Western Border Football League

[ORDoubleBlues]

Was interested to hear KG and Cornes interview former Norwood and Geelong player Grant Tanner for their "where are they now" segment last night.
Said he was living in Portland these days and while he didn't have an official role at the club, he said he did take skills sessions last season under the Coach Brodie Atkinson.
Said he has had 13 operations on his knee and may require a couple more soon. Frightening considering he is only 35.

[am Bays]

The GFC embraced the South East about 5(?) years ago, and has spent a lot of time and $$ nurturing the local area, and it is paying off in absolute spades.

Glenelg country zone has been the SE for as long as I have been associated with the club, which is 1990.

In 1987 we were bringing up blokes like Brett Deane, Stu mcCully for juniors and Andrew McKay.....

No idea how Clarke got to South, he may have been old enough for South to grab him after he came out of juniors but I'll stand corrected.

Borat rest assured judging by the number of trips our DO used to take down there while I was at the club and training camps we have held there Glenelg has always taken the zone seriously.........

[am Bays]

The GFC embraced the South East about 5(?) years ago, and has spent a lot of time and $$ nurturing the local area, and it is paying off in absolute spades.

Glenelg country zone has been the SE for as long as I have been associated with the club, which is 1990.

In 1987 we were bringing up blokes like Brett Deane, Stu mcCully for juniors and Andrew McKay.....

No idea how Clarke got to South, he may have been old enough for South to grab him after he came out of juniors but I'll stand corrected.

Borat rest assured judging by the number of trips our DO used to take down there while I was at the club and training camps we have held there Glenelg has always taken the zone seriously.........

[Rushby Hinds]

Cheers, maybe i should have said "taken to another level" with the pre-season development squads down there, originally run by Bulldog Harris + Froggy Murdoch.


There are three different ones this year, not sure who the three coaches are.

[encostaocean1]

I hear T. George is playing for east this year. can anyone confirm ?

[boags]

I hear T. George is playing for east this year. can anyone confirm ?

Is that Trent George from Cleve? I've heard he can play.

[HappyDemon]

I hear T. George is playing for east this year. can anyone confirm ?

Is that Trent George from Cleve? I've heard he can play.

Tod George maybe. A very good umpire and in his playing days clearly had the mantle of the best George going around. Until Trent of course.

[ORDoubleBlues]

In addition to my comment regarding "SAAFL movements", Matt Kluzek to pull on the boots for East Gambier this season.

[portentous]

Hi all-my first post here so be kind.

RE the thread subject, I lived in Mt Gambier from 1981 until 1988 and my father was vice president at West Gambier for several years.

When we moved down there no-one had ANY interest in the SANFL, most of the locals supported either Carlton or Collingwood.

AFAIK the SA clubs in the WBFL were aligned to Glenelg (a few Westies boys played there including Darren Mansell) and the Vic clubs were aligned to the VFL (can't remember which side tho) Matty Clarke also came from West Gambier, along with Hayden Stephens who played for Woodville IIRC. Plenty of good players wouldn't leave the "small pond" to try out in the big world though.

East used to dominate, along with Portland and Hamilton, thanks largely to the finances of one Allan Scott. We used to watch games from the under 14's right through to the A's every weekend, travelling 100's of k's to do so. Nothing like parking your car on the fence, heater and radio on, and beeping your horn when a goal's scored though.

I beleive that both Adelaide and Port now have substantial followings in Mt Gambier-probably the younger generation jumping on board and also because both sides have spent a bit of time and effort down there in recent years.

[Grimmett]

Some recent league news from the other side of the border. All articles from the Hamilton Spectator.

Emerging Pups the core of Imps' next title tilt
25 February2006
Hamilton Spectator
By By MICHAEL HOWARD

IMPERIALS Football Club is boasting significant riches from its 2005 crop of under-18s, which it hopes will form its core for years to come.


The faces that guided the Bulldogs to Western Border's thirds preliminary final last September will be given the chance to show their wares on the seniors stage in 2006 according to coach Jason Muldoon.

"It is all about giving them opportunities, we are going to try and teach them how to play the game," Muldoon said.

"They are all enthusiastic and have plenty of football ability."

Both individually and collectively, Muldoon is extremely excited about the prospects at his hands, detailing what they can bring to the table.

One player that does excite the first-year senior coach is Brad Rhook.

"He is a nuggetty on-baller. He is hard-nosed, has good leg speed and his skills are good.

"He is definitely ready for seniors."

In fact, Muldoon said that there will "six or seven" from last year's under-18s crop ready for round one.

That will include Jason McIntosh.

"He is 6 foot three (187cm), is coming off a bad ankle injury in the seniors but hasn't missed a session this off-season.

"He is a very big boy and we will look for him to hold down a key back position for us."

At the other end of Imperials' starting 18 will be Josh Cole.

"He is six foot four and a developing ruckman/forward.

"He has great hands and is equally good on the ground as he is in the air.

"He will play forward as much as possible, but will also have stints in the ruck to give Rod (Uebergang) a break."

At his feet will be Stuart Ward, a lightning fast rover who burst on to the senior scene last year with a best on field performance.

"His big plus is leg speed. He is the quickest bloke at the footy club.

"He is a confident kid and nothing phases him. He is down-to-earth.

"He got a taste of senior football and, as can happen for a young bloke, his form dropped off as his senior games went on.

"We are looking to get consistency out of him this year."

The latter is something that Leigh Bubb, captain of Imperials' under-18s last year, gave in spades, having played the most senior games of the emerging Pups.

"We would expect Leigh to rotate through the midfield. He is a strong, inside player and really impressed last year."

Last but not least is Brad Harman, a developing forward who will no doubt benefit greatly from Muldoon's appointment as senior coach.

"Brad is six foot four and a beautiful kick. He has a big body, will get a chance leading out of the goal square and has a good set of hands."

They form a list that the Bulldogs will look too fast-track this season.

"We are going to pump 18 games into some of these guys," Muldoon said.

"We don't expect miracles, but have a big emphasis on giving game time to the young blokes so that two, three or four years down the track we can enjoy the rewards and play finals footy."

It is a path that is familiar for Imperials' supporters.

"It is a special group. They are talented and good mates.

"There is a real correlation to the Cranages, Brophys and Walkers of '95 and there are also the likes of Jack Goss, Tim Edgecombe, Bevan McIntosh, Leo Sharaf and others who are coming through the ranks.

"It is exciting."

The link to Imperials' premiership year (1995) is not a subject Muldoon introduced without thought.

Acknowledging the club's success has been a regular trend for Imps this off-season and is also reflected in two of the Bulldogs' most recent appointments.

Neville Osborn has accepted the role of chairman of selectors and Darren Templeton the football manager position.

"We have tried to get people who have had success with the club in the past involved to get the work ethic into the young blokes.

"Neville is a legend throughout the district and he'll be very handy.

"He will sit on the bench in the seniors and have a lot of input into training and on match days.

"He's very knowledgeable about his football and someone that (assistant coach) Grant (Ewing) and I trust. Importantly, he's also very passionate about Imperials."

Similar can be said of Templeton, a two-time premiership player with the Bulldogs.

"He will be in charge of the football department and report back to the committee.

"He will also have a match-day role with Ossie (Osborn)."

[Grimmett]

DOUG KNIGHTED
2 March2006
Hamilton Spectator
By BY CODY WINNELL

MILLICENT Football-Netball Club has finally named its senior coach for 2006 with Saints' stalwart Doug Lang accepting the role.


Lang, who has played all his football with Millicent except for one season when he coached Kalangadoo in the Mid South East, was the logical choice for the Saints, who have held out naming a senior leader until now.

Former Millicent coach and multiple Western Border league medal winner, Andrew Nitschke, who is the club's football committee president, said Lang was a good signing for Millicent, which was looking for a coach who would "lead from the front".

According to Nitschke, that's one of Lang's most traditional traits.

"He's been around the club a long time and he knows which way the club wants to head. He's a natural leader.

"He understands the aim of the Saints this season is to fill all grades, especially in the juniors.

"If we get the building blocks in place then we're going to be in a good position for seasons to come."

Lang has built a strong reputation over the years playing for the Saints, the on-baller/back pocket consistently being one of Millicent's main possession winners.

Having had previous coaching experience at both senior and junior level, coaching his home club would have been something Lang had in the back of his mind for seasons now.

The opportunity arose this year with 2005 Saints coach Ashleigh Brown returning to Tasmania.

"I'm sure this was always something he thought about," Nitschke said.

"At this stage, given the situation, he saw this as a great opportunity and one that I'm sure he will relish."

Nitschke said the response at the Saints to date had been positive with Tuesday night's training session, where Lang was unveiled as coach, really well attended.

"We had nearly 30 there and all the guys were really positive.

"Everybody is looking forward to the start of season 2006, with the senior guys putting a big onus on encouraging the young players at the club to push for senior games.

"This is going to be strictly a rebuilding year for us."

The Saints have already named a host of key recruits for 2006 with David Dunn and Cameron Viney having already signed, while Nitschke said the Saints were nearly ready to name two more after speaking with them at training.

"We've got a couple more, we're not going to name them just yet, but it shouldn't be far away."

The club has also pushed hard at getting under-18 players back at Millicent.

"A lot of the kids we're getting back had been playing in the Mid South East, but these kids started with Millicent."

As for Justin Cotton and Adam Enright, who have both applied for clearances away from Millicent, Nitschke repeated his comment made in last Thursday's Spectator, "at this stage they're contracted players for 2006".

Millicent has a strong onus on moving forward, one that Nitschke is constantly stressing.

"We're in a good position now. We have all the guys really keen for the new season and we're looking to bolster our stocks at junior level.

"Putting all of this into place is the key for us at this stage and we're confident that we'll reap benefits from it in the future."

[Grimmett]

Marc enjoying role
4 March2006
Hamilton Spectator
By By CODY WINNELL

WESTERN Border Football League Chief Executive Officer, Marc Turri, moved into his office this week and is enjoying his new role with the league.


It's a league that is prospering and easy to market, Turri believing it's far simpler to sell WBFL than it is Victorian Football League.

For the first few weeks sponsorship is on the top of his agenda.

"Sponsorship is a key component of my job but it's an area I'm vastly experienced with," Turri said.

"The response from possible sponsors has been so far very postive.

"Coming from a VFL background it was always much harder to get media exposure for it because the AFL obviously takes up so much of it in Melbourne."

Getting back to the Western District is something Turri is enjoying as Turri was raised in Portland, where he also played the majority of his football.

He assisted Portland Football Club's thirds to grand final berths in 1996 and 1997.

Turri started officially in his CEO post on Wednesday and has enjoyed his time so far.

"It's been really good the first few days, everybody has been really friendly and receptive.

"The next couple of weeks will be a great opportunity to meet even more people associated with the league and I'm looking forward to that."

Turri was to meet for the first time with all club delegates last night.

"I'm looking forward to the meeting. Everyone I've met so far has been interested in my background and very receptive.

"It's going to be great to meet the club delegates."

When it was first announced Turri had been selected for the CEO position, he said it was great "opportunity to be involved in a league I am quite passionate about".

His former football administration experience has seen him Sponsorship and Marketing Manager of Williamstown Football Club and Administration Manager of Williamstown and TAC Cup team Western Jets.

Although that's obviously very vast experience the Western Border role is different again.

"I didn't know what to expect when I first took on the role, but the office setup is fantastic and everybody has been really helpful.

"The communities associated with the clubs in the Western Border are great, they have a really keen interest in their competition."

Turri stressed that he's not just working for the league but for clubs also. And he welcomed any ideas or input that clubs have or may have in future.

"The door is always open," he said about his new office at 44 Gray St.

"I'll generally be available Monday to Friday 9-5pm in the office for clubs to come and see me, but it might pay to ring my mobile number beforehand to make sure I'm in the office."

Turri's mobile number for clubs to contact him on is 0419 399 311.

Already things have been happening with Turri on Thursday talking with a potential sponsor for the league's pre-season competition.

That proposal was to be run past the club delegates last night.

Between now and round one things are going to be pretty hectic through Turri's office.

He expects clearances to come thick and fast as they usually do, plus he's aiming to get all clubs online.

"One major aim is to get all clubs on the internet and setting up emails to improve communication lines between clubs and the league.

"And of course we want to raise the bar for sponsorship. It's a tough challenge because I've only got 6-8 weeks to sign them up in time for the season, but it's a challenge I feel I'm up to," Turri explained.

[Grimmett]

CATS BOOST STOCK
4 March2006
Hamilton Spectator
By By MICHAEL HOWARD

THE pieces are falling into place for Casterton Football Club, with coach Gareth Abrahamson confirming several key signings who are expected to form the Cats' core in 2006.


The signing of school teachers and return of promising young prospects have inflated the Cats' stocks, which will bring a considerably new look to the table in 2006.

The new faces and first-year senior coach have brought a fresh approach to the club, which is enjoying improved numbers at training and is bubbling after a successful "boot camp" at Ballarat.

The latter, held at Pax Hill Scout Group, attracted 20 Cats, a response that Abrahamson described as "reasonable".

"We were happy with that, but a little disappointed that we didn't get more numbers," he said.

"It was a similar training camp to the one conducted by North Ballarat Rebels.

"We were involved for two days in what was a boot camp style. It centred on exercises, sprints and team building. It was good.

"There was a lot of fitness work and team building activities, stuff like climbing timber structures without letting go of each other."

The success of that camp is a further extension of a promising pre-season for the Island Park boys.

"Training numbers have been good," Abrahamson said. "We are regularly getting 30s at training with a further four to five footballers in the Rebels squad.

"The signs are positive."

Clearly, morale is high, which has been boosted by several new recruits committing to the club's cause.

Notable among the Cats' signings is the addition of Dylan Kent, a likely centre half-forward who has joined from West Adelaide, having also spent time with Southern Districts in Northern Territory Football League.

"He is a young guy who was a local and is returning home," Abrahamson said.

"He has played some higher level football and is returning to the area for work.

"He's quite tall, six foot three, and is a developing player."

Abrahamson hopes that Kent will develop into a likely centre half-forward, with the latter no doubt certain to benefit from playing beside the Cats' new coach, who has been one of Western Border's most prolific goal scorers in recent times.

It is a similar story for Nathan Reeves, who is also expected to settle near goals.

"He is a shorter type player, about five foot nine.

"He is working in town as a butcher and, like Kent, is a returning local.

"He is fairly fit and only young and will take on the role of a leading forward."

Importantly, Casterton's recruits also promise to inject greater leadership into the Cats.

Principally, this will come from school teachers Grant Luscombe and Shawn Taylor and veteran recruit Adam Galpin.

Both Luscombe and Taylor have aligned with the Cats after stints in Ballarat Football League, where Luscombe represented East Point.

"Grant is a physical education teacher at Casterton Secondary College," Abrahamson said. "He is very fit and is a hard-running player.

"He has been taking a couple of sessions himself, and will likely play off half-back with mid-distance running his strength."

Taylor is listed as more a utility type, but has quickly made an impression.

"He is extremely fit also. He has played in the Ballarat league and with Port Fairy as well.

"He is also a good leader and could play anywhere, being about six-foot tall."

It is expected that Galpin, who last season played for Bell Post Hill in Geelong and District Football League, will boost the Cats' spine, with the veteran tipped to take the pressure off the likes of Baden Dodd and Adrian Meyer in defence.

"He is not only a good size, about six foot, but he is a reasonably strong fella and is experienced," Galpin said. "He will most likely hold down a key defensive post."

In addition, the Cats' reliance on youth will also be prominent.

Of the up and coming types, Luke Robinson, who played in the Rebels' trial game at the weekend, Dylan Ryan and Josh Norris are all expected to take strides, with Abrahamson noting that Norris was particularly good at the camp.

With a practice match against Horsham Saints at Casterton on March 26 just around the corner, the signs are good.

"I'm a bit excited about it," the coach said. "Once we have our first practice match that will sort a few of them out.

"In the meantime, we will continue training three nights a week."

[Grimmett]

Western Border to penalise rep team no-shows
7 March2006
Hamilton Spectator
By By MICHAEL HOWARD

WESTERN Border Football League's players that turn their back on interleague football will be penalised.


That is the news that emerged from Friday night's league delegates meeting at Casterton Football Club, where clubs conferred over interleague changes, increased computer activity and sponsorship details.

Of those topics, it is Western Border's decision to enforce penalties on footballers that don't put their hands up for representative football that is most likely to promote discussion.

In recent years, the league has allowed players to withdraw from interleague engagements without punishment, but according to league chairman, Craig Keating, that is about to change.

"We have in place the right to issue penalties and will be applying it," Keating said.

"There has always been the ability to do that, but it just gets back to the philosophy of the time.

"We want to take a hard line on that. There will be no soft option withdrawals.

"If it is deemed they occur, penalties will be enforced."

Representative football was a leading topic on Friday night's agenda, which also gave clubs a chance to welcome on board newly appointed chief executive officer, Marc Turri.

"We discussed interleague at length," Keating said.

"Graham Gill is in the process of putting together a team to administer and look after the squad.

"If we are going to be in it, we want to do it properly.

"There will be some changes to the way that we approach the championships.

"It will be no secret that we will be targeting younger players to compete in the shorter, quicker games.

"Notably, the pre-season cup will be a chance to see how the players deal with those sorts of conditions.

"Clubs will also have input into selection. We will be asking for clubs to liaise with the interleague team."

This year, Western Border will journey to Healesville in the Yarra Valley league, with the Blues certain to have a new face leading the team.

According to Keating, Western Border's long-term coach, Peter Sims, is not expected to put his hand up for the job.

Instead, the interleague reins are likely to be handled by a coaching panel, which Keating expects to drive the league from the VCFL's depths.

"We are in Group D at the moment and don't want to stay there," he said.

"I can't see any reason why we can't be competitive with Group A leagues down the track.

"Obviously they have strong competitions and bigger bases to draw from, but we were at that level not too long ago.

"We just need to get the right structure in place."

While interleague was prominent on Friday night's agenda, so too was addressing information technology.

"Computers took up a large portion of the meeting," Keating said.

"As of March 1 all VCFL clearances are handled electronically.

"As part of our training last Tuesday clubs will also submit match reports, results and team sheets on-line.

"It will be more efficient and will be up on the VCFL website much more quickly."

With Turri now on board and marketing the league full-time, sponsorship is also a key agenda item and that was certainly the case on Friday.

Keating said that the league will look at football usage, with Western Border hoping to be consistent with its ball use, rather than mixtures of Berley and Sherrin.

Additionally, the league has announced a new major sponshorship deal, which was orchestrated by Turri.

Beiersdorf (elastoplast) has been brought on board for cash sponsorship, a one-year deal with options for two more years.

The company has claimed naming rights to the league's pre-season cup as well as being the preferred supplier to Western Border clubs for medical tapes.

[Grimmett]

Another old article:

HAMILTON SPECTATOR
Thursday, March 2 2006

By MICHAEL HOWARD

Bulldogs shaping up with little fuss

EAST Gambier's camp is flying under the radar, keeping proceedings low key ahead of its assault on Western Border's 2006 season.
After reaching the heights of a grand final appearance last season, the SA Bulldogs are optimistic that further good times lay ahead, despite what has generally been a headline-free couple of months.
"Things are probably a little more relaxed," East coach, Simon Quinn, said.
"We haven't talked about the grand final a lot so far, but over the next six weeks we will look to get to the level that we have to be at.
"We said after the grand final that we want to take the positives out of it, even though we lost, but to also try and understand fully that because we made one, it doesn't mean we can make it the following year."
In the clearance stakes, East has largely been a non-factor.
With the exception of former Adelaide Crow, Matthew Kluzek, who was signed pre-Christmas, the SA Bulldogs improvement is expected to come within.
Notably, Sam McCracken and Michael Butler are tipped to improve the Dogs' tall stocks, with the duo to return after being sidelined for 2005.
On the downside, promising youngsters Scott Ward and Hamish Harris have aligned with Kalangadoo.
Generally though, East version 2006 should be similar to that which impressed last campaign, though Quinn remained hopeful there may remain a headline in the Bulldogs' pre-season.
"I can't see us recruiting too many big names," Quinn said. "We are speaking to two blokes from Adelaide and the possibility of that coming off is 50-50.
"We are looking to relocate them to Mt Gambier, but might not know where they stand until SANFL trials are over."
As far as needs go, Quinn said the only glaring deficiency in East's line-up is its defensive talls.
"I thought last season that we needed a couple of extra key defenders.
"All year we got along a bit short down back. Tom O'Connor is six foot one and we had no-one else above that. It is one area that we needed to get better.
"It is definitely still a work in progress. We may need to reshuffle things and give our guys the opportunity to push back.
"Tom O'Connor won't be back until round six, so we will look for others to step up and it could mean the likes of myself will go back there and take on a role."
Notably, McCracken and Butler may well prove vital in that regard.
McCracken is a key position type who missed last year due to injury, when he played only one game.
"This year he will have done a full pre-season by round one," Quinn said.
"He is a respected player in the competition and I don't think that we have seen the best of him.
"He is a key defender, no doubt about that and is the type that can match if with a big key forward.
"However, we also want to build on his ability to work in the forward line.
"We want a list of blokes capable of playing one week in defence and the next week producing some good football in the forward line."
Butler, who arrived at East from Kongorong, is expected to be another versatile tall.
"He came across in 2004. Is six foot four and a big left-footer and runs well.
"He is a ruckman /forward but we are sure he can also do a job down back.
"He had last year off, but hasn't missed a beat at training. We are not expecting huge things from him, but are just hoping for a good year of footy."
For now, the Bulldogs are biding their time as the season nears, with Quinn "happy with the numbers and happy with the attitude on the training track" as East continues to attract mid-30s to its training.
"The boys have got their fitness level up after we went pretty hard at it early, then dropped it off the last few weeks and now we'll start to pick it up again for the start of the season."

[Grimmett]

HAMILTON SPECTATOR
Thursday, March 9, 2006

By CODY WINNELL

Tigers' pre-season progressing smoothly

NORTH Gambier's pre-season is moving along steadily in preparation for three practice matches in coming weeks.
The SA Tigers, under the watchful eye of new co-coach Stuart Telford working alongside Peter Collins, are training three nights a week, Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays in a bid to be ready for their first practice match versus Terang on March 18.
The Tigers then face Port MacDonnell one week later followed by Coleraine before the Western Border pre-season competition begins.
Numbers have been positive on the training track for the Tigers according to Telford but there's room for improvement, which is likely to come when local cricket wraps up.
"We're getting about 30 guys there but the struggle is getting everybody available on the one night.
“That's why we’re having three training sessions, to give everybody the chance to attend," Telford explained.
North Gambier's list is likely not quite as strong as 2005 with key players Matt Ward and Steve Hunter moving away.
Replacements have been few and far between at this stage with only three players applying for clearances to North at this stage.
Of that trio two are under 18 years old. The probable key signing is Brian Durbridge, who Telford worked closely with at Kalangadoo.
"He's a good sort, not a big player in size but a real nuggety on-baller. He'll be very handy.
“The other two guys are younger, Branstone is a quick player who looks like he's in for a big season.
"While O'Connor will spend most of his time in the under-18s having not played for a couple of years, but everybody will have their chance to step up to the ones."
Telford said North Gambier's players' fitness was of no concern currently and come beginning of the pre-season it was expected to peak.

[Grimmett]

Magpies buoyed as new faces commit to cause
11 March2006
Hamilton Spectator
By MICHAEL HOWARD

AMID speculation that the Magpies are wavering, Hamilton Football Club senior coach, Glenn Doyle, has responded defiantly and with optimism surrounding the path ahead.


Doyle unveiled promising recruits Terang-Mortlake premiership footballer Joe Kenna and former Gippsland Power squad member Matt Sherry, who have both moved to the area through employment at Roche Mining.

The signings come amid concerns that have filtered around the Magpies' camp over training numbers, which have frequently flirted with single figures.

They are concerns that have been felt by Hamilton's new senior coach, but he was unwavering in his enthusiasm for the upcoming season, which gets underway on April 22.

"Training is improving," Doyle said. "That side has been a challenge, with so many young blokes training with the Rebels and a lot of guys away on holiday or with cricket commitments.

"We have 25 to 30 names for senior football that have trained, but we just haven't been able to get them all together at the one time."

Pressed further, Doyle said that the club had done all it could to motivate its playing personnel and would instead direct its focus at getting the best out of the bunch at its disposal.

"It's one of those things," he said. "As coach of a club, there are certain rules in place.

"If you go and grab every guy by the hand to get them to train it is to the detriment from the guys that regularly turn up because it is time consuming.

"If they want to be there badly enough, they will be. If they want to play, they want to play. It's that simple.

"We are moving forward. I believe that a lot of the young guys have brought a breath of fresh air.

"There are a lot of new faces around and once we get them all out on the track together it will be very exciting."

Which brings us back to Kenna.

The dread-locked rover is expected to prove a significant signing, having been a key component in Terang-Mortlake's consecutive Hampden Football League premierships.

"He is very talented and moves well on the track," Doyle said. "He has good skills on both sides of his body and from what I have been told, he is a very talented type."

Having lost a big chunk of players that played in its 2004 premiership team, to bring in a new face that has tasted grand final glory is a significant coup for the Pies.

"He's experienced some success at Terang and to be able to bring that into the squad is important.

"Having come from a higher standard where he has had success is invaluable and he has been a great contributor on the training track."

Hamilton has also confirmed the signing of Matt Sherry.

Sherry was raised in Gippsland where he played his senior and junior football at Mirboo North and, like Kenna, is working with Roche Mining.

"He made the list at Gippsland Power in the TAC Cup but had to step back because of Osteitis Pubis," Doyle said.

"He has been in Melbourne for the last year or two and spent last year with St Mary's.

"He moves extremely well, is a very strong fella and I expect him to slot in across half-back or half-forward.

"He seems good overhead and his signing has been a big bonus."

Additionally, Matt Taylor, who has an extensive cycling history and has spent a few seasons out of football, has committed to the club and is expected to add depth in the seconds.

These recruits add to the pre-Christmas signing of Phil Currie, the former coach of Heathmere and ex-Portland ruckman, who Doyle expects will "work well in tandem with Tim Robertson in forming our ruck division".

Additionally, former Hamilton thirds footballer Angus McLarty will return to the Magpies and is expected to be a regular senior footballer.

"He has been up in northern Victoria. He moves extremely well and is a left-footer who we expect to play half-forward with time on the ball."

However, while recruits always bring with them a dash of excitement and hype, it is Hamilton's core of developing under-18s who have Doyle most excited.

"Brent Cranage, Sam Payne, Ross McNaughton, Kane Templeton, Ben Williams, Archie Whiting and Tom Whiting are among those training heavily with the Rebels and they will be given opportunities this year, no doubt about it.

"The thing that I have noticed is that they have all got a very good attack on the ball and are extremely quick across the ground."

It is a weapon that Doyle plans on using this season.

"We will be a quick side. We might be a little light, but we will be very quick across the ground."

So it's onward and upward for the Magpies, a progression that Doyle said would be much deserved given the efforts of Hamilton's hard-working committee.

"I can't speak highly enough of our president (Ashley Crow) and the club. There is a lot of passion around the place.

"It has been a bit challenging over the pre-season, but we will get over that and are optimistic.

"Yes, we have lost players, there is no doubt about that. But I am confident that the guys that we have got to work with want to represent Hamilton Football Club and represent it well."

The first fixture on the Magpies' map is a March 26 practice match against Horsham Demons, a significant test given the Demons have snared the past three Wimmera league premierships.

Hamilton will then attend a three-day camp from March 31 to April 2 at Roses Gap on the Western Highway (near Stawell).

Doyle is hopeful that for those fixtures there will be a few more recruits strapped in to black and white guernseys.

"Watch this space," he said. "We are working extremely hard to attract players to the club and it would be fair to say that I would be surprised if we don't have an announcement to make in two to three weeks."

[XXXXRooster]

The Spectators coverage so far is miles ahead of the Border Watch, barely seen a thing in there.

[magpie in the 80's]

had afew games with millicent in 84 under ex sturt player richard hill. had some good players then chris ryan eugene warrior senior andrew bromley and pat butler. anyone know what happende to them

[boags]

Congratulations to Mick Ryan on his 300th game last weekend. 9 Premierships, an Association medal & 4 time B&F. Legend. Fair sign of the strength at South when they had him return from injury through the B's a few years back.
Is Paul Mullen still running around for South?