■ My thoughts on women’s football could fill many pages of this paper, not just this column. I have believed from the start that the AFLW competition was rushed into existence for all the wrong reasons. Personally, I don’t care who was the driving force – the AFL, Channel Seven or whoever. We all know it is an evolving spectacle, but let me use a showbiz analogy. If I have a play or musical, I hone the script, the songs, the actors, the sets – everything. When it is good enough to warrant the media attention, the ticket price and the eyes of the world, I bring it to Broadway. There is no guarantee people will like it, but I am presenting the best possible product. The AFLW should have been developed the same way. Low-scoring, low-skill games would not then attract the same scrutiny as they currently are. The game will develop into a quality product worthy of all the attention and money. At the moment it is not. That is not the fault of the players, yet they are the ones in the firing line. Coaches are trying to win games because that is their job. They don’t get bonuses for presenting a game that looks good. I would never question the commitment of the players and their courage at times is beyond fearless. But there are many areas to address before the women’s game deserves the title of elite sport.
■ Grand Uniting Cricket Club will host its sportsman’s day this Sunday at Parsons Reserve from 11am. The star-studded line-up will include MC Sam Kekovich and premiership players Tony Shaw and Nick Vlastuin. It will be a massive day of fun, auctions, raffles and the usual. Tickets ($30) are available from Alan Hale on 0402 307 492 or grandunitedcc@gmail.com. Williamstown CYMS Cricket Club lined up some heavy hitters for its long lunch on Friday, February 23, at Fearon Reserve. Former test cricketers Greg Ritchie and Bobby Quiney will be guest speakers. Tickets through Simon Hine 0418 582 524 or simon.hine@ksgroup.com.au.
■ Jono Burton completed a very good bowling performance, adding three more Yarraville scalps to his hat-trick to finish with figures of 22.2-10-6-30, a match-winning effort for Werribee in VSCDA north-west first XI. The win puts the Tigers in the six and Yarraville out. Congratulations to Yarraville stalwart Graham Jarry on his recent life membership of the subbies.
