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From the Moreland Leader
Reported by Chris Cavanagh
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COBURG has its sights set on a strong finish to the Victorian Football League season as it looks to create a springboard into its second pre-season as a stand-alone side under coach Peter German.

The Lions still have just three wins to their name but see the last month of the season as a prime opportunity to add to their tally of victories.

A home match against North Ballarat kicks off the run home this Sunday ­before the Lions round out the season with clashes against Sandringham, Frankston and Casey.

“The last four games are all winnable,” Coburg ­general manager Craig Lees said.

“We’ve got four opportunities to play sides that won’t play in the finals and we could potentially finish the year off well. People are actually starting to look at Coburg now and see how they’re going and take ­notice of their ­results. Even our sponsors are really thrilled at how competitive we’ve been. But what we’ve got to do in the off-season is maintain the momentum that we’ve built but look to build on that next year.”

From The Maribyrnong Leader
Reported by Luke D'Anello
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FOOTSCRAY does not fear any side in the lead-up the VFL finals, but coach Chris Maple has declared the premiership race wide open.

The Bulldogs, in their first year as a stand-alone outfit, are a genuine premiership contender and sit in third spot on the ladder with a 10-4 record.

Footscray should rubberstamp a top-four berth in the run home, with games against Bendigo, Werribee, Casey and Richmond.

While the Dogs have benefited from a smooth run with injuries, Clay Smith (knee) and Mitch Wallis (foot) will miss the remainder of the season.

The pair notched 10 VFL appearances between them in 2014 and played vital roles in the Dogs’ success.

Smith had been particularly explosive, the hard-nosed midfielder named Footscray’s best player against Bendigo and Box Hill earlier in the season.

From www.localfooty.com.au
Reported by Chris Cavanagh
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REWIND to August last year.

Coburg Football Club had just played its last game of the 2013 season in the VFL, marking the end of a 12-year alignment with AFL club Richmond.

The Lions were yet to name a coach for 2014, had some stability issues off the field and many in VFL circles raised the possibility they might not see out one season as a stand-alone club.

But amid the bleak forecast, the man who has been considered the heart and soul of the club over recent years — courageous captain Nick Carnell — was the first Coburg player to sign a new contract with the club and did so without hesitation.

Like every year there were offers to go elsewhere, but the ever-loyal Carnell never seriously considered leaving.

From Leader Community Newspapers
Reported by Paul Amy
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THE milestone comes this Saturday at Punt Rd, against Richmond.

That Port Melbourne captain John Baird played on the famous old ground before its reappearance on this year’s fixtures is an indication of his seasoned status in Victorian football.

It was for Hawthorn reserves against Melbourne in 1999. He can remember a carrot-topped left-footer topping up numbers for the Hawks: Cameron Ling, later to captain Geelong to a premiership.

Sixteen seasons later, Baird returns to Punt Rd this Saturday to play his 200th VFL match.

The right-footer says it “feels a very long time ago’’ that he wore No 42 for the Hawks in his first year out of school.

In fact, he’s been playing in the VFL since it expanded to take in the reserves in 2000. He’s seen a series of alignment changes and teams come and go (Murray Kangaroos, Tasmania and, soon, Bendigo).

John Baird flying high for Box Hill Hawks against Williamstown in 2001.
John Baird flying high for Box Hill Hawks against Williamstown in 2001.

Baird was with Hawthorn for two years. In 2001 he played at the Box Hill Hawks and won the Norm Goss Medal as best-afield in a premiership team containing Sam Mitchell and Chance Bateman.

TUESDAY JULY 22
(Foxtel Cup Grand Final)West Perth vs Williamstown at Simonds Stadium 8:35pm(Fox Footy)

SATURDAY JULY 26
Richmond vs Port Melbourne at Punt Road Oval 1:10pm(ABC1TV)

SUNDAY JULY 27
Frankston vs Collingwood at Frankston Park 2pm
(Development League match Frankston vs Port Melbourne starts at 11am)
Box Hill Hawks vs Coburg at Box Hill 2pm(3WBC)
(Development League match starts at 11am)
Williamstown vs Bendigo at Burbank Oval,Williamstown 2pm(VFL Radio)

VFL Byes: Casey Scorpions,Essendon,Footscray,Geelong,Northern Blues,North Ballarat,Sandringham,Werribee

Development League Byes: Casey Scorpions,Northern Blues,Sandringham,Werribee,Williamstown

From Frankston Standard Leader
Reported by Paul Amy
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SIMON Goosey’s voice was so gravelly you suspected he ate barbed wire for breakfast.

“I’m so proud of you boys,’’ the coach rasped, prompting another burst of applause for the Frankston players from supporters packed into the changerooms at Casey Fields.

“The Goose’’ was hoarse after an afternoon hollering in the box and then, more pleasurable, singing the club song.

The Dolphins have had some frustrating days this season, dropping matches they ought have won.

But their performance against the Casey Scorpions on Saturday could salve a few wounds from the earlier rounds and was a reminder of their talent and tenacity.

SATURDAY JULY 19
North Ballarat vs Bendigo at Eurkea Stadium 1:10pm(ABC1TV)
Northern Blues vs Werribee at Visy Park 1:30pm
(Development League match starts at 10:30am)
Casey Scorpions vs Frankston at Casey Fields 2pm(Casey Radio)
(Development League match starts at 11am)
Port Melbourne vs Coburg at North Port Oval 2pm
(Development League match starts at 11am)

SUNDAY JULY 20
Footscray vs Essendon at Whitten Oval 12pm
Sandringham vs Geelong at Trevor Barker Oval 2pm(VFL Radio)

VFL Byes: Collingwood,Richmond

Development League Bye: Sandringham

Note: Williamstown vs Box Hill Hawks Round 15 match was played on Saturday March 28

Fabulous Fred‭ ‬- The Strife and Times‭ ‬of Fred Cook
Written by Paul Amy - Foreword by Sam Newman
Pre-order Now - http://www.melbournebooks.com.au/fabulous-fred.html

FREE postage within Australia for orders placed before 1st August

Fred Cook began his football career with Footscray in the VFL. But he really made his name in the game after crossing to Port Melbourne in the VFA.

His prodigious goalkicking in the 1970s earned him the nickname ‘Fabulous Fred’ and fame at a pop-star level. He appeared on TV, on radio and wrote newspaper columns, and he mixed with Melbourne’s sporting and entertainment elite.

But he fell in with a criminal crowd, formed a drug habit, lost everything and did three spells in prison.

Cook has led a remarkable life, going from hero to zero. He’s always wanted to tell his story, which features football, crime and drugs, and the wider issue of sportspeople who struggle with normalcy once their careers have ended.

Fred Cook’s name still resonates, thirty years after his career ended. Last year he was nominated for the Australian Football Hall of Fame.