■ Local footy is buzzing on the back of the junior finals and this week the WRFL senior finals start. The success of Yarraville Seddon Eagles at the elite level of the junior ranks is a great foundation for the club’s future. The seniors won only one game this year, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel with three junior premierships in A-grade. Yarraville Oval is an iconic football venue and should be part of the top echelon of the local competition – a winning team playing there is needed in the comp. Jesse Smith has done a good job and I hope he continues at the club.
■ The Sunshine Kangaroos are about to go through a major overhaul. Brett Jacobs announced after the last home-and-away game that he would not coach next year because of work and family commitments. Veteran big man Tommy Millar is also hanging up the boots. I’m a big Brett Jacobs fan, but this might be a good thing for both parties. Like many others, I had the Kangaroos in my top three this year. Unfortunately, they never looked like it. On paper, a very good line-up, but for whatever reason they produced very little. Jacobs can reload his coaching career somewhere else and the Kangaroos can start afresh. A cleanout might not be a bad thing.
■ Kicking 100 goals in a season is a fabulous achievement. This year three players in the WRFL second division – Shaun Buttigieg-Clarke (Caroline Springs), Paul O’Shea (Wyndhamvale Falcons) and Damien Yze (West Footscray) – have all achieved this milestone. Coaches talk about defensive zones and shutting down players, but as fans we want to see goals scored and we want to see the local versions of Lockett, Dunstall and Richardson. Yet it’s always great to see a dour defender stop a high-flying forward kicking a bag. I have always thought that fullbacks should be afforded the same accolades as full forwards. For me the ‘Fullback of the Year’ should have the same esteem as the goalkicking award winner.
■ Werribee has a big task travelling to Frankston on Sunday. Win and they play finals; a loss brings Geelong into the picture and Werribee could miss out. Four weeks ago the Tigers were looking a red-hot chance for a top 4 spot, but three consecutive losses have changed that. This weekend will be very interesting.
Kevin Hillier
