■ Sporting clubs in the west are buzzing as football pre-season steps up and cricketers eye finals. The Hoppers Crossing Junior Netball Association season started last weekend, and they’re looking for players for all grades in under-11, 13, 15, 17, 21 and open. Games are played from 8.30 on Saturday mornings at Mossfiel Reserve. For more details, call 0413012376.
■ Hoppers Crossing Cricket Club will hold its past players’ day at Hogans Road Reserve on Saturday, when the first XI plays Hampton. Former players and officials are invited to enjoy a few ales and a barbie for $10. The 14th annual Peter Bunworth Memorial Day is at Wyndhamvale Reserve from 11am on Sunday, February 15. For details on either event, call Darren Hellmann on 0413607645 or Bernie Moynahan on 0417509411.
■ Grand United Cricket Club will hold its annual Sportsmens Day from 11am at Parsons Reserve on Sunday. As always, there will be a stellar panel headed by host with the most Sam Kekovich, while special guests are Nick Maxwell and Matthew Lloyd. Tickets are $30 and also cover finger food. There will also be auctions and a few raffles. For more details and tickets, call Daniel Gaylor on 0416147725. The club is doing well, with four players – Wayne Donaldson, Cameron Howitt, Ryan Comensoli and Sahl Chowdhury – making the WDCA under-21 rep team. Another four – Kyle Holden, Kyle Chamberlain, Jarrod Parson and Ben Doll – have been chosen in the Western Metro under-14 team.
■ The WRFL senior interleague squad to play the Eastern Football League on March 28 has been announced and added to in the past few days. Steve Thom and I will do a special one-hour preview show on WYN FM from 5-6pm on Friday, March 27. We’ll talk to the coaches, players and those involved in this great grassroots footy day. The WRFL season kicks off on April 11, with the opening game on 88.9 WYN FM when Deer Park unfurls the premiership flag against Spotswood. Werribee kicks off the VFL season the following Friday, against Geelong at Avalon Airport Oval, at 7.30pm.
■ It’s going to be interesting watching western suburbs sporting heroes Barry Hall and Merv Hughes in the South African jungle in the TV series I’m a celebrity, get me out of here. Merv told me on radio a week ago that he wasn’t the cricketer involved, but I guess that was a contractual obligation. I wish him and Barry all the best.
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Kevin Hillier
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