When contacted late last week GVL chairman David Roff told me the league had followed all the correct procedures on its future direction concerning game day coverages and would make an announcement ‘‘within the next week’’ in regards to the outcome.
But on Monday ONE FM got in first and released a strong statement that it had cut ties with the league before the GVL could officially make it known their 30-year marriage was over.
In the statement, ONE FM claimed the clubs had no input into the decision.
I believe ONE FM will be replaced by a live-stream coverage of one GVL game of football and one netball game each Saturday. And that will be it.
As someone who has been in the media game for 60 years I can assure you live-streaming one football and one netball game on a Saturday won’t sit well with the majority of supporters across Northern Victoria, particularly the older fraternity, and won’t have anywhere near the impact or in-depth coverage a radio station can provide.
While I know live-streaming will suit some fans that may not be able to attend games it is also another reason why supporters will stay at home in times the clubs need their support at games, particularly after the last two COVID-19-interrupted seasons.
It's very sad it has come to this and the GVL at least should make it public why it has arrived at such decision, allegedly without the input of the clubs.
Williams name back in headlines
The name Williams needs no introduction at the Rochester and Kyabram football netball clubs or in the Goulburn Valley League.
Now it’s up in lights again.
Tegan Williams, daughter of David and Sharyn Williams, has been making a name for herself with the Bendigo Pioneers’ Under 19 girls’ team this season
Her latest accolade is winning selection in the Victorian Country squad to contest the Under 18 AFLW National Championships.
She represented Country Victoria against Vic Metro at Ballarat in the first round on Sunday. There are games against South Australia in Adelaide on April 16 and Queensland in Melbourne on April 22 to complete the carnival.
With a move from defence to the forward line this season, Tegan has been showing out and is now the go-to target in the 50m arc of the Pioneers’ forward line.
Tegan had a long introduction to the game, tagging along to watch a good portion of the coaching career of her legendary father, Dave Williams, at Rochester and Kyabram.
Barnes happy with Bombers
New Kyabram co-coach Billy Barnes was impressed with the depleted Bombers’ side that had its first pre-season hit-out on Saturday against top Bendigo League side Strathfieldsaye at Colbinabbin.
Barnes described the efforts of the Kyabram players in the five-‘quarter’ game involving senior and reserves players as ‘‘very heartening“.
‘‘The goal umpires had us winning by about two or three goals so with so many players missing it was a good result,’’ Barnes said.
Barnes said Cooper Vick was a standout at full forward and other young players in Anthony Deqasquale, Will Burnett and Mitch Gugliotti had all played well.
‘‘Really we didn’t have a passenger, every player did a bit it,’’ Barnes said.
Key defenders Jason Morgan and Tom Holman were unavailable and Barnes, Lachie Smith and Jack Sheldon held the defence together.
Kyabram on Monday was trying to arrange a details for a practice game against Tatura this Saturday at Kyabram.
Ky players collect prizes
Kyabram Cricket Club players have featured prominently in Cricket Shepparton awards.
Nick Chambers shared the B grade Cricketer of Year award while Cade Mueller was named the Haisman Shield Under 23 Player of Year and teammate Billy McLay runner-up.
Cade Mueller and his brother Kyle were named in the Haisman Shield Team of the Year. Kyle was also runner-up to Jedd Wright in the Cricketer of the Year award.
Ross Brown claimed the run aggregate award in C grade.
The Haisman Shield Lightfoot Medal was won by Waaia allrounder Liam Evans.
Evans made 423 runs, took 13 wickets and finished with 25 votes, 10 clear of the runner-up, Katandra’s Jedd Wright, who had 15 votes.
Cricket Shepparton has named a squad of 30 players from which it will pick and name its Team of the Century later this year.
Some big names are going to be disappointed, with the likes of Rohan Larkin, Alex Keath, Aidan Blizzard, Bryan Doyle, Des Campbell, Ryan Sidebottom, Chris Keady, Ian Sartori and Damian Woodman among the nominees.
Barnett named in top team
Two locals featured in the Goulburn Murray Cricket Team of the Year award announced at the association’s recent awards night.
Cooma all-rounder Sam Langley’s 23 wickets and Fire Brigade quick Jackson Barnett with 25 wickets at the economical average of 10 were both named in the team.
Others to get a spot were Graham Turner Medallist Taylor Beard, Curtis Townrow and Matt Hinks (Echuca), Sean Williams and Angus Martin (Rochester), Jack Russell and Fraser Buchanan (Moama) Sandun Ranathunga (BLU) and Peter Moore (Nondies-Cohuna).
GVL players rady and waiting
GVL players have been named on AFL contingency lists for the 2022 season.
Clubs are allowed 20 players as a safeguard in the event of teams being hit by COVID-19 outbreaks.
Echuca’s star recruit, Sam Reid, who played 98 senior games with Greater Western Sydney, has been added to the Melbourne contingency list. But he is first to admit it’s long odds he would get a call-up and his focus is only on Echuca at this stage.
Former Echuca player Angus Byrne, currently playing with Geelong’s VFL side, has been added to the Cats’ AFL contingency squad.
Rochester’s Joe Atley, who plays for Essendon’s VFL side, has been added to the Bombers’ contingency list
Murphy stars with bat and ball
Moama’s Todd Murphy’s dreams of being a successor to Australian off-spin bowler Nathan Lyon gained more momentum last week.
Playing in only his second Sheffield Shield game for Victoria, Murphy finished with a bag of seven wickets. He took 4/98 from a marathon 29 overs in the first innings and 3/48 from 21 overs in the second innings.
But he probably won more acclaim for making an unbeaten 24 and sharing a matchwinning 37-run eighth wicket stand with Mitch Perry as the Vics overcame a first-innings deficit to win the game.
Pekin strikes gold
Popular Stanhope trots trainer Gary Pekin doesn’t mind clocking up the kilometres with a horse he thinks is a winning chance.
And the long trip to last week’s Albury meeting with his pacer Cresco Goldigger paid dividends.
Pekin brought the six-year-old son of Sportswriter from third last at the bell to hit the front into the home straight and then fend off all challengers in the run to the judge.
It was only the pacer’s third win in 37 tries but two of the wins have come in his past four starts and he has never raced in better form.
And those punters who put their hard earned on Cresco Goldigger in his latest win were pretty happy as he paid $9.
11°C