Alberton prepared for season 2011
Back-to-back hopefuls: Foster will be aiming to make it two in a row in this season’s AFL competition.
ALBERTON Football League president John Schelling said that this season’s football preparations were “business as usual”.
After enjoying a good off season, the league will be raring to go when season 2011 rolls around.
“We’re going pretty well at the moment. Most clubs have a full set of teams and they’re recruiting well,” Mr Schelling said.
Questions have been raised about the fairness of the league given the size of communities, but the president said no official complaints have been made.
“We’re always looking at new, better ways to improve the league,” he said.
“The league is aware of population differences, and it is something we will be monitoring in the future.”
Mr Schelling suggested that the league could look at a two-tiered structure to help solve fairness problems.
Travel was another issue, given that the league sees clubs in Yarram and as far west as Phillip Island.
“Some clubs in the league don’t like travelling west, but some of the younger kids like the idea of that,” the league president said.
“Kids who are in Melbourne for uni or work like the idea of travelling shorter distances to play their footy. That way they can go straight home again from away games.”
Mr Schelling said that complaints of travel have been made for years, and there will be no changes to the current league structure for this season.
The league will be attempting to see two matches with a full combine of umpires (including goal and boundary umpires) this season.
MDU
Meeniyan Dumbalk United are welcoming a few new players to the club this year from far and wide.
Scott Clark and Clint Johnson are new players from the local area while they have also recruited Marcus Wilson from Black Rock.
Along with these new players the club has an eye on some young blood coming up from the Thirds team of 2010.
The Demons have lost a few players with Ryan Harris and Tim West, both club Best and Fairest winners in Seniors and Reserves respectively, leaving after last season.
The Seniors have two practice matches coming up, one that will mean a lot to the players.
The Demons will take on Seaford in a match to honour Donny Epa who tragically passed away last year.
The ground at Meeniyan has had some drainage work implemented to prepare it for the upcoming season.
New lights have also been installed on the light poles for enhanced vision in late night training sessions for the Seniors.
Korumburra-Bena
The Bulldogs welcome a new Senior coach this year in Peter Helms, as last season’s player-coach Dean Alger hangs up the boots.
The club is also excited to welcome back players from various clubs in the area who still need to be cleared before being
announced.
Lots of work has been put into the ground at the Korumburra Show Grounds to make sure the playing surface is in top condition for the start of the season.
In preparation for the season the team has three practice matches in store, as well as having an all day Seniors training day last Sunday.
Korumburra-Bena also just hosted their legends match, which will be their first function of the year.
Stony Creek
The Lions, like many other clubs, are awaiting the confirmation of clearances before revealing recruited players but have a few new players in the pipeline.
Lucas McMillan and David Veale have left the Seniors team since the end of last season.
To prepare the club for next season they have two practice matches scheduled in March against St Francis and Poowong.
Brad Hutchinson is staying on as coach of the Lions Seniors.
Tarwin
Jamie Cann will once again coach the Seniors at Tarwin this year. The Sharks are still yet to announce recruitment of players as they wait on clearances to be signed.
“We’re also happy at the number of young kids coming up into the Seniors from last year’s Thirds team,” club president Dean Ellen said.
The Sharks have been working on the social rooms over the off season giving them a fresh look with a new coat of paint.
“The ground is looking beautiful due to the rain we’ve had over the summer and should be in top notch condition for the start of the season” Ellen said.
Tarwin are also opening their doors to any keen young footballers in the area who wish to join the Fourths team, they are very welcome to attend training on Thursday nights.
Inverloch-Kongwak
Mick Ford has stepped up for the Sea-Eagles from a player to coach for the 2011 season.
The team has two practice matches planned for March which should give them some good experience under their new coach. The social rooms are currently being revamped with upgrading to the ceiling, lighting, carpets and paint work with all new material.
Other upgrades made to the grounds are a new equipment shed which will be used for equipment storage.
“Numbers for the Seniors and Reserves are at good levels this year,” the Sea-Eagles secretary, Tim Richardson said.
“Although the under 18s are a bit light.” So any young footballers, feel free to contact the club about training and you will be most welcome.
Fish Creek
The Kangaroos have big plans for the social rooms at Terrill Park this year.
A new balcony on the second storey of the building is planned to be constructed to overlook the oval.
The club is waiting on permits to be passed before construction can get underway.
Club secretary Mick McLoughlin said “This will be an excellent upgrade to the social rooms.”
The Seniors’ numbers are looking good in Fish Creek, with total Seniors list from last season retained apart from two players. Unfortunately this includes last season’s Best and Fairest winner Chris Graham.
Fish Creek has also picked up a couple of new players from the area which is exciting for the club.
“Any younger players who wish to come down for a training session with the Under 18’s are most welcome” McLoughlin said.
Foster
New fittings and upgrades now reside in the Tigers’ den.
Over the off season the Foster club has upgraded all fittings in both the home and visitor change rooms.
Premiership coach Dean Duursma will stay on as the club aims for another premiership under his direction.
The Tigers are sad to see the loss of players Josh Bowman, Casey Ratcliff and Brett Eddy as they move to other clubs and leagues.
Like many of the other teams, Foster has some practice matches in the diary for the month of March which should set them up well for the season.
The goal for the team this year is to strive for back-to-back premierships and aim for a perfect season which they just missed out on last year.
Toora and District
The Magpies have been negotiating with several players and expecting a few new comers to be making appearances at trainings soon.
Junior football at Toora is struggling, with co-president Daniel Knee saying “The club is calling for any budding young footballers to come along to Fourths training and the club will be more than welcoming.”
Upgrades are soon to be completed around the club as the Magpies are waiting for extra funding to apply the finishing touches.
Dalyston
The Magpies president Paul Dunlop said their home ground is the best he’s ever seen it.
This is due to the new irrigation system which has been installed over the off
season.
“This as well rendering of the club rooms, will make the place look very different,” Dunlop said.
The Senior team is striving to be the most prepared for 2011, beginning training in October last year.
“They had a small break over Christmas but got straight back into it mid January,” Dunlop said.
Numbers are good for Dalyston again this year, which keeps the club strong.
Kilcunda-Bass
They have lost a few players at the Panthers but there are plenty of new recruits coming in to take their place as well as a new senior assistant coach in Tim Smith.
The team has lost about six players from last season’s list but assure us that there are new recruits on the way.
Seniors have been training since before Christmas and have three practice matches lined up for March, which will ensure they are extra prepared for what the season has in store.
“We’re very pleased with the work of the Bass Coast Shire at maintaining the grounds over the break,” club president Luke Hill said.
The Panthers have also made upgrades around the ground by installing new goal posts for the upcoming season.
DWWWW
The Allies are excited for the start of the season and the opportunity to show off their brand new relocated electronic scoreboard.
“The electronic scoreboard is a major upgrade for the club and we can’t wait to put it to use this season,” club secretary Gary Farley said.
This is following in the footsteps of the Korumburra-Bena club who installed their own electronicscore board during last
season.
These new electronic upgrades look to be the direction that the league is heading regarding technology.
The Allies are also happy about a group of young players returning from Welshpool after the splitting of their club two years ago.
“Most of the boys played in the Allies Under 18s team before the split and we’re glad to have them back again playing seniors for the club,” Mr Farley said.
Yarram
Jeremy Reid, hailing from Rosedale, has taken on the roll of Yarram Seniors coach for the 2011 season.
Jeremy will be leading roughly the same line-up as last year minus a few players.
“We’re waiting on confirmation on a new recruit, Clinton Paterson from Melbourne, to join team,” club president Peter Jenkins said.
The Demons have been training since December and have practice matches against Hayfield and Hawthorne Amateurs planned for the lead-up to the season.
“Numbers are going pretty well for us considering three clubs are coming from the one town,” Mr Jenkins said.
Phillip Island
“The Cowes Recreation Reserve is looking immaculate due to the hard work of the council which we’re very grateful for,” president Barry Stride said.
“The ground has even attracted the attention of clubs in other leagues with requests for a chance to train on it.”
The Bulldogs are happy with the numbers for this year with players returning from injury and new players joining the club, but of course more are always welcome.
Phillip Island are preparing to also lose two young stars, Mitch Pryce and Sam Docherty to the Gippsland Power team.
“It’s exciting news for the boys and we’re happy with their progress into the Gippsland Power team.” Stride said.
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