SPORT llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll ntnews.com.au Buffaloes premiership strongman fights illness

By GREY MORRIS

TERRITORY pioneer and Buffaloes footballer David Ross Sr is seriously ill in Royal Darwin Hospital. Known around the North- ern Territory as ‘‘Weewak’’, David Ross worked on a series of cattle properties across the Top End as a stock- man for many years. A premiership player with the great Buffalo sides of the 1960s, he played with WAFL club West Perth in 1961. His great mates Bill Demp- sey and Jimmy Anderson joined him on that trip south more than 40 years ago. ‘‘Weewak was a very hard and skilful footballer who I was proud to call my very good friend,’’ Jimmy Ander- son said last night. ‘‘We went through the Rhet- ta Dixon Home together and did a lot of other things as a team.’’ PUB: David Ross was given the nickname Weewak by a fel- low Rhetta Dixon resident

TNEWS NT when he saw a big barge in Darwin Harbour by the same name. His son David Jr said his dad would always be remem- bered as a proud father who brought his eight children up

DATE: to respect other people and not to be judgmental. ‘‘Dad was like that, he was very tough when it counted

7-NOV-2013 but he was always fair and he brought us up the same way,’’ he said. ‘‘He loved a beer and could handle himself if he had to. ‘‘I remember the late Brian Chong Wee telling me one day he was cornered by some blo-

PAGE: kes in an alley until dad came along and knocked them all out. And he was a hard wor- ker, he loved stock work and could work in any conditions Buffaloes great David Ross Sr, who is seriously ill in Royal Darwin Hospital, and his wife Shirley Picture: MICHAEL FRANCHI 46 if a job had to be done.’’ On the football arena, Buffalo side that won every He met his sweetheart Shir- 50 years before getting mar- David Ross’ eight children Brian and Bobby — are keep-

COLOR: David Ross Sr was one of the game in the 1967-68 season on ley in Katherine in the early ried in a great family occas- — Dorothea, Elizabeth, David ing a close vigil on their best, playing a key role in the their way to the premiership. 1960s. They were engaged for ion in 2012. Jr, Leonnie, Diana, Graham, dad’s progress. C M Y

K Carberry thanks Warne

CRICKET lia A on day one of their tour which Australia A, a fast bow- like that happen it gives you Test ,’’ he said. ‘‘I was a match in Hobart yesterday, ler short, were humbled and perspective on your cricket,’’ young guy a little bit lost in has spent the with Carberry 153 , the tourists eased into form. Carberry said. county cricket, and didn’t past few days tearing strips unbeaten on Carberry, who also made 78 ‘‘It made me relax more and really get an opportunity. off just about every England he made me feel 154 and the tourists a mam- against a WA XI last week, enjoy the game for what is.’’ ‘‘I came to Hampshire and player, but Test bolter moth 0-318 at stumps. continued to repay England’s But before illness inter- from day one he made me feel Michael Carberry says he very much at home The dumping of Root came faith, setting up an incredible vened, Carberry said it was very much at home and he credits his career to the out- as a surprise, despite Warne return for the 33-year-old who Warne, a teammate of his at gave me the backing any spoken Australian great. claiming he’d be ‘‘crucified’’ played one Test against Bang- Hampshire in the mid 2000s, young player needs.’’ Carberry’s share in the big- first Test at Brisbane, with by the Australian attack. ladesh in 2010 before his who had the biggest influence Warne hasn’t been so kind gest first- partnership — one of Warne’s England made their intent- career was threatened by a on his emergence as a Test- to Cook, but the England skip- ever recorded at Bellerive victims — bumped down ions clear for Brisbane by serious blood clot to the lung. quality opener. per would have been de- Oval has almost certainly to No.5 and looking set for an promoting Carberry to open ‘‘By the grace of God I’m ‘‘I think Shane Warne is lighted with a chance to play booked him a spot opening Ashes demotion. alongside Cook in a here to enjoy what I’m doing basically the reason why I ac- himself into form after miss- the for England in the England destroyed Austra- one-sided tour match in now and I think when things tually got a chance to play ing last week’s tour match. Watson to bat, bowling doubt

FOOTROT FLATS SHANE Watson will play in the first Test against England even if he is unable to bowl. The valuable but injury-prone all-rounder has been diag- nosed with a low grade strain to his left hamstring and hopes to begin training next week. The Brisbane Test is just a fortnight away allowing Watson limited recovery time, particularly given his long history of injuries. However Australia’s batting is so thin that Watson is con- sidered an essential part of the team. Watson has been assessed by Australian team physio- therapist Alex Kountouris. ‘‘Since returning home from , Shane has been assessed and had scans on his injured left hamstring, which confirm a low-grade muscle strain,’’ Kountouris said. Wrap of Sheffield Shield matches, P42

46 NT NEWS. Thursday, November 7, 2013. www.ntnews.com.au