Full article Click here

BOX HILL'S horror start to the season continued when the Hawks slumped to their seventh straight loss, against Port Melbourne, 21.14 (140) to 13.14 (92).

The 48-point defeat was made worse by an injury to young Hawthorn-listed player Cameron Stokes, who ended the match on the bench after injuring his hamstring during the third quarter.

Stokes was among Box Hill's best until he was hurt and looked a likely replacement for Hawthorn's Brent Guerra, who will also be sidelined, because of a hamstring complaint.

Coach Barry Mitchell was pleased with Stokes' game before the injury setback. "Probably our best player, Stokes; I think he kicked three goals and did his hammy," Mitchell said.

The 22-year-old, who returned to the Hawks this season after two years at Coburg, is desperate to taste his first win as skipper against Port Melbourne at Box Hill City Oval tomorrow.

"The most disappointing thing was early in the year we weren't putting in the effort," Neville said.

"Since Sandringham (in Round 4) we have been having a good go with our attack on the ball and our decision-making is getting better.

"Even though we haven't won, we realise we are improving. By no means is anyone pulling their hair out."

Neville, who is juggling football with his fifth and final year of a commerce engineering degree at Melbourne Uni, has played mainly in the backline this season after establishing himself as a midfielder

From the Geelong Advertiser
Reported by Sarah Bieske

Full article Click here

GEELONG VFL players Jack Hollmer and Matt Firman will play on the hallowed MCG for the first time on Saturday.

The VFL side will play Coburg in the curtain-raiser to the round eight AFL clash between Geelong and Richmond.

Hollmer said it was a great opportunity for the VFL Cats and shows there is still a place for old-fashioned curtain-raiser games.

"It should be great. I've only been there a couple of times and I've never played there," Hollmer said. "Hopefully we get a few people along to have a look. We're all looking forward to it."

Hollmer and Firman are two of 14 players in the 22-player Cats team that have never played at the MCG before.

But with at least 17 Geelong-listed players in the Cats' VFL side and 15 in Coburg's, the grand final replay is set to be high quality.

The Victoria Football League is pleased to annoounce the following players have been selected in the 2008 State Squad, for the State League match against the SANFL at Adeladie Oval on Saturday 31st May.

The final list of 24 players will train at TEAC Oval, Port Melbourne on Tuesday 27th and Thursday 29th May, commencing at 6.00pm.

* - Player has not represented Victoria before
# - Player represented Victoria in the last State Game against Western Australia in 2007
^ - Player has previously represented Victoria

Full article Click here

A MAJOR $2 million revamp of the Box Hill City Oval can go ahead after a budget boost from the State Government.

Sports Minister James Merlino visited the oval last week to announce $600,000 would be put towards the project, which would provide a covered spectators area, improved coaches' boxes, a new canteen and an upgraded cricket pavilion.

Mr Merlino, a "mad-keen" Hawks fan, said the investment would make Box Hill an economically sound club that could provide a pathway for junior players to progress through the ranks.

"This is not just beneficial for the football club or the cricket club this is going to be beneficial for youngsters right across the region," he said.

Full article Click here

METRICON Bendigo Bombers chairman Ian Dyett is confident the VFL club is viable long-term despite the sudden departure of its third general manager in 12 months.

Jeff Brennan resigned as Bombers general manager on Monday night, just six months after taking up the role.

His decision to quit comes less than than 12 months after Matthew Allan resigned as general manager.

Peter Lodewijks took over from Allan as general manager, but he was then replaced by Brennan in November last year.

Lodewijks, who remains on the Bombers board, will return to the acting general manager’s role once Brennan leaves the club on Friday.