■ What a day Saturday turned out to be for footy lovers in the west, highlighted by the gallant performance of the Bulldogs in the elimination final against Adelaide at the MCG. The way the boys started, I thought it was going to be a cracker of a game, and it was. My mate, sports journalist Rohan Connolly, rated it the best game of the season and a final for the ages. Yes, I was gutted for the Dogs not to win, but if you’d told me at the start of this season they would make the finals and play some of the most attractive football of the year I’d have taken it. I’m normally footied out at this time of the year, but I can’t wait for 2016 to see where Luke Beveridge can take us. Go Doggies.
■ The WRFL division 1 grand final on Saturday was played in perfect weather. It also provided a near-perfect game from Deer Park to win a third consecutive flag. Everyone was expecting a robust start, but it was anything but with Werribee Districts done and dusted by quarter-time. Deer Park was excellently coached by Marc Bullen and Districts had no answers. Kwame McHarg’s reputation as a gun suburban footballer continues to grow; he added another best-on-ground Herb Pascarl Medal to his trophy cabinet. Congratulations to the Lions on winning by the largest margin in the history of division 1 grand finals: 136 points. They can now celebrate then set their sights on 2016 and try to become the first club to win four in a row. James Condos, another exceptional suburban footballer and good bloke, announced his retirement but, no doubt, will stay involved at the club in a coaching role.
■ Werribee Districts are a much better side than they showed on Saturday, that’s for sure. In only their second year in the senior competition they have made both finals series. Wade Chapman has done a great job as senior coach but announced on Saturday that he was stepping down for family reasons. That’s a pity as he’s rated very highly in the football world. I also believe a few of the Districts’ alumni are returning next season … for instance, the talented Prismall brothers, Brent and Rhyce. While they may not play every game because of work commitments (Brent at the VFL Bulldogs and Rhyce as a firefighter) their return is a big boost. The coaching job will be much sought-after, and whoever gets it has a lot to work with. Also, you can expect an announcement on the St Albans coaching job in a week or two.
