■ Footscray Bulldogs got the bragging rights in the first VFL clash against Werribee Tigers at Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday. Bulldogs skipper Nick Lower accepted the cup, which doesn’t yet have a name. The clubs plan to sit down and discuss a name and I’m hoping readers of this column can help. There have been some suggestions, such as the Western Cup, while another idea is to name it after players who have graced both clubs, like Dale Morris, Ben Hudson and Ian Dunstan. It’s hard to decide which way to go on this. Is it a regional trophy, or should it be about a player or official? I’m happy to hear your thoughts. Back to the match, and the Bulldogs were just too good on the day, winning 17.10 (112) to 10.12 (72). It was interesting for me as I’m a Bulldogs life member and a 10-year employee of Werribee Football Club. Trust me. I got comments from both sides on Sunday.
■ Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon and his wife, Kerri, and Brett Montgomery and his wife, Terri, are the new owners of the cafe at Whitten Oval. It was known as the Pound Cafe, but now it’s going under the banner of the Barkers Cafe. The name was suggested by Ben Graham’s wife after several Peter Gordon suggestions were, thankfully, rejected. Would you be happy to meet someone at The Boner? I think not. The menu looks fantastic and it seems the cafe is in good hands. Peter and his board have a vision for Whitten Oval which will see it become an even bigger icon of the west.
■ An email I received last week highlighted the plight of some local football clubs that are struggling to survive. The email detailed how player payments are about to kill a particular club. It appears nobody plays for nothing these days at any level of football and the club in question is looking at a number of options, which include shutting the doors completely, moving to the Ammos, becoming a junior-only club or dropping a division and not paying players. This is a club with a successful history, a premiership club of recent times. I also know they aren’t the only club in this position and we’re going to see ‘Gone Fishing’ signs at some clubs in the near future.
■ This weekend is the last round of home-and-away games and a reminder to check the WRFL website, wrfl.org.au for the weekly segments with Steve Thom and myself.
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