■ I think sledging issues have gotten out of hand. In the past few weeks, I’ve heard opinions expressed that to me don’t ring true. There is no room for racist comments or personal attacks, we all know that, but banter between players is part and parcel of the game of cricket. I agree that bullying has no place in the game either, but it will be a sad day when a fast bowler can’t ask a batsman if he would like a piano instead of a bat because he might be able to play that better than the ball he just missed. Unfortunately, the humour seems to have gone out of the banter and it has become more personal. Is that true at local level, where I have seen a few words escalate into some very physical encounters? I am keen to hear from current players in regards to where the banter sits these days.
■ Simon Garlick’s resignation from the Bulldogs is yet another major change to the structure of the club in the past few months. The CEO, senior coach and captain of 2014 are all gone. Whether this is good or bad is irrelevant – it is fact. The Bulldogs have a very big year coming up with the return of AFL football to Whitten Oval in a few weeks and the opening of the social facility at Edgewater mid year. The new chief executive is going to have to hit the ground running. Simon served the club well and I hope he will continue to be involved as a past player because that’s an area where the Bulldogs have struggled to maintain a connection between the club and its past.
■ The WRFL farewells Lyn McLeod from the office this week. Lyn has done a great job over recent years and is heading to Essendon Football Club as events manager. Also in the WRFL, former Spotswood premiership coach Chris O’Keefe has recruited Chase Morgan and Will Phillips to join him at Bungaree, and Deer Park is welcoming back Shannon Broadbent and Ryan Crawford. If you hear any other local footy moves, please let me know.
■ Werribee Masters Football Club has started training for 2015 and is looking for players. The old boys play and train out of Wyndhamvale North Reserve in Honour Avenue, and to be eligible you have to be aged 35+. Training is every Thursday from 6.30pm and games are played fortnightly. If you are keen for a kick, call Greg Cotter on 0458 140 721. Masters is a great idea and very much a social way to have a kick and stay in touch with the game.
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