From Datmoor in Victoria’s southwest to playing with Greater Western Sydney before joining the cats, Geelong’s Jeremy Cameron is a superb player. In some ways, he is a throwback to earlier years when many players were magnificent kicks and ahead of the game in their ability to read the game. A farm boy at heart, he loves getting back home and spending time on his own 50 acres about 20 minutes from Geelong.
Kilmore F.C senior XVIII was impressive against the Old Paradians and coach Paul Derrick appears to have the side on the right track. Improvement seems likely as the season progresses. The reserves have been winning well, so there is good depth at the club.
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Young Victorian Jake Fraser-McGurk is a sensational hitter. In the opinions of many who should know, he is at least as good as David Warner (and possibly better than Warner) at the same age of 22.
He is the brightest prospect in Australian cricket right now, and would boost crowd numbers and excite young fans. But his omission from the T20 national squad for the World Cup in the U.S.A in June shows that the current selectors are not interested in rekindling waning interest in the sport.
They have a ‘Dads Army’ mentality and it looks likely a veteran XI will line up against India in the five test series here next summer. If the top three in the Aussie line-up is Khawaja, Smith, and Labuschagne, then put your money on India. I can’t believe Nathan McSweeney (SA) and Spencer Johnson (WA) did not get contracts in the recent list announced. Victoria hasn’t produced a top bat since Dean Jones and no wonder. They prefer to fill the side with 30-plus -year-olds and imports from other states.
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A.C.K FIXTURES
Round 2
Friday May 3
ACK. v PEGS
Carroll Oval 2:45pm
Round 3
Saturday May 11
ACK v Peninsula
Macdonald Oval 10:30am
Round 4
Friday May 17
ACK v Ivanhoe
Carroll Oval 2:45pm
Round 5
Friday May 24
ACK v Marcellin
MArc Bray Oval 2:30pm
Round 6
Saturday June 1
ACK v Yarra Valley
Carroll Oval 10:00am
Round 7
Friday June 14
ACK v Camberwell
Gordon Bernard West Turf 2:30pm
Round 8
Saturday June 20
ACK v Trinity
Carroll Oval 12:30pm
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The recent Kilmore Art Expo was an outstanding success with large crowds over the weekend. A very young relative Keira Matthews (12) won the main prize, a magnificent painting of an Australian rural scene – work of an acclaimed artist. I briefly spoke to John Weber at the event, one of the hard working Rotary volunteers. A highly regarded teacher for quite a few years at ACK, and the former International School, John is a keen and knowledgeable observer of sport and it was nice to find many of his thoughts well similar to mine.
Longtime rivalry
Assumption and PEGS (Penleigh and Essendon) were admitted to the prestigious AGSV competition 65 years ago. Their football rivalry is the stuff of schoolboy legends. Assumption had won 38 titles and PEGS 13 across that period. Bomber’s legend Ken Fletcher coached the latter for a quarter of a century, and vastly lifted their status and performance. The fierce rivals drew very big crowds year in and year out, prior to Covid. ACK and PEGS competed for the Carroll-Fletcher Cup, and it was my turn to present it after the Friday clash. Unfortunately, I had to hand it over to the visiting captain whose team prevailed after a hard fought tussle.
Reunion
The latest clash was the focal point for a reunion of former players. Assumption’s Kate Boulton coordinated a fine occasion where alumni from across six decades were welcomed and provided with fine refreshments in Neale Daniher Pavilion’s upper floor, which gives a fantastic view of the on-field action. It was a happy gathering of ‘boys’ who had contributed much to the life and times of Assumption over the years. Some travelled from as far afield as Albury, Balranald, and Colac. Dual premiership captains Jason Smith (1990) and Jason Dennis (2000) really enjoyed their return, as did Michael Murray, a brilliant member of Neale Daniher’s champion 1978 team. If it were not for a bad accident not long after leaving college, Michael could have gone to the highest level.
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There were some familiar names in the ACK side. Tom Rutledge, William Le Deux, Mitchell O’Dwyer – their dads had been in my sides. The ACK captain is Romsey’s Lucas Cavigan – a really impressive lad who is a fine batsman, and who has represented Victoria at U17 and 19 level. I hope he has a really good career ahead of him in the summer game.
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For quite a few of the alumni it was a nostalgic “one day when we were young”.
