IN THE DOGHOUSE: Kevin Hillier

■ Someone said to me the other day, “Thank God the Socceroos keep losing, because if they ever start winning, our game is in big trouble”. So how healthy is Aussie Rules? At AFL level we have clubs losing millions of dollars a year being subsidised by the competition. The next level down (VFL) is a hotch-potch of AFL reserves, stand-alone VFL clubs and fully and partially aligned VFL/AFL clubs. Last week, Bendigo advised the competition it was handing back its licence at the end of two winless years. At grassroots level, we have some clubs paying ridiculous amounts to players and others telling players they can’t pay them at all. We have former AFL stars hawking themselves around for cameo appearances in the ’burbs and the bush for anything from $5000 upwards. We’re told participation rates are growing every year. I find this hard to take as I think the influx of females into the game and some other factors have masked a decline in the top age groups. Just look at the WRFL under-18 competition. Glenorden won the under-18 B flag last year but couldn’t field a team this year. In fact, more than half the clubs in the two senior divisions don’t field an under-18 side. That’s not a healthy sign. The standard of the game at suburban level has probably never been better at the top end, but it does fall away. I can see some major issues on the horizon and I hope we don’t see another group of clubs squeezed out of existence.

One club that no longer exists on the playing field is the Footscray and Yarraville Socials who survived from 1943-1975 – a short but very rich history. A number of the club’s players went onto play at the highest level, including Ted Whitten junior, Ian Bryant, Peter Welsh and Barry Bennett. Their annual reunions have gone from strength to strength. This year it’s at the Pound Cafe at Whitten Oval at noon on Friday, July 25. For more information, contact Barry Bennett on 0400848 923 or thom_ben@optusnet.com.au 

■ There will be a cricket theme at the pre-game luncheon at Werribee Football Club before the match against North Ballarat this week when former Australian captain Ricky Ponting is guest speaker. Ponting, an avid North Melbourne fan, will be on stage with senior coach Brad Scott. Tickets are available through Janelle at the club on 9741 9862 or functions@werribeefc.com.au

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