THE MAGPIE ‘WARBLE’ www.merbeinfc.sportingpulse.net PRESIDENTS REPORT TONEY HURLEY Issue 7, 2015

Welcome home Colin Sylvia……... the win. Brad Duscher continued his great form with DATES TO I don't think our 160+ game AFL star needs much of another bog performance. Now the boys are in the REMEMBER an introduction to our supporters. I'm sure we have four I'm sure they will continue to climb the ladder. all proudly followed Cols career whether it be with 'Joeys juniors' went down narrowly against the Ti-  6th June Beer & BBQ Melbourne or Freemantle football clubs. gers but continue to improve each week. It was Night— great to see Lobster O'Neil getting amongst the Welcome goals with a lazy 6. New player Ethan Lynch played Cols last game with our club was back in our 2002 home Colin premiership side as a 16yo. his best game since joining us. Collucch, Lingy, Spud Sylvia Who would ever have thought that both Ben and Burkey also played good games. Duscher and Colin Sylvia would have been playing  Date ‘TBA’ for our club in 2015? It doesn't get any better than Our B grade netball side won their first game in a 1975 Prem- this. number of years with great team effort. Fantastic iership Reun- work girls. ion Last week our senior side did us proud again alt- A grade also had their first win of the season. our hough losing our first game in awhile by a meagre 6 u/17 div 1 side who are flying the flag on the courts  20th June points to last seasons premiers. To fight back after sitting fourth on the ladder had their 4th win of the Merbein & being down by some 5 goals is testament to their season last week. Wentworth new found will to win. Big thank you to the junior club who have jumped Community Hopefully this week the boys kick straight early and on board this weekend to make Cols homecoming Bank Cup Challenge put together a four quarter performance similar to game a family day with all Merbein football and one they played against Irymple. netball teams participating on this special day.  4th July After the game lets all get over to the social rooms With Imperials being the benchmark this year we Black & White for the 'barby & beers night with Col'. This is also a will get a true indication on how far we have come Ball ‘Hall of thus far. games night with plenty of fun activities to be had. Fame’ Darts, pool, handball comp, netball shootout, beer 'Tungys Two's' won their fourth game on the trot pong etc. Major Raffle last week with a great team effort. With Tommy Drawn Kennedy continually hitting 'buddy' Harradine lace Go Pies! out to hand him several of his goals helped set up Hurls  1st August Draw 4000

MFNC THANKS ALL SPONSORS

Major Sponsor Major Sponsor Major Sponsor

 DM Linemarking  Merbein Citizens Club  Merbein Hotel

 McGintys Butchery  Toney Hurley Paving  Shane & Megan Ruyg Merbein Football  Trevor Malic Concreting  Laurie McCarthy  Transpacific (Cleanaway) Netball Club

THE MAGPIE WARBLE Page 2 MFNC FOOTBALL COACHES REPORT

Poor kicking is poor football…… Maturity!

After a slow start to our Red Cliffs game we got our game together in the last half to hit the front just before the end of the contest but Leadership? could not quite hang in til the final siren and went down by 6 points. Positives to come from the loss are many;  We never give in, we keep sticking to our plan and it has been working for us to date.  Our fitness is right up there with the other teams but we cannot afford to let sides get away early in the game we must stop this from happening.  It seems if we have players down on form for any reason some one else steps up to lead the team this is a credit to the playing group, it shows maturity and leadership.

With a loss also highlights our negatives in this case it was our kicking for goal and disposal in general that let us down, we are better than that and must be better to compete with the good sides.

This week is a huge game for us up against the top side and rightly so as they are chock full of talent and aggression, we will need to bring our A game, our prepa- ration and want to win needs to be paramount in our minds all week.

I BELIEVE in everyone that runs out wearing the Merbein jumper. If they come to play with a winning mind set we will win!. Good luck……..

‘Johnsey’

Now Johnsey,…….you didn’t really think you could escape this BRILLIANT effort

FOOTBALL did you??

MERBEIN—SENIORS Goal Kickers: J. Fallon 3, C.O'Brien 3, B. Duscher 2, L. Riordan, J. Weinert, A. Arden, J. Guthrie Best Players: J. Kitt, J. Cavallo, A. Mitchell, B. Duscher, L. Riordan, J. Weinert

MERBEIN—RESERVES Goal Kickers: M. Harradine 5, B. Congress 2, T. Harra- dine , M. Timmis , C. Smith , T. Kennedy Best Players: B. Duscher , M. Harradine, J. Wilson, T. Harradine, D. Cavallo, M. Young

MERBEIN—U18’S Goal Kickers: L. O'Neil 6, C. Price Best Players: L. O'Neil , A. Coluccio , L. O'Neill , E. Lynch, P. Argiro, C. Burke

Col Sylvia grew up in Merbein where he played his junior football with MFNC. At just 15 years of age, Sylvia made his debut for the Merbein seniors in the Sunraysia Football League and was a member of Merbein's 2002 prem- iership side. As an 18 year old, Sylvia moved to to advance his junior football and chances of being drafted into the AFL.

AFL CAREER Sylvia was taken with the third selection in the 2003 AFL Draft by the Mel- bourne Demons, but was held back in his debut season due to a groin injury. The 2005 season saw Sylvia

play 16 senior games and earn a Rising Star nomination. His season was cut short due to a shoulder dislo- cation while playing for the Demons' VFL affiliate, theSandringham Zebras.

Sylvia entered the 2006 season coming off solid form in the pre-season, and was regarded as one of the most talented young players in the league. However, the Demons selected him sporadically in the senior side, appearing to be unsure as to what position he should play.

In Round 14 2008 Sylvia kicked a career best four goals in Melbourne's thrilling one point win over the Brisbane Lions.

In 2009, Sylvia had his best year at the club averaging 22 disposals and kicking 17 goals. In Round 9, against Hawthorn, he had a career-high 37 disposals and four goals, kicking three goals in a row during the third quarter. He was awarded three votes for his effort. At the end of the year Sylvia signed a two year contract to remain with Melbourne.

Sylvia's 2010 season was marred by injury, causing him to miss seven games. However, he was regularly one of Melbourne's best players in the 15 matches that he did play and he ended the season finishing fifth in the Best and Fairest. He was also Melbourne's equal leading vote-getter, withAaron Davey, at the 2010 Brownlow Medal.

At the end of the 2013 season, Sylvia signed as an unrestricted free agent with .

He finished fifth in Melbourne's best and fairest award for the season. COLIN SYLVIA COLIN Sylvia announced his retirement from the game in April 2015.

Merbein is proud and excited to welcome back Col Sylvia.

Volume 1, Issue 8 6th June, 2015 Junior Magpie Squawk

Presidents Report Graeme Dunne

The Magpies were swooping on the es, the parents whom assist with The next game was a nail biter weekend and it was Quandong the training, game day prepara- with our Under 13’s game going

Park they were circling. Following tions, encouragement and advice, down to the wire in a similar on from Saturday where our sen- and the effort our young stars are fashion to our senior team the day ior team pushed the star studded putting into their footy. Our clubs before except our boys came back reigning premiers, Red Cliffs right future stars are in good hands! in the dying minutes to snatch the to the final siren, snatching the win. To add to the drama the Our under 12 teams went to work lead late in the final term, to just electronic score board had stopped on demolishing their opposition counting down the time in the last miss out by a kick when the final again each having the freedom of a minute causing the “Stevo” ba- curtain fell. Sending a message to whole oval to showcase their abil- rometer to rise suddenly before all other teams that the “Magpies ity. These two teams are leaping subsiding once the final siren blew are Swooping” in 2015. Our jun- ahead week after week with their with our noses in front. Well done ior netballers and footballers con- football brains slowly absorbing to these boys with a fantastic win tinued the attach on Sunday with and putting together the infor- and the ability to come back in the a clean sweep on the court and mation and instruction they are last minutes to regain the lead. nearly completing the double with receiving, along with developing True grit and fighting spirit. The two out of three wins on field as their skills each week, the puzzle of Magpie way!!. well. playing the game beginning to take The under 14.5’s opened a can Our Under 10’s relished in the shape. Add to this, buckets loads of of “whoop arse” at tiger land open spaces of having an oval each heart and courage which was evi- to play on, much to the surprise of dent on Sunday. Special mention with a convincing win. Under the players and parents initially, to the tuff nuts of the day, Jasper the command of John Guthrie, but at the end I think all would Baker, who got sent off with the one of our senior players in the agree that they were able to dis- blood rule after getting a knock to absence of Geoff, the boys un- play many more of their skills and the snozza, Corey Wakefield and leased the running machines, talents with more space to run in. Colby Storer both involved in Kyle, Logan, Robbo, Riley, Lar-

Evident to those watching is the heavy clashes that may have re- ry and other‘s that tore the improvement in the team work, sulted in eggs on the head and not opposition to bits. The run and ball use, shepherding, kicking to to be forgotten, Taj Stevens who penetration of half back, the advantage and some understand- lost a tooth putting his mount link up hand balls, delivery of ing of a game plan that these boys guard in before the game, but they the ball long inside 50, strong displayed on Sunday. Credit must all just soldiered on regardless. marks and efforts at ground be given to their respective coach- Great job to all our Under 12’s. level along with the inspiring

words of advice and confidence and put the hard work in on speed, skill, patience, poise and from Guthers was more than the track. The inclusion of team work. Displaying all the

Red Cliffs could handle and the Marcus this week, another new attributes of top quality net- goals started coming. Their four player to join the team whose ballers. For a comprehensive quarter effort was the best speed across the ground has to report from the day please en- these boys have produced all be seen to be appreciated con- joy Sue’s detailed account be- season and for those who enjoy tinues to add strength to this low. What a fantastic result for their footy it was a pleasure to group. It has to be admired the our girls, and once again you commitment to our club these watch. One on the many high- have done us all proud. Well young men have shown. I am lights was the coast to coast done and keep up the great sure if they continue to show goal by Dunny in the last quar- work. this level of commitment and ter, intercepting the ball inside Looking forward to next week the positive attitude displayed the back fifty, running the we will be playing again on by the entire playing group length of the ground with sev- Saturday against Imperials at currently, towards the devel- eral bounces, handballing him- opment of this group, led by our home grounds at Kenny self out of trouble, gathering his Liam and Matty, and under Park. Something we all enjoy. own ball again and finishing it the guidance of Harly and See below for further infor- off with a long goal from 50 Geoff they will finish the season mation. out. Great footy... This is an an outstanding success. Not This week we have the oppor- example of the skill and talent measured by wins or losses, but tunity on Saturday to enjoy displayed by all of these boys by dedication, commitment watching two stars of our on a regular basis. Fantastic and loyalty. Values that are game Ben Duscher and Colin effort and a well deserved win. held in high regard. Keep up Sylvia play in our senior team The last game of the day saw the great work in rebuilding and have a crack at knocking our Under 16 boys with Harley our Under 16’s team. off the ladder leaders. Cole again at the helm play Over on the courts, Sue and Thanks to all our players, their first game for the season her team of coaches had coaches parents and supporters without any opposition players amassed their army’s of quality for a great day on Sunday for to bolster the team. Although netballers and demolished our the MJFC. the score at the end wasn’t in opponents on the day going their favour it was obvious to “Go the pies” home with a clean sweep. In all watching that this group of what could be described as a boys can play!! And a win for netball clinic they cruised them isn’t far away should they through the day displaying continue to develop as a team

Come and join us for a Beer & BBQ to welcome home Colin Sylvia SATURDAY 6th June (after the game)

Social Club Rooms

Games Night to follow!

Well, well, well, they say that Costumes are our chance to show the ‘Inner Self’…..

WHAT THE?????? WHAT’S ON & WHAT THE??? WHAT & ON WHAT’S BEST DRESSED Best Dressed MALE Best Dressed Couple Female LEIGH RIORDAN Matt Kooyman & Stacey Emily Jemmeson Scrivener