciples would sometimes forget but the Holy Spirit would bring us together. Today the Holy Spirit brings us together. We all have hard times with health, family, finances, loneliness but Pentecost reminds us that God is always with us. Jesus said “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. (John 14 V27)
Things to remember:
· Homework Hub Tuesday 10th June 3.30 –5.30pm
· Playgroup Wednesday 11th June 9.30 11.00am
·
· Beehive Craft Tuesday 10th June 1.30pm
Please ensure that the doors are locked when you leave the building and the heating/cooling and lights are off.
Please continue to contribute to the Lazarus Food Relief which is being run by the COPTIC church who are providing hampers for the community which they distribute each Saturday at 2.00pm. A box is in the foyer for donations. Psalm 104 V1 “O Lord, how manifold are your works”
Men’s health matters. (Unsplash)
New Hallam hub to open
A new OzHarvest food rescue hub is set to open in the City of Casey in the coming week, looking to deliver 6000 extra meals each week.
Set to open on Thursday, 12 June, the new hub at SE Hub in Hallam will alleviate pressure from 12 local charities on the waitlist for hard-hit communities across Casey, Cardinia, Frankston, Greater Dandenong, Knox, Monash, and the Mornington Peninsula.
The OzHarvest manager for Melbourne, Christine Crowley, said that “food insecurity isn’t just about hunger - it’s about dignity, health and the impossible decisions people face every day just to survive”.
The Hallam site is part of OzHarvest’s wider expansion plan to better support people in need, and has been made possible through funding from the Victorian Government’s Community Food Relief program. Woolworths is also a national partner with OzHarvest, with dozens of stores across Victoria donating surplus food daily to help feed local communities.
According to OzHarvest’s 2025 Community Needs Survey, it revealed that there is a national hunger emergency, with a 54 per cent increase in people being turned away by the 1500 charities OzHarvest serves across Australia.
“This is the toughest it’s ever been, and more than a third are reaching out for help for the first time in their lives,” Crowley said.
“Every meal we rescue gives someone the strength to get through the day, and with winter approaching, this new hub means we can reach more people faster, and in the communities that need it most.”
In Victoria alone, 81 per cent of the charities OzHarvest supports saw an increase in demand for food relief, with 77 per cent of charities needing more food to meet demand.
Nearly one third - 29 per cent - of people seeking food relief are also doing so for the first time ever. On 12 June, 8am is the scheduled time for guests to arriveandforbreakfasttobeserved,withan8:30am tour of the new space. This story is developing, and more information is to be added once available.
A new OzHarvest hub is set to open in Hallam in the coming week, looking to serve 6000 meals on a weekly basis. (On File)
Ramp closures coming up
Delays of up to 15 minutes are to be expected for traffic detouring through Berwick over the next few months, as ramp closures take place as part of the Clyde Road Upgrade.
The inbound exit from the Princes Freeway to Clyde Road, Berwick, will close from 4:30am Friday, 13 June, until mid-November.
All motorists who wish to reach Clyde Road from citybound lanes should take the earlier exit at O’Shea Road and detour via O’Shea Road to the south, or Princes Highway/High Street to the north.
For those who miss this earlier exit, they are able to exit at the Princes Highway u-turn via the freeway’s outbound lanes.
The outbound exit to Clyde Road will remain open during this period.
During this closure, crews will complete extensive asphalt and drainage works, and build a 180-metre-long retaining wall along the Princes Freeway citybound exit, which will also act as a safety barrier.
The outbound entry from Clyde Road to the Princes Freeway will close from July, while overnight freeway closures will take place in the area at times throughout winter.
The Clyde Road Upgrade will deliver improvements between Enterprise Avenue and Bemersyde Drive to improve traffic flow and safety, including upgrades to the intersection at Kangan Drive and at the Princes Freeway interchange, new street lighting, road signage, drainage and landscaping.
For real-time traffic conditions, they are available to be viewed at traffic.transport.vic.gov.au/.
For the latest public transport information and network status, visit www.ptv.vic.gov.au/
Vision of works being done on the hills near the bridge on Clyde Road, in December 2024. (Stewart Chambers: 449741)
Warriors impressive at NJC
By Justin Schwarze
Pakenham Warriors Under-14s girls are a very proud basketball team after finishing fifth at the National Junior Classic over the long weekend.
The side went 5-1 across the tournament, battling its way to some gutsy wins at Dandenong Stadium.
In the group stage, Pakenham got off the mark behind a nail-biter against Kilsyth.
Skipper Kaylee Mann came up huge with a clutch basket that lifted the Warriors to a 51-49 victory.
Mann finished with 15 points while Eva Deguigne provided 13.
They followed this with a rout of West Adelaide 76-32.
Deguigne top scored with 20 with Mann and Ella Read also in double figures.
The final group game saw Pakenham roll Manly Warringah 70-30 through another 20-point performance from Deguigne.
Mann added 15 points and Madison McLaren chipped in 10.
The Warriors easily qualified for the quarter finals, where a matchup against fierce opponent Melbourne was scheduled.
The bigger and stronger Tigers shot well and kept Pakenham out of the game, rolling to a 30-73 triumph.
The dream of a gold medal was over, but there was no time to dwell on the loss with a placement game ahead against Eltham.
Paul Bannister’s side controlled the match versus the Wildcats, comfortably taking a 51-43 scalp to move into the fifth/sixth qualifying game.
Mann scored 13 with Deguigne and Grace Tovara reaching double-digit scoring tallies.
The fifth-place match ultimately proved to be
a rematch with Kilsyth, a contest the Warriors got a hold of early and never looked back, posting a 50-41 win to finish fifth.
Deguigne posted her third 20 or more point performance of the tournament with 21, supported by 13 points from Mann.
“I think the girls got into the flow of the tournament as each game went on,” Bannister said.
“The toughest part was the fact we played Kilsyth first and won and then ended up playing them again in the fifth-place game and we
were able to knock them off twice, so that was an achievement.”
Deguigne and Mann both finished in the top 10 for scoring in the tournament, with Deguigne third averaging 15.1 points per game.
The fifth-place finish is a fantastic achievement against some of the country’s best, with the squad qualified and preparing for the National Championships in Perth in September.
“They moved the ball quickly, that was really good,” Bannister said of the team’s performances
at the tournament.
“I think our commitment to defence was good too, those two things were probably the most standout.
“I’m over the moon, the result this weekend is actually the best finish out of any junior team that the club’s ever had.
“That’s a bit of a hallmark statement, and it’s great for the girls.
“It’s all about them learning, so I’m super proud of them.
“I have expectations far beyond their age, I put a lot on them and I expect a lot from them and they all rise to the occasion, they’re all just fabulous kids.
“The skill level that they have is just off the charts.
“The confidence that we’re gaining from buying into the offense, buying into how hard they have to work to achieve things is something we hope to take away.”
Pakenham Lions sliders take the icy plunge at Toomuc
As part of Outer East Football Netball’s ‘Sockit2MND Round’ Pakenham Football and Netball club’s are doing their bit by sending some brave people into the icy cold water after home games against Seville Football Netball Club on Saturday.
The Lions footballers and netballers are raising money for ‘FIGHTMND’, the great cause co-founded by AFL Icon Neale Daniher.
And while Neale is at the forefront as the public face of this battle, local communities are also seeing the effects of this disease hit close to home.
The Lions recently lost their much-loved Pakenham Football Club Life Member Denis Gibson to this disease.
State Representative Emma Vulin MP, who will be opening the main event on Saturday at Toomuc Reserve, revealed in 2024 her own diagnosis of MND.
Emma is determined to not let the ‘’beast’’ define her life, instead pushing for advocacy on
finding a cure for a disease that doesn’t discriminate.
Pakenham is doing this for Emma, for Neale, for Denis and for all those affected by this hideous disease.
Both clubs welcome all the wonderful Pakenham community to come along on the day, watch some great local football and netball and then on the conclusion of the seniors, see the amazing sliders go down into the freezing icy waters, all for a good cause!
Sliders for Pakenham will be Matt Cooke, Hayley Melsen, Caitlin Green, Ben Green, Annalise Ryan, David Sollberger, Kelly Cousins, D’Angelo Taito, Tanya Stafford, Rhys Brooks, Sarah Connelly, Paul Jones, Courtney Stephens, Sarah Connelly, Jackson Hillard, Brody Hoppner and Tianah Vandesteeg.
Anyone wishing to donate, please visit https://support.fightmnd.org.au/st/1641/5137 or check out the Pakenham Football Club socials.
Eva Deguigne was phenomenal all tournament, averaging over 15 points per game for Pakenham. (Rob Carew: 482891)
Tess Meehl’s defensive play helped Pakenham get past Eltham on Sunday. (482891)
Skipper Kaylee Mann rallied the troops well over the course of the weekend. (482891)
The Warriors under-14 girls finished fifth at the National Junior Classic. (482891)
Pakenham’s Big Freeze sliders for after Saturday’s games. (Supplied: 483362)
Will Eagles soar and Lions lift to level?
By Jonty Ralphsmith and Justin Schwarze BEACONSFIELD SET FOR LITMUS TEST IN EASTERN DIV 1
Beaconsfield will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss against Bayswater when it faces Park Orchards on Saturday at Domenay Reserve.
Park Orchards sit second on the ladder, a game and percentage ahead of the Eagles, and haven’t lost since round one.
Mick Fogarty’s men appeared to have established themselves as one of the pacesetters of the competition - alongside Park Orchards and South Belgrave - until a hiccup before the league-wide King’s Birthday bye.
Key defender Finn Devine looks set to play a critical role with former Coburg VFL-listed Lewis Downie his likely matchup, with the 23-yearold Park Orchards player having kicked multiple goals in every game this season.
Ball magnet Damien Johnston has been in strong form in recent weeks and will be looking to continue it against a Park Orchards midfield with plenty of weapons, while Jake Aarts has added star-power in 2025 and will be a player the opponents will be hoping to neutralise.
It’s set to be a clash of styles, with Beaconsfield’s 2025 success built on the back of strangling defence across the ground, conceding the least points of any team in the league, but the Eagles are also the lowest scoring team of any side outside the bottom three.
The scoring issues could be exacerbated by leading goal kicker Jake Bowd missing through injury – particularly given Park Orchards’ propensity to put big scores on the board as the second best offence of 2025.
Park Orchards has passed 90 in all but one of its wins in 2025, compared to Beaconsfield which has reached that figure just once.
While they’re the form team of the competition, alongside the undefeated premiership favourites South Belgrave, Park Orchards have had the last two weeks off, which the Eagles will hope can stymie their momentum.
A win for Beaconsfield would sure up their status among the top three, with a big win set to lift them to second above Park Orchards, but a loss would see fourth-placed Boronia draw level with it on points if it beats Mooroolbark.
BERWICK LOOK TO BOUNCE BACK IN EASTERN PREMIER
What happened against South Croydon?
That’s what Andrew Williams and his troops must have been pondering after a round seven loss to a middle-of-the-table side by 58 points. After coming so close and being reliably competitive in the first third of the season, Berwick
broke through for its first win of 2025 against Rowville, heralding hopes of more rewards to come.
But they came crashing back down to earth and the challenge gets stiffer this Saturday at Edwin Flack Oval against an in-form Blackburn which is contending for the premiership.
Several current and former VFL-listed players headline Blackburn’s lineup including Box Hill pair Billy Hicks and Nathan Philactides and Ryley Stoddart, who has 48 games of VFL experience to his name.
With the winless Mitcham on the horizon next week, Berwick will hope to get back towards something resembling their best footy to give themselves the best chance of claiming another scalp.
LIONS CREDENTIALS ON THE LINE
The biggest test of the year awaits Pakenham after its week off in Outer East Division 1 with undefeated Seville visiting Toomuc Reserve.
However, the Blues are even more rested, having not played in a fortnight with their bye coinciding with the holiday.
The Lions will need to move the ball quickly and generate high quality inside 50s as a slow, defensive minded game favours Seville.
Pakenham has scored the second most points in the league, but the Blues have allowed the fewest.
Seville wears down its opposition by grinding out games and playing at its own tempo.
The midfield is where this battle will be decided, as the Lions need to take advantage of the big deck to create space and find leading targets.
Goal-scoring spread will prove to be important with Sam Cachia the only Lions’ forward to pose a massive threat in the recent loss to Warburton Millgrove.
Depth and versatility have been strengths this season for Pakenham going forward, but the Blues may quickly adjust and play the gaps to create an advantage.
It will be on the mids to ensure Seville can’t transition the ball and launch out of the backline.
The Blues managed to edge out Warburton Millgrove earlier in the season in a reasonably low-scoring affair, showcasing their defensive tools and midfield prowess.
This will be a similar occasion, with Seville’s class a touch too strong for the Lions, especially through the backline.
The Blues will methodically work the game and get in front, claiming a 16-point triumph.
Girl Power continues for Gippy
By Jonty Ralphsmith
A consistent four-quarter effort has lifted Gippsland’s girls to a 7.6(48) to 5.5(35) victory over Northern Knights.
The Power pulled away by 20 points midway through the last quarter when speedy winger Baia Pugh found the big sticks which was enough despite the Knights kicking the last two goals.
It was Pugh’s second goal of the match and fourth shot as she continues to press her case for Vic Country selection with some strong form, combining 22 disposals and eight tackles.
Tough midfielder Rebecca Fitzpatrick led the way for Gippsland with a gamehigh 26 disposals alongside a goal.
In her first game back from an extended layoff, Lilly Leighton provided Fitzpatrick with great support in the clinches with 18 disposals and six tackles.
Double bottom-ager Jessica Grimstead’s relentless defensive intensity and Maya Crestani’s ruck dominance were other key features of the victory.
The win comes despite Gippsland having eight fewer inside 50s, with their ability to capitalise on 24 entries with seven goals decisive in giving them a win.
The Power, which sit fifth with a 5-2 record, will face the 1-5 Western Jets this Sunday, 11am, at Morwell Recreation Reserve.
Scintillating six-goals leaves Stingray Alice in wonderland
By Jonty Ralphsmith
A stunning six-goal haul to Dandenong Stingrays forward Alice Cunnington has led Dandenong to a 15.7(97) to 4.2(26) victory over Bendigo at Shepley Oval on Saturday.
It continues a trend of improving performances at the level for Cunnington, who juggles her footballing commitments with netball.
The bottom-ager had 11 goals from just four games coming into the match, after averaging a goal per game in eight outings last year.
“She was fantastic, playing the game as a deep forward,” Dandenong coach Nathan Boyd said.
“She looked super clean and evasive in the forward line.
“As well as finishing with 6.2, she gave three or four off, so she had one of those games where she was in a bit of everything.
“She’s almost a complete package – she does it on the ground, she does it aerially, she has a beautiful kick and she has clean hands.
“She does a lot of things right so she’s pretty exciting.”
Cunnington kicked 3.1 in a 41-0 first quarter which put the ‘Rays in a commanding position to run away with the game.
Having spent time in defence this year, Kiara Triep had a breakthrough performance, kicking 3.2 and laying seven tackles to play a major part in Dandenong’s dominance.
Marlee Black and Nikita Harris helped the Stingrays win it out of the middle, with the pair both recording a team-high 19 disposals.
“Marlee had a neat game as an inside mid so it was cool to see her in that role, Nikita Harris was strong defensively for us as well which was important,” Boyd said.
“Bridget Koczek as a key defender had some important moments and looked nice and composed.”
Debutant Frankie Shepard also caught the eye despite having just four disposals, competing well in the ruck against Bendigo’s Sasha Pearce who has 32 games of Coates League experience under her belt.
Rebecca Fitzpatrick continued her solid form in the middle. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 414858)
Alice Cunnington kicked six goals for Dandenong. (Rob Carew: 430152)
Finn Devine is excellent at neutralising his opponent aerially. (Rob Carew: 481278)
Let’s Talk Sport
WITH DAVE NAGEL, JUSTIN SCHWARZE, BLAIR BURNS AND DYLAN BEAUMONT
Cranny, Cobras and Casey
JUSTIN: Alright boys, we’ve got some nervous fans in the meeting room this morning with myself prepping for Game 2 of the NBA Finals and the two Collingwood fans on either side of me anticipating the King’s Birthday game.
JONTY: I wouldn’t say I’m nervous, I’m confident (boys laugh).
JUSTIN: We also had a strange weekend of weather, it seems we got the whole winter’s worth of rain dumped on us in the last two or three days, but we’ll move past the bleak weather and head to your best action Dave.
BEST ACTION
DAVE: Boys, down at Warragul on the weekend it was a dull and dreary game of football for three quarters. In the third quarter, two young blokes combined from Dusties, one called Jarrod West who’s a classy winger and Cody Templeton, who’s destined for future honours at AFL level if our little insider is correct. At the 21-minute mark of the third, Jarrod grabs the ball on a day where skills were tough, I reckon eight of the first nine goals were from free kicks. West picks up the ball and from 50 metres launches a goal. Cody’s in the goalsquare as one of the smallest players on the ground, shepherds off big Tim Payne, who’s a big 300-gamer that just loves roughing people up. It was just a classy moment from two young fellas who combined to get a goal against an old-school team in Cora Lynn. That was a highlight as far as skillsgoes,butfast-forwardtothe30-minutemark of the last, the Dusties had led by 29 points at the 14-minute mark, but now Cora Lynn was within a kick. Cora Lynn went forward and it looked all over, it looked like they were going to kick a goal and take the lead. I don’t know how it happened, but the Cobras ended up with a two-on-one in the forward line when Warragul was trying to protect the game. Harrison Paul got the ball in the forward pocket, all he had to do was dish it off to Lachie Coverdale just metres out from goal. But Dusties defender Sam Russell jumped up as high as he could, intercepted the handball and the ball went to ground. A frustrated Paul tackled him and gave away a high free kick, so he repelled the ball outside 50 to save the game. A couple of minutes later, a free kick got awarded to Cora Lynn, who had a shot to win it after the siren from 45 out and it drifted wide. But if Sam Russell doesn’t touch that footy, Warragul Industrials are a game poorer on the ladder.
BLAIR: Can’t rival that one, but I went down to Cranbourne versus Dingley. It was one against 10 on the ladder, but Cranbourne had a real crack and I was impressed with the effort and pressure they brought with tackling intensity. Bailey Buntine entered a bit more midfield time with Zak Roscoe being out and he did really well. The best action was eight minutes into the second quarter where Cranbourne was pushing Dingley back and Dingley decided to take it on through the corridor. Buntine came through and intercept marked, but he played on and took two bounces, runs to 50 and slams it deep and hits Ryan Jones on the chest. It was a great piece of play and a momentum shifter but Jones let him down and missed the set shot. However, Buntine gets the piece of best action for those running bounces through the corridor and beautiful kick inside 50.
JONTY: I’m going to give you two Justin. Patrick Ireland, we talked about his debut for the Casey Demons, and he slotted a goal on a low-scoring night. It was a mark much to the chagrin of CollingwooddefenderCharlieDean,whothought it travelled about seven-and-a-half metres; I reckon it travelled about three-and-a-half but he got given the mark. He calmly converted on his set shot from about 35 when there hadn’t been many goals, so props to him and good to see him get his debut because it’s not often someone rises from the Ellinbank league to higher honours. The second one is from Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves on Saturday for Vic Country. He had back-to-back goals in the fourth quarter against Western Australia, he’s made a habit of kicking clutch goals in his young career. He basically put the team on his back for three or four minutes and gave Vic Country a chance of winning, but unfortunately they lost with the last kick of the game. He kicked 11.2 in fourth quarters last year for the Dandenong
Stingrays, then he booted the winning goal last week for them and then he almost won this game with the two and neither of them were easy.
JUSTIN: There was no Outer East this weekend, so I spent Saturday at home in the warm but I caught the replay of Dandenong Thunder’s game against Altona. Thunder were up 3-0 at halftime, and maybe Altona wanted to bounce back in the second half but 20 seconds into the half, Dandenong completely caught them napping. After kickoff, the ball went in to Yuki Uchida, who’s having a stellar season, he chipped it over the defence to Sulemani on the right who fired in a cross straight onto the forehead of Daniel Clark. He headed it into the goal 20 seconds into the half to make it 4-0. They extended their lead and put the game to bed as quick as you can.
JONTY: Yuki Uchida’s featured a couple of times in LTS in the past couple of weeks!
JUSTIN: Yes he has! That’s the second straight week he and Thunder have had my best action!
MND SLIDERS
JUSTIN: With MND round this week boys, if you had your own Big Freeze slide and you could pick three people to go down it, who would you pick?
JONTY: I’ve gone local, so we’ll start with Jimmy Munro. I feel like he captures a large audience from the West Gippy region as he’s a legend of that competition and certainly a legend of Cora Lynn. He’s also been a servant of the Casey Demons as well, so there’s a couple of different demographics that would be interested in watching him and he’s obviously highly-respected over a long period of time. Brandon Osborne from the Cranbourne Footy Club, he was down at training the other night which was good to see. He’s a long-serving captain out with a knee injury at the moment, but that captures the Cranbourne demographic and then there’s so many old schoolers like yourself Dave that have loved watching him over the years and had rivalries against him. Finally, to try and bring in more of a national audience is Mac Andrew, who’s from Berwick. He went down Gold Coast’s MND slide last week so I’d bring him down to Edwin Flack and get him to the old stomping grounds. So, a former long-serving VFL player, an AFL player and one of the most respected local boys.
BLAIR: We’ll kick it off with Narre Warren and Jake Richardson, I reckon he’d make a big splash going down there and just set the tone a bit. Then, we’ll go a bit higher and get Anthony Albanese, let’s bring him in with the Hawks colours on. Let’s get him down the slide and get a bit of politics
involved, I reckon that’d work. And then, sort of a representative for the journos, Tommy Morris dressed as Bevo. The handlebar mo, too. That’ll create a few storylines.
JONTY: That’s awesome, that’s Blair’s highlight on the sports desk since I’ve returned.
DAVE: Boys, I thought my son was going down the slide at the MCG today when I had a look at the names, I thought I saw Matt Nagel, but there’s Matt Nable on the list. But boys, I’m going with a little bit of punishment in mine. Ellinbank Chair Ray Wall is going down the slide because West Gippsland has offered a hand to Ellinbank to try and come up with a solution for next year with divisional footy. Ellinbank clubs are once again living in their own little world, slamming the door shut and don’t even want to talk about it. It hasn’t even got to a proposal stage, they don’t even want to get together. So Ray, you’re going down as punishment on behalf of your clubs. Another punishment, AFL Victoria’s media department. I’m trying to put together a story about what’s happening in local footy and I’ve touched base with them three times, no response at all. Total arrogance, and that’s why people disrespect that organisation so much at the local level. They need to understand that we’re just trying to write stories about local footy; we won their best coverage award last year and they still don’t want to respond. Then, the ice will probably get colder after the media department go down, it might even freeze over. We need someone to go in there and thaw things out, so Nar Nar Goon captain Trent Armour, he’ll go in there because Nar Nar Goon is so hot at the moment, that pool would boil like a kettle within minutes.
JUSTIN: Blair set the bar high, but Dave went to another level. My first one is Ned Weideman from the Warriors. I’ve known Ned for a long time because he coached me in under-12s when I was a wee lad. He’s always loved taking the P155 out of things, so he’s going down the slide. I’ve got Emerald’s coach Dave Johnson, he loves having a crack and every time I speak with him he’s always up and about, win, lose or draw. Finally, I’ve got Braden Venning.
JONTY: Yes! I was going to put him too.
JUSTIN: Lovely character, brilliant bloke and he’d be all about it. I just love the way he coaches at the Pakenham Warriors, I think that will translate to him going down the slide, he’d love it.
FOOTY ROUND TRADITIONS
JUSTIN: As we said boys, it’s MND round so we have the King’s Birthday clash. It made me think
about the footy traditions like Round 1 Richmond v Carlton, Anzac Day, Dreamtime, Easter Monday and more. So, if you could bring in a traditional local footy match, what would it be? I’ll get us started, Emerald versus Gembrook Cockatoo has to be Anzac Round every year, they did it last year and this year. They’re local rivals, the RSL loves it and it has to be on the calendar. Also, I did some research Dave, because you were talking about your wonderful late mate Denis Gibson. He was a beloved character among these parts and means a lot to this local area. I learned he was a premiership player at Warragul, and he was a life member at Pakenham. I know they play in different leagues, but in this hypothetical world, Pakenham and Warragul face off in an MND round. They’re going to play for the Denis Gibson Shield. DAVE: Well done Justin. Mine is interleague football. But this is interleague football with meaning. With what I’ve just mentioned about Ellinbank refusing to talk to West Gippsland, let’s have a game where voting rights or the ability to do something is on the line. West Gippsland will play Ellinbank, let’s put $20k up for grabs from both leagues to make it really spicy to start with. But the winning league gets to make a decision that the other league can’t fight against. So if West Gippy want to go and bring both leagues together with promotion and relegation and they win this interleague game, they can do it. The players would be fighting for their league, rather than just wearing a representative jumper with their peers. It will never happen...but would be great if it did.
JONTY: I’m going down the interleague path as well, I would put an interleague game on each of the three long-weekend public holidays in the footy season. They need to be cleared of any normal competition and I think that should be an AFL Victoria sanctioned decision. Every league in Victoria has a standalone game on that weekend playing against a local league nearby. Then, the Grand Final eve public holiday is the interleague Grand Final.
BLAIR: Sounds like AFL Victoria has a bit to think about after today’s LTS. Mine is a pretty standard one, but Narre Warren and Cranbourne’s unmatched rivalry needs to be the season opener. I really liked it this year, under lights and it’ll kick the season off the right way. You don’t have to look too far to find the passion between these clubs and I reckon it gets the season off to a flyer.
JUSTIN: Thanks for the chat as always boys, Jonty is finally going to stop dodging the LTS hot seat next week and using his trip to Vegas as an excuse!
Patrick Ireland’s rise to a VFL debut from his time in the Ellinbank League was impressive, kicking a goal for Casey and winning Jonty’s best action. (Stewart Chambers: 422963)
Hibbins-Hargreaves stars
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Dandenong Stingrays co-captain Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves and top Gippsland prospect
Willem Duursma were the stars of the show for Vic Country in its first game of the Under-18s National Championships.
Vic Country lost with the last kick of the game as WA’s Hudson Walker converted a set shot from 40 metres out on a slight angle to give the Sandgropers a 12.9(81) to 11.12(78) victory.
But Hibbins-Hargreaves was the player who gave Vic Country a sniff of causing an upset over their highly fancied opponents, kicking back-toback goals in the last quarter.
His first was from 40 metres out deep in the pocket and second came from a coolly converted set shot from a similar distance.
It continues a trend of Hibbins-Hargreaves kicking clutch goals across the past 18 months, always standing up for the Stingrays at their time of need, most recently by kicking the sealer last week.
The smooth-moving, strong-marking forward finished with a game-high four goals, particularly influential in the second half.
Duursma, meanwhile, was influential through the midfield, finishing with 26 disposals, four tackles and four clearances.
Other strong players for Vic Country were topfive prospect Josh Lindsay (Geelong Falcons) and Carlton father-son prospect Harry Dean, an intercept defender from Murray Bushrangers.
Hibbins-Hargreaves headlined 12 locals in action for Vic Country.
PLAYER BY PLAYER BREAKDOWN
Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves: Has well and truly put his name on the map as a bona fide top-20 prospect. His four goals all came in different ways and showcased various skills, including his brave marking, opportunism at stoppage, clean hands, forward craft and most tellingly, his clutch finishing. He’s laid the platform for an excellent championships.
• Zach O’Keefe: The utility finished with 12 disposals and four tackles, and he was particularly prominent early, with his clean ball-handling, attack on the footy and kicking efficiency impressive. Nearly kicked a critical goal from the arc in the last quarter, but it was touched on the line.
• Willem Duursma: Worked hard and showed his toughness and aerial capacity at various stages, with a 50-metre darting pass inside 50 to set up a Jesse Mellor shot on goal highlighting an exceptional third quarter. As well as his flashiness in open play, he showed off elements of his game that have been questioned.
• Marlon Neocleous: The bottom-aged small for-
ward who played in Traralgon’s 2024 premiership was promoted to the squad following injuries/illness to teammate Tom Matthews and
GWV’s Harley Hicks. Finished with 1.1 from eight disposals and had some dangerous moments when the ball hit the deck inside 50 and
worked up the ground to be a link player.
Toby Sinnema: The Melbourne Next Generation Academy winger from Devon Meadows was a touch quieter but still ran his lanes well on the wing, getting forward to have a shot on goal and providing an option in transition play, to finish with 10 disposals.
Jobe Scapin: The slightly-built Gippslander played well above his weight class, finishing with a game-high six tackles, five of which came in the first half. Threw his weight around against bigger bodies and got rewarded by effecting some turnovers. Only found the 10 disposals but felt far more influential.
• Mitch Stevens: The Adelaide father-son prospect won most of his 19 disposals in the first half, providing run and getting some overlap handballs, while taking some intercept marks. Always looked to set the game up with his kicking and pressured a WA opponent late in the game to save a crucial goal to keep his side in front.
Darcy Szerszyn: The bottom-aged Dandenong defender showed glimpses which franked his selection in the squad. Took a huge intercept mark in the middle of the ground in the third quarter and had composure against a WA forward line which applied pressure throughout. Callum Smith: After a strong month of footy leading Dandenong’s midfield, Smith was one of Vic Country’s best, getting an opportunity in the engine room and taking it with both hands. Finished with a team-high five clearances, with his contested ball-winning a feature. Like many on the day, 14 disposals belied his impact, with his morning highlighted by a terrific running goal from 45.
• Max Lee: The Dandenong co-captain had a huge first quarter, playing his preferred halfback position, which helped Vic Country counterattack and set up a quarter time lead. Was quieter as the game went on but a huge spoil in the dying stages prevented a WA shot on goal.
• Wil Malady: Was the star of the show early, with two goals in the first quarter and causing real problems for the WA defence with his contested marking. Would only kick one more behind for the rest of the day, and finished with just six disposals, but all of those were marks and he was never outmarked.
• Tairon Ah-Mu: The strong Dandenong key forward took a big mark and kicked a critical goal midway through the fourth quarter to get Vic Country back within touching distance. That was one of two goals he kicked, but, like Malady, he threatened all day and anchored the forward line with his strength. Also played the second ruck role well, finishing with seven hitouts and looking dangerous when he took it out of the ruck on multiple occasions.
Ireland breaks ice on debut as Casey hold on against Pies
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Desperate, superior, stronger in the contest, but woefully inaccurate.
That was the story for Casey on Saturday night as it held on for a 7.15(57) to 7.6(48) victory at Mission Whitten Oval against a Collingwood VFL side it should have put away by halftime.
Collingwood’s only two goals to the break came via free kicks to tall ruck/forwards Iliro Smit and Mason Cox, yet Casey kicked just three goals itself to lead by 10 points at the main break.
Underlining their first half dominance, led by AFL-listed Jack Billings, the Dees were plus12 in contested possessions and plus-eight in tackles, while only allowing the Pies three uncontested marks in their forward half to the main break.
Billings was well supported by VFL-listed Mitch Hardie and consistent youngster Bailey Laurie in the midfield, the latter scoring the only first quarter goal.
A holding the ball tackle by teenaged halfback Mitch Kirkwood-Scott late in the second quarter was symbolic of the intensity and defensive application the Dees brought.
Casey continued to flex its muscle after the break, with Bailey Laurie helping Casey win 10 consecutive clearances at one point in the third quarter.
Taj Woewodin missed two gettable shots in quick succession to continue the frustrating lack of polish in front of goals, before a deliberate rushed behind by Pies defender Sam Glover gifted Luker Kentfield a straight forward goal.
First year AFL rookie Ricky Mentha’s sustained forward half pressure was then rewarded in stoppage time of the second quarter, with his major extending the margin to 25 points.
But the Pies went on to kick the next three either side of the last break, trimming the margin to just seven.
The Dees were able to neuter the Pies mo-
mentum, though, with Billings extending the margin beyond two goals at the 22-minute-mark of the last quarter, with a set shot deep in the pocket.
Flashy Nar Nar Goon local Paddy Cross then kicked the sealer, an accidental soccer off the ground in the goal square that dribbled through.
The victory lifts Casey into the top 10 ahead of a winnable clash against Essendon this Saturday night at ETU Stadium, Port Melbourne.
IRELAND DEBUTS
Buln Buln junior and first year Casey Demon Patrick Ireland broke through for a debut on Saturday night.
It follows five goals in his past two games in the Gippsland League, and he has been named emergency multiple times in 2025.
The medium forward kicked a second quarter goal in the low-scoring affair, taking a mark and converting the set shot from 40 metres out.
The Gippsland Power graduate made the list following his fabled 111-goal season for 2024 Ellinbank premiers Buln Buln last year.
The debut came on a weekend of great significance for Ireland’s 2025 local club, Leongatha.
Parrots junior and former Essendon captain Dyson Heppell played his first game back at his home club since retiring from the AFL, with his VFL club Port Melbourne having a bye.
Ireland made the move to the Gippsland footy powerhouse for the betterment of his
footy.
BALDI PLAYS HIS ROLE
Riley Baldi’s brilliant season back in the VFL continued on Saturday, containing Collingwood Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell. Mitchell finished with 25 disposals but had his impact nullified, with the hard-nosed Baldi playing well to contain him at stoppages.
Baldi had just 15 disposals, his lowest possession tally of the year, but laid 14 tackles to deny Mitchell first hands on the footy and the ability to feed the Pies ball users with his usual work at the coalface.
FORMER DEE PERFORMS
Speaking to the Pakenham Gazette last week, Dees coach Taylor Whitford spoke glowingly of 2023 and 2024 runner up best and fairest Roan Steele’s rise to the AFL via May’s Mid-Season Draft.
But he also quipped that he hoped for a quiet performance from the newly-listed Pie when Casey faced them the following week.
He would’ve been nervous when Steele got Collingwood within seven points midway through the final term, giving the Pies a chance of sniffing victory of a game they trailed in all the key metrics.
Casey went on to win, but the former Casey Demon ran hard and had some important moments across his 20 disposals.
Ricky Mentha applied pressure in the forward half. (Rob Carew: 466727)
Dandenong’s Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves celebrates one of his four goals with Gippslander Jobe Scapin. (Paul Kane/AFL Photos)
