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WESTERN PORT scoreboard Frankston YCW – New ground, new administration, new coach: things are looking up for the Stonecats after a couple of tough years. They should be better after losing outright twice last season. Hastings – The Blues are back in District after breaching the player points system and Darren Kerr has left to captain Rosebud. Trevor Johnson has moved to POB, Josh Trevitt to Seaford and Danny Helybutt to Rosebud, but the club has retained Scott Phillips, who is super fit, has reportedly picked up Brad Watson from Crib Point.
Sub-district Grade
Red Hill – The big story in the offseason was the signing of star Premier Cricket batsman Simon Dart. He may not lose his wicket this season after carving out a reputation at the top level. Word is Dart wants to dominate and he will. He isn’t the only recruit and the Hillmen will be hard to beat this season. Rosebud – The Buds appear to be the only side to at least challenge Red Hill. Darren Kerr is captain after crossing from Hastings. Jason Nagel remains
coach. Andrew Hitchener may have returned to Rye, and Danny Helybutt has joined Kerr in moving from Hastings and will be keeper. Pearcedale – The Panthers underwent the most exhaustive process to recruit a coach and players during the offseason, but couldn’t land anyone. Kaine Smith is still in charge and there is talk Aidan Bock has returned. The Panthers forfeited in their Second XI at least twice last season. Skye – Jason Hartigan has been appointed coach. Skye will be a young side this season, but can challenge for third or fourth position, the only spare spots in the top bracket. Seaford Tigers – Craig McIndoe is coach and was still looking to land a big fish before the season started. Corey Hand won the league medal last year and the team also has Warren Junkeer from Carrum. The big fish might come from the Lions. Carrum Downs – There was plenty of talk in the off-season the Cougars might lose Chamara Perera, but he has stayed, a good result for the club. Tootgarook – Once again, everything
this year will centre around young gun Matt Whelan. There is plenty of optimism for the Tooters this season as the club celebrates 50 years. Tyabb – Luke Rus is captain and club legend Greg Burch is the new coach, having been captain-coach of the team in 1986-87. The Yabbies were hoping to recruit some of the Cranbourne connection from the football club to slip on the whites. Dromana – The difference between the good and the bad at Dromana last season was significant. Consistency and consolidation are the keys for the Hoppers. Balnarring – Relegated from District cricket, the club will be looking at some of its talented 16- and 17-year-olds to have an impact and gain valuable First XI experience. The club has been able to hang on to the squad from last season. French Island – There has been a call for years to have French Island move from A1 to Sub-district. The Islanders will be competitive and have a winning culture.
Keeping a straight bat: Grant Masterson hooks in a Twenty20 fundraiser match played in Hastings. Picture: Andrew Hurst
Bombers make a Proud appointment FOOTBALL By Toe Punt PENINSULA Division team of the year full-back Duncan Proud is the new coach of Frankston Bombers. The Bombers made the appointment last Thursday after interviewing a number of candidates. It is understood assistant coach Brad Wakeling and Mornington’s Barry Smeeton also applied for the job and were interviewed. Proud, who has been vice-captain at Karingal for a number of seasons, has never coached, but this didn’t deter Frankston Bombers president Chris “Batty” Sharman. “We went through an exhaustive process and I was very happy with the due dilgence we carried out to ensure we got the right person for the coaching job,” Sharman said.
“Duncan presented extremely well and we were very impressed with his interview. We spoke with a number of people to obtain their thoughts and it all pointed in the direction to get him on board. “There is obviously going to be some talk about the fact he’s never coached, but everyone starts their coaching career at some point.” Sharman said Tony Blackford [the Bombers’ previous coach] hadn’t coached senior footy when he went to Berwick and “he is a three-time premiership coach at three clubs”. “We have a wonderful leadership group at the club and we are keen to attract some off-field assistance for Duncan.” He said the club was excited about the appointment and very confident it could continue to improve next season. Karingal president Daniel Watts said
By Tony Murrell AN ambitious campaign is underway to revitalise Frankston’s community spirit and secure the future of the city’s VFL team Frankston Dolphins. A group of businesspeople under the banner of Proudly Frankston will officially launch the community-wide push at a lunch on 25 October. The comprehensive plan includes development of a 500-seat entertainment centre at Frankston Park, plus youth and community programs. Concept plans for the new entertainment centre, to be built above the existing social rooms and fronting Plowman Place, will be unveiled and explained at the lunch at Frankston Park. Frankston Council, the state government, AFL Victoria and the Dolphins’ management are supporting the development. Proudly Frankston campaign leader Alan Wickes said the social centre is seen as a way of securing the club financially, guaranteeing that VFL football not only survives but thrives in Frankston. The Dolphins are the only original standalone club in the competition, playing against AFL clubs such as Collingwood, Geelong and Essendon. Proudly Frankston includes businessmen and educators, some of whom
are former Dolphin coaches and players, who are winning support from Frankston Business Chamber, service clubs, sporting clubs and schools for an agenda of social inclusiveness. “The new social centre will be iconic, a magnet for large community events and a source of community pride for Frankston residents,” Mr Wickes said. “We want its development to be a catalyst for far-reaching community initiatives involving groups and organisations that have already offered their support. “Our plan is to showcase Frankston’s wonderful assets and help launch programs that promote leadership and employment,” said the former Frankston coach and long-time Frankston businessman. “We will work and network with – and support in any way we can – any organisation in the city that promotes participation in sport and communitybuilding activities, particularly those encouraging involvement by young people. “We want to touch every part of this great bayside community.” Mr Wickes said Proudly Frankston, an initiative of the Dolphins, had a vision to use sport as “a way of tackling key community issues such as lifelong learning, healthy lifestyles and social inclusion”.
he was disappointed to lose Proud, “but Karingal Football Club sends him to Bombers with our best wishes”.
Tigers on the prowl DROMANA is ready to announce key signings in coming weeks. Coach Gavin Artico called me last week and said “get your pen ready; we’ll have some news in the coming weeks”.
Jewell to Rosebud FORMER Sorrento key forward Nick Jewell is the new coach at Rosebud. Jewell, who spent time on Richmond’s list, coached Heatherton last season and was keen to get the Rosebud job. He was a very interested onlooker during Rosebud’s finals series. Jewell beat a number of applicants, including sacked Frankston Bombers’
coach Tony Blackford. Jewell, a former star Victorian batsman, is captaincoach of Sorrento this season and still holds a part-time coaching role at Frankston-Peninsula, where he was head coach for a number of seasons. Jewell will be an exceptional coach at Rosebud in season 2013.
Sharks not Green THERE are still plenty of rumours about former Melbourne captain Brad Green coaching Sorrento next season. Green is keen to coach and there is talk Greater Western Sydney Giants was considering him for a role in Sydney. The powerbrokers at Sorrento like to have a big name at the helm to ensure the club maintains its high profile in the peninsula footy market. It’s worked for the club – it gets 100 people at $80 a head at nine
home games each season. A club spokesperson said no formal meetings had been held with Green. The spokeperson said the club would look no further than Nick Claringbold if it decided to go for a non-playing coach.
Kangas on the move LANGWARRIN is expecting former Hawthorn player and Box Hill star Beau Muston to play with the club in 2013. Muston played a couple of games for the Kangas this season. Meanwhile, Shane Urbans was a popular winner of the club’s best and fairest award. He played all his junior games at Langwarrin before heading to Pearcedale, where he is a life member. He returned to Langwarrin to finish his career and there is no sign of him slowing down.
Dolphins out to revive city’s spirit
Proudly Frankston: Leading the charge to revive Frankston’s and the Dolphins’ fortunes are, from left, Kevin Johnson, Alan Wickes and Ken Jungwirth.
The plan is wide-ranging and still evolving, said Wickes, who in early September became facilitator of Frankston District Junior Football League’s Youth Leadership Program. The three-stage program targeting 13-, 14- and 15-year-olds is based on international research that identifies teenagers as effective role models as well as teachers. “Our campaign must, in the end, engage the next generation of young peo-
ple and help guide them in their personal development,” said Wickes, who also is a past president of Frankston’s junior football league. Proudly Frankston is already working with Greater Frankston Business Chamber and service clubs. “We are building relationships and partnerships through networking with groups committed to a better Frankston. “As much as possible we will sup-
port small and medium businesses, which are the major investors and employers in our community,” Tickets for the midday lunch on 25 October are $165 and include a threecourse meal, Mornington Peninsula wines and entertainment by Frankston High School’s best young musicians. Details: Alan Wickes, 0417 351 568 or thinkingpeople@bigpond.com
Western Port News 2 October 2012
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