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Reds on the rise, but injuries mount in The It may not be a glamorous role, nor does it get statistics around what he does, like the tackles Alister Smart scored a double. The win came the outside recognition it deserves, but Joe and the team things.” at a cost for the Reds, with winger Zia Sherzai doghouse Nave’s hard yakka in centre field for Hoppers The Reds were thrilled to be back on the breaking his nose and Matthew Garbett off with Crossing will be one of the cornerstones of winners’ list after a listless performance a week a hamstring strain. Vince Honore laboured ■ It’s great to have local footy back his club’s quest for promotion in the Football earlier at home to Whittlesea United. with a knee niggle. but there is some bad news for WRFL Federation men’s state league 3. They have collected six of a possible six The Reds will host Lalor United in the fourth division 1 clubs – Deer Park is still Nave produced one of his typically hard- points, with the home loss wedged in between, round at Grange Reserve on Saturday. very good. Despite losing big names nosed performances for the Reds in Saturday’s to move to sixth place after three games. In state league 4, star striker Joe Spiteri fired such as Thornton, Guerra, Hargrave, 4-1 drubbing of previously undefeated Darebin “It was a good way to bounce back and in a hat-trick as Point Cook smashed Melton Barling, Ayres, Harrison and Smith, United at Mayer Park … and got credit from respond to a disappointing loss,” Iosifidis said. Phoenix 4-2, but Truganina Hornets received a the Lions have recruited well and who matters most. The Reds are scoring goals for fun with eight 4-1 belting from City. In the NPL, have emerging juniors who are going “He was our unsung hero,” Reds coach in three games. Werribee City copped a late goal to lose 1-0 to to be stars this year. Senior coach Steve Iosifidis told Star Weekly. “He was pretty Patrick McGarrigle has four of those goals to Pascoe Vale, sending it back to second-last on Marc Bullen admitted to us on WYN ruthless in the middle of the park, grinding it sit second on the league’s goal-scoring list. the ladder. FM that everyone expected perfection out, and did all of the dirty work for us, all of McGarrigle scored one in the rout, while from them last year with the talent the stuff that doesn’t get mentioned. There’s no Liam McDermott fired in from the spot and Lance Jenkinson they had, and they delivered it. His third year in charge might be his most challenging and exciting. All eyes will be on the Lions as they have been for the past few years. The second and third divisions will be extremely competitive and it was fantastic to see Wyndham Suns win their first-ever senior game on debut last Saturday – what a boost for the newest club in the competition. Our radio coverage of the WRFL is up and running again, with the preview show on Fridays from 5pm and match day-coverage from 1.30pm on Saturdays on 88.9 WYN FM.

■ The VFL season starts on Friday night when Werribee will host Geelong at Avalon Airport Oval at Chirnside Park. The teams will play for the K-Rock Cup, with Werribee limping into the game with a very long injury list that includes captain Michael Sodomaco and key on-baller Tom Gribble. Senior coach John Lamont said he had 18 injured players. Williamstown starts the season away to the Northern Blues at Ikon Park and the Footscray Bulldogs will be on the new Channel Seven match-of-the-day telecast from noon at as they unfurl their first premiership flag since 1954. The form of the Bulldogs seniors at the moment means they will have a top-notch VFL side running out on Saturday afternoon in front of the red white and blue faithful. It will be a special moment, after which they will face the Box Hill Hawks in a grand final rematch.

Tough nut Nathan Laracy throws his body into the contest for Werribee in a pre-season match against Foostcray. (Shawn Smits) ■ The have started the AFL season much better than almost anyone could have expected with two wins. This week’s match against Hawthorn in Tasmania will be a Tigers ready to pounce very interesting spectacle. If you have not yet seen the mini-documentary on Bobby Murphy, A Captain’s Tale, go to By Lance Jenkinson supporter bragging rights. The close proximity pre-season toll. The Tigers will be without the Bulldogs’ website and watch why of the two clubs, separated by a short drive up new captain Michael Sodamaco (hamstring), this man is going to be remembered Can we just start the VFL season now, please? the Princes Highway, the strong ex-Geelong vice-captain Ben Speight (shoulder), young and revered with the likes of Doug, A longer than usual wait has been excruciating flavour involved at Werribee and the defections gun Tom Gribble and key defender Brody Charlie and Teddy. The firstInside for supporters of the 14 clubs. of some former star Tigers to the Cats over the Mihocek (knee) for the season opener, while the Kennel will be on April 21, from Last season, the opening match was played years have added spice to the rivalry. Daniel Nielson (ACL) has been ruled out for 6.30pm. Call 9680 6154 for bookings. on March 29, but this time around the curtain “There’s a healthy, friendly rivalry and we’re the year. will go up 19 days later, on April 17, and very much looking forward to the game,” “We’ve got a few out, but it will provide Kevin Hillier Werribee Tigers coach John Lamont was at a Lamont said. “We’ve had some great games opportunities for someone else,” Lamont said. loss to explain why. with them in recent years. Hopefully we can Recruits pressing for round-one selection Any news, let me know on email The AFL, local leagues and all of the other start well on Friday night.” include Tasmanian duo Mitch Vandenberg [email protected]. state leagues around the nation were battling Werribee has two home games to start the (North Launceston), a medium-sized Follow me on Twitter @KevinHillier, it out for four points at the weekend while season with difficult road trips to follow. forward, and Matt Hansen (Western Storm), plus check out the Howdy Partners the Tigers were playing their fifth game of Semi-finalists last season, the Tigers will host an inside-outside midfielder. Media website as well. pre-season. North Ballarat in round two before short trips Key forward Josh Helliwell has impressed “It’s been a bit of an odd start,” Lamont said. to Port Melbourne and Williamstown – two of since crossing from Frankston, as has hard-at-it “We had a practice match still to play while a lot the top three clubs after last year’s home and onballer Isaac Conway, a Queenslander who of other comps were into it last weekend. Our away season. played with Aspley in the NEAFL competition blokes are ready for it to start.” Lamont said his players were primed and and was once on the list. The wait should be worth it for the Tigers as ready after a big pre-season. “They’re all boys who can hopefully come in they have the honour of opening the season “We’ve fine-tuned everyone for a big game and have an impact early,” Lamont said. under lights against arch-rivals Geelong Cats at this Friday,” he said. “I’ve been really pleased The younger brigade staking claims for WESTPOINT Avalon Airport Oval on Friday night. with the game time that has gone into players senior spots early in the season includes utility ProudCorner Sponsors Heaths of and In The Morris Doghouse, Road With the exception of western suburbs and the education, particularly the new guys, Joe Maishman, speedy winger-forward Matt HoppersThe Hillier Crossing View and Ph: Foodbytes 9749 6444 Munro, swingman Matthew Brett and local CornerWeb: Heaths www.westpointford.com.au and Morris Road Hoppers Crossing

derbies against Williamstown and Footscray, about how we want to play.” 402308-MD20-9 Ph: 9749 6444 402309-MD20- this is as big as it gets for the Tigers players There will be plenty of early opportunities products Braden Ferrari, Harrison King and ProudWeb: Sponsors www.westpointford.com.au of In The Doghouse & The Hillier View and is considered a must-win in terms of for recruits and young players given a heavy Keenan O’Shea. 79 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY \ APRIL 15, 2015