Cricket finals start this weekend and one potential big match-up is off the table, with Hoppers Crossing and Werribee avoiding each other in the first week of sub-district. Hoppers finished the season with a nail-biting loss to Elsternwick, falling three runs short chasing 207 to finish fifth on the ladder. They now play away at second-placed Caulfield this weekend. Werribee had one of its worst batting performances of the year, all out for 118, to surrender to Ormond and finish fourth; it now plays Yarraville at Yarraville. Werribee has three of the top 10 batsmen in the competition: Shaun Dean, Matt Dean and Tim O’Brien, as well as Jono Burton, who’s been on fire with the ball, taking 16 wickets since breaking into the first XI after Christmas. Werribee blasted Yarraville in the first game of the season at Yarraville with Matt Dean making 132 and brother Shaun an unbeaten 91. Playing away is a worry for both sides, but especially Hoppers against the powerful Caulfield. Good luck to both Hoppers and Werribee and let’s hope they can meet in a final at some stage.
■ A couple of local football clubs are in big trouble heading into the new season. One is West Footscray, which has been around since 1926 and has played in the past two grand finals. Unfortunately, the club has lost a lot of players and had two senior coaches resign. Nick Diker was first to go and now Scott Lobb has quit just five weeks before the season begins. The club is looking for players and, provided you’re capable, you can be sure of getting a game given the current numbers at training. Interested players should turn up to Shorten Reserve any Monday or Wednesday night. The club is holding a season launch and anyone who cares about West Footscray’s future and wants to be a part of it should be at 540 Barkly Street, Footscray, from 7pm this Saturday. More on the other club in trouble in future columns.
■ Bulldogs fans are smiling after what they saw in week one of the NAB Challenge. Forget the result, it was the way they played that made me happy. I was very pleased with Tom Campbell, who I believe is in for a big season. We’ve waited patiently for him to produce the goods and I think this year he will emerge as a regular senior player. The results of the games are pretty meaningless, but they’re still good to watch even if you’re not winning.
Any news, let me know on email kevin@howdypartnersmedia.com.au. Follow me on Twitter @KevinHillier, plus check out the Howdy Partners Media website as well.
