SPORT
Devils new recruits turn up the heat
However, in the men’s championship, the
Devils suffered a 98-83 defeat to Ringwood
Hawks in that first game of the season.
Imports Jeremy Smith, with 28 points, 15
rebounds and six assists, and Fred Hunter,
with 16 points, four rebounds and three assists,
dominated the stat sheet for the Devils, while
Nick Morda came off the bench for eight points
in 10 minutes.
The Devils have a home double-header to
look forward to this weekend, starting with the
visit of McKinnon Cougars on Saturday night,
before Diamond Valley Eagles land on Sunday
afternoon.
■ Footy
Lance Jenkinson
Coached by Mahaela Jackson, Werribee Devils
had a winning start in the Big V women’s
division 1 season. (Shawn Smits)
Reds earn respect
By Lance Jenkinson
Their run in the FFA Cup came to an end when
Hoppers Crossing went down to a star-studded
Dandenong City in a 3-1 loss in the fourth
round at Grange Reserve on Saturday.
The Reds went into the game as underdogs
to the NPL2 East leaders, but they were never
going to back down from the challenge – even
if the visitors were two league above them in
rankings.
Reds’ coach Shaun Barbara promoted a
positive game plan, and his players showed in
patches what they can produce, even if they
were ultimately outclassed after 90 minutes.
“We took a collective view at the start of the
week that we were certainly not going to park
the bus,” Barbara said.
“We believe in our ability, we believe in the
players we’ve got on board, and we’re certainly
capable of playing a positive brand of football
against anyone.
“We gave a very good account of ourselves
and earned a bit of respect from the NPL side.”
Hoppers Crossing had its moments in the
first half, but it was Dandenong City with the
killer touch.
City striker Paul Harvey, a new recruit to the
side this season, breached the Reds’ defence
twice in six minutes to give his side a two-goal
advantage at half-time.
“Up to that point, we were in the contest and
didn’t look like fish out of water,” Barbara said.
“Our keeper made some good saves, but we
looked well organised.
“Those two goals hurt us a bit.”
The deficit did not deter Hoppers Crossing
from sticking to its own style of play.
The Reds used the break to re-group and
make one last push at a win.
Their hopes of a comeback were extinguished,
though, when Jarod Blackbourn netted for City.
Hoppers Crossing would get their goal
through hard-working striker Alister Smart,
but it was too little too late.
Barbara was left impressed with the courage
of his players, but still deflated by the outcome.
“Obviously, we’re disappointed that we didn’t
get the result, but that’s part and parcel of
football,” he said.
“In regards to the effort and the desire to put
in a good performance against a strong outfit, I
can’t fault the boys.”
Hoppers Crossing will open the state league
2 season at home on Saturday in a clash against
Moreland United.
Meanwhile, Werribee City moved through
to the fifth round of the FFA Cup after a
hard-fought 2-0 win over Ballarat City on the
100 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY \ MARCH 22, 2017
IN THE
DOGHOUSE
is back and what a weird
experience it is going to be for Bulldogs
fans, especially those under the age
of 62. The current red, white and blue
army has never experienced being
reigning premiers before. Every time
I hear it on the radio or television I
think they are talking about Hawthorn
or Geelong, so conditioned am I to not
being premiers. That is not to say the
title does not sit well, because it does,
and I know all Bulldogs fans could get
very accustomed to it. Cocky is not the
nature of Bulldogs fans so that is not
an issue, but they can be excused for
some early season swagger, and who
better to unleash it upon than Magpies
fans this Friday night. Peter Gordon
took possession of the premiership
flag last week and the Bulldogs faithful
will savour the unfurling at Etihad
Stadium next week when the Doggies
meet the Swans. At least I hope that is
the agenda. We have never been here
before in my lifetime. This is all new
territory.
■ One
group that is blossoming at
the Bulldogs is the past players and
officials and it is not as a result of the
premiership. Former player Ross Abbey
has done a terrific job revitalising the
group and attracting many old faces
back to the club. Most players don’t
leave VFL/AFL clubs when they want
to, or on their terms, that is just a fact
of footy life. This has always made the
job of reconnecting the players with the
club a difficult challenge. The recent
annual general meeting of the group
saw a number of new names stand
up for the committee. Phil O’Keeffe is
now vice president and new committee
men include Adam Contessa, Andrew
Howlett, Gary McGorlick and Graeme
Joslin. They join Ross, Owen Madigan,
Ian Foreman, Jack Slattery, Ron
McGowan and Les Bartlett as the
officers of the group. Any past player or
official is most welcome. I am looking
forward to another great year as the
MC for the Past Players and Players
sponsors room for home games at
Etihad.
■ Funny
game cricket, though not all
that amusing for the Williamstown first
X1 knocked out of the finals by Altona
last weekend in a low scoring game at
Point Gellibrand. Many, including me,
thought the Willy boys were on their
way to another VSDCA flag. Well done
to Altona and good luck in the grand
final. Yarraville Club Cricket Club heads
into the second week of their grand
final against Greenvale.
Kevin Hillier
Any news, let me know on email
[email protected].
Follow me on Twitter @KevinHillier,
plus check out the Howdy Partners
Media website as well.
Daniel Sweeney weaves his way out of traffic for Hoppers Crossing. (Dennis Manktelow)
road at Morshead Park, with Djordje Aleksic
starring for the Bees.
Aleksic put through two second-half goals
just 10 minutes apart, securing the victory.
Werribee City will be back in NPL2 West
action on Sunday.
They host Bendigo City in a clash of the
bottom two at Galvin Park.
WESTPOINT
402309-MD20402308-MD20-9
The new-look Werribee Devils made an
immediate mark on the Big V basketball
women’s division 1.
The Devils used the opening weekend to
showcase new skipper Rohanee Cox and star
import Sumar Leslie in an eye-catching 88-79
win over Mildura Heat at the notoriously
difficult away trip to Toyota Hothouse.
Cox, a former Australian Opals player and
the WNBL’s most valuable player of 2009,
showed her quality with a double-double 28
points and 13 rebounds.
Leslie, a graduate of Nicholls State University
in the US and a former Puerto Rico Pro League
player, had a hot start to life with the Devils,
with 22 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Not to be overshadowed, recruit Jessy Price
was effective at the offensive end, with an
efficient 25 points and seven assists to go with
eight rebounds and four steals.
The Devils play their home opener against
Camberwell Dragons at Eagle Stadium on
Saturday evening.
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