Kyle is now recovering from a lengthy and at times very frustrating process to gain expert medical attention and hopes to return deep into the home-and-away season and be ready for finals.
After recent surgery he had to spend 23 hours a day resting for two weeks to give himself every chance of a full recovery.
But he did get some positive news at the weekend, being named in the Northern Rivers Cricket Team of the Year.
He was the only Cricket Shepparton player selected in the team and was given the honour of being named vice-captain.
Goulburn Murray Cricket also got just the one representative — star allrounder Tyler Beard — in the team dominated by Bendigo players.
Tributes to John
Tributes have been flowing in for Kyabram’s John Shaw, who passed away at the weekend.
The nonagenarian, who has been a Warramunda resident for several years, was heavily involved in the Kyabram Football Netball Club for many years with his wife, Faye.
Both are life members of the club and a canteen near the Wilf Cox Complex has been named in their honour.
John had a great rapport with players, official and supporters with his easy-going manner and was responsible for assembling a picture gallery of all of Kyabram’s lengthy list of VFL/AFL products.
John was possessed with good people skills and a cheeky manner, and will be missed by many.
His funeral is being held this Friday, June 3.
Kellock is a ‘star’
Girgarre Football Club legend John ‘Bluey’ Roberts is always measured in assessing the ability of players but he made a significant statement after Girgarre’s loss to Murchison-Toolamba last weekend.
He claims Jarred Kellock, who starred for Girgarre in the midfield in the game, is the best newcomer to join the Roos’ ranks in a long time.
‘‘He’s an absolute star and could win the medal (McNamara Medal for the best player in the league),’’ Bluey said, adding the fly-in South Australian was one of the reasons why Girgarre was enjoying a 19-point lead at half-time.
More good news for Girgarre is that Kellock has committed to Girgarre for the remainder of the season.
And some even more positive news for Girgarre is young fly-in Darwin recruit Petros Politis, who made an impressive debut with the club on Saturday, will have a travelling teammate — from all reports a gun player — from Darwin with him each weekend travelling south who is expected to further bolster Girgarre’s chances of playing finals this season.
No doubt these latest signings have added a lot more spice to this Saturday’s blockbuster between neighbours Stanhope and Girgarre — when Stanhope honours its centenarian and stalwart and club legend Alex Nelson.
Vick among the best
Although well into the twilight of his illustrious playing career former Kyabram premiership player and captain Josh Vick has been starring with his new club, Moama.
Vick has been named in the Murray League club’s three best players in four of the past five games.
His former Kyabram teammates now playing at Moama haven’t been so fortunate.
Axel Child suffered a season-ending ACL injury earlier in the season while Sam and Tom Sheldon and Josh Pell have been sidelined with injuries.
Sam, who is coaching Moama, copped a broken eye socket and cheekbone in a recent game and will be on the sidelines for at least another five weeks while Tom (hamstring) and Josh (leg injury), are chances to return to the side this week against Rumbalara.
Happy memories at Undera
Members of Undera Football Club’s 1962 and 1972 premiership sides were honoured in last Saturday’s clash against Stanhope.
The 1962 side was led by John Sellwood, who was also club president at the time, and beat Tallygaroopna to claim the flag.
The 1972 flag was engineered by Pat Sleeth, a seven-time club best and fairest winner and triple league McNamara Medallist.
Sleeth badly injured his shoulder during the game but stayed on the field and helped Undera beat reigning premier Tallygaroopna by 10 points.
Violet Town Football Club also celebrated premiership milestones at the weekend when its 1982 and 2012 flag-winning teams gathered to recall their respective wins.
Fidge’s mare wins again
Kyabram trots trainers have had a good week.
The Mark Watson-trained Prosecco Boy made it two wins from his past three starts with a dashing win at last week’s Shepparton meeting while Paul Fidge claimed a $10,000 final at Cranbourne on Sunday night with his smart mare Imperials Reason.
Driver Ellen Tormey sent Prosecco Boy from midfield to a front-running role for the last 1000 metres and he held off odds-on favourite Treacherous Rock to notch his 10th career win from 47 starts, which have also produced 15 minor placings.
Imperials Reason, driven by Ryan Sanderson, was again too good for her rivals and has now won five of her past seven starts.
