Sports shorts
Cricket
Footscray Edgewater was well represented in the latest round of Victorian Bushranger contracts announced last week. Star batsman Travis Dean and talented all-rounder Guy Walker were both given full contracts for next season. Dean was a star for the Bushrangers throughout 2015-16, scoring 807 runs, including a stunning century in the Sheffield Shield final against South Australia. Opener Dean, 24, is averaging 44 at first-class level. Walker, 20, made his Big Bash League debut for Melbourne Renegades this season. Also on the list of contracted players are Altona resident James Muirhead and former Hoppers Crossing spinner Fawad Ahmed.
Lacrosse
Defending champions Newport and runners-up Footscray will face off in a much-anticipated Lacrosse Victoria women’s state league grand final re-match at PJ Lynch Reserve tonight. The Porters made a flawless start to the season, downing Caulfield 12-0 in their season opener, while the Scray had a confident 13-5 win over Williamstown. In men’s state league, Williamstown is 2-0, but was made to work hard for an 11-10 win over Moreland at Fleming Park on Saturday. After a bye in round one, Footscray opened its account with a 7-6 win over Camberwell.
Netball
City West has secured its first and second wins of the Victorian Netball League season. The Falcons were too good for ACU Sovereigns on Wednesday, cruising to a 65-41 win, before backing up on Sunday for a tougher 64-56 victory over North East Blaze. The Falcons, now 2-1, will be chasing three in a row when they meet Peninsula Waves at the State Netball and Hockey Centre tonight.
Rugby Union
Footscray cannot take a trick in the Victorian Rugby Union’s top-flight Dewar Shield. The Bulldogs have slumped to a third successive defeat since opening their season with a win. The Doggies ran into a rampant Box Hill and came out on the wrong end of a 41-8 scoreline at Henry Turner Reserve on Saturday. And it will get even tougher as Footscray now travels to play undefeated ladder leader Harlequin on Saturday.
