■ I trust all footy fans in the west will head to Ikon Oval (Princess Park) on Saturday to watch the WRFL rep team take on the Eastern Football League from 1pm. The concept of suburban rep teams is a beauty and I hope it continues to grow. While I do have fears for local footy, I still believe it’s essential to the very fabric of the suburbs we live in, and the grounding it gives kids is a blessing. I’m not just talking Aussie rules here but soccer, netball, hockey, baseball and basketball. Team sports are very important to me and I’m thankful I had my chance to play and I’ll give my son his chance, too. Some Saturday mornings at Auskick are easier than others, but it’s great to be involved.
■ John Collins, son of Footscray legend Jack, contacted me with details of a lunch on Thursday (March 26) being run by the AFL Premiership Players Club. The annual sacked coaches’ luncheon is being held at the Reggio Calabria Club in Parkville from noon. Former Bulldogs and Tigers coach Terry Wallace is the host and the panel includes Ron Barassi, Neale Daniher, Greg Hutchinson and Tony Shaw. There’ll be a memorabilia auction and a three-course meal with drinks. Call John for tickets on 0419771535.
■ Wyndhamvale and Glenorden football clubs will meet in a legends game at Glenorden Sports Club in Kookaburra Avenue at 1pm on Sunday. Dean Comensoli will coach the Hawks, while Scott Crawford is at the helm for the Falcons. The Hawks have called on some big names, including Ricky Muscat, Nathan Lovell, Craig Rosenzweig, Christain Innella and Brett Cook, and the Falcons have Nathan Evans. This will be a bit of fun but, make no mistake, some will be more serious than others. The rivalry is a healthy one and both clubs have great respect for each other. But when they meet in the WRFL division 2 later in the year, there will be no beg pardons.
■ Parkside will survive and play in the WRFL division 3 competition this year, which means a bye in division 1 fixtures, while the bye will be gone in division 3. I’m glad the club has survived as it’s one of the two remaining founding clubs. It’s tough for inner suburban clubs to grow, but I’ll do whatever I can through this column and elsewhere to keep a great club like Parkside afloat.
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Kevin Hillier
