The under 14s in their winning game against Camperdown.
Port Fairy player Colin Harwood (right) in the under 18s game against Warrnambool. Pictures: Martina Murrihy
Last week's result was not what I expected after a good week on the track and a terrific first quarter, however, we were soundly beaten by a bigger, stronger Warrnambool team.
The dual between leading goal kicker Jason Rowan and the young Mason Crosier was the highlight of the game for me. Mason matched him for pace, spoiling many marking attempts and did quite well in one-on-one duels. Mason rightly deserved his side's best player; his confidence to be able to compete with the big boys will be worth watching for the remainder of the season.
The Reid Oval is in desperate need of rest, it's in a bad state of disrepair with the cricket pitch area a health risk to players. We are lucky at the Gardens Oval that we don't have a turf wicket centre.
Warrnambool 20.18 (138) defeated Port Fairy 1.3 (9)
Goals: Samuel Martin 1.
Best: Isaac Martin, Lachlan Young, Mason Crosier, James Vickers, Paul Young, Samuel Martin.
One topic I would like to air is the role of the TAC Cup, the AFL under 18 competition. Is it really needed? I have heard and read many opinions and articles on this subject and have come to a conclusion regarding the role it is really playing. It is providing many employment opportunities for mostly ex-league footballers and making the elite players better prepared for the AFL.
The percentage of boys who go on to bigger and better things is very low. What happens to the rest, those who don't make it?
Some go home to their junior club, others choose the dollar and a lot discontinue playing because they have spent two years doing pre-seasons from October to March, then playing March to September. Does an athlete at that age need that much training? No they are burnt out.
Many boys who don't make the grade have entered the TAC Cup program from juniors and when discarded they come back to their original club and come up against men, naturally they get knocked around by bigger bodies. Why can't a young fella make the natural progression from Sunday juniors, Saturday morning under 18s and senior footy then straight through to the AFL the sensible way?
Also what this competition has done to the game of cricket is immeasurable and worth another article someday.
Our goods and services auction was a great success.
Thanks to Daniel Myers from Wyton Events and Catering and his offsider Oliver for providing a terrific meal and to all who attended the night.