■ Sport can bring out the best and worst in people. We often hear about the ugly parent syndrome permeating junior competitions and poor spectator behaviour is never far from the headlines. When sport is good it is really good. My nine-year-old is footy mad – wonder where he got that from? Last Saturday he came to our WYN FM Match of the Day at Hoppers Crossing for a visit to watch dad work. Naturally, he wanted to have a kick on the ground between games – and so did a lot of bigger older boys who headed to the same goal square to kick their goal of the year. This had speeding ball in the head, big kid bumps little bloke into the car park, name your disaster written all over it. But that’s not what unfolded. The big boys were kicking their 50-metre torps but they were also mindful of the little redhead kicking his drop punts from 15 metres and even fetched the ball for him. Sarah and I both commented on how good the boys had been. It was only a small thing, but one that said something about a generation often branded as being totally self-absorbed.
■ Werribee Centrals go into the Geelong and District Football League interleague bye weekend sitting in fifth with three wins and three losses. The club will mark its 30th year in the league with a big day on Saturday, June 14, combining its past players day with a heritage theme. The club will wear specially designed jumpers and celebrate the inaugural reserves and seniors premiers of 1984 and the most recent premiership side of 2004. If you have been involved at the club over the years, it would love you to be part of the day. Inquiries on 0408 381 842 or .
■ I wonder if Centrals have invited Victorian Premier Denis Napthine who played a few games while doing his veterinary studies at Werribee. In fact, he played in one of the most famous games in the history of the club. Let’s just say shots were fired – but not at goal, and not with a Sherrin.
■ Jess Cameron has swapped her green-and-gold Australian cricket top for a Wyndhamvale jumper as she spends the winter playing in the women’s footy league for the Falcons. The Wyndhamvale women are undefeated two rounds into the season. Women’s football is a fast-growing participation sport and it is good to see an avenue being opened up for those who have a passion for the game. Female players, umpires, presidents and club members can only be good for the long-term future of the game.
Kevin Hillier
