WHEN WINTER COMES
Across Australia the cricket season is drawing to a close with tens of thousands of teams putting away their gear as football, rugby and soccer takes over for the long winter months. Training has been under way for some time and hope will spring anew for district clubs in the Riddell, Northern, GV and Bendigo leagues. Broadford is to debut in the latter after a couple of seasons in recess. Numbers have been good at training and new coach Nathan Thompson will be hoping for a good season. The former Hawthorn star widely experienced in coaching is also in charge of Assumption First XVIII in the AGSV competition. He will have a busy year combining the two roles.
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AFL TO INDIA?
The AFL is the nation’s richest sporting body. Like the other sports – e.g. cricket, rugby, tennis, soccer – it wastes a lot of money. Over the years it has spent multi-millions of dollars trying to take the code to England, New Zealand, China, South Africa without any success. Now it talks about taking the game to India where cricket is “religion” and playing space at an absolute premium. It has lost in excess of $50 million a year with the women’s AFL. Maybe its money would be better spent propping up aligning leagues and clubs – and there are plenty of them in regional and rural Australia.
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LOTS TO SHOW
Assumption enters its 68th year in the competition with 40 premierships to show and a long line of VFL/AFL graduates, a number of whom are immortals of the game. Names such as Francis Bourke, Brendan Edwards, Neale Daniher, Shane Crawford are at the forefront of a long list.
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The late Bernie McCarthy – one of five brothers who came to ACK from a farm near Yea – was a champion for ACK, North Melbourne, Preston, South Bendigo, Rushworth, Seymour and Broadford. He played until his 40s and is fondly remembered.
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Assumption has found it tough in recent times, and many will be hoping 2026 ushers in a new era. Jane Vaughan’s iconic painting shows the college versus Trinity in the 60s.
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One of a host of former collegians who still follows ACK’s fortunes closely is veteran ear, nose and throat specialist Jack Kennedy. Jack has been involved with Collingwood in various roles over a long period. Jack still recalls his long-ago college days with affection and nostalgia. “Different times, often tough, but great Marist teachers, and the beginning of lifetime friendships. We learned valuable lessons not only in the classroom but on the playing fields” Jack told me.
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Assumption First XI cricketers have had another good season with finals in prospect. Coach Luke Hamilton has done a fine job at the helm for several seasons with his teams very competitive and regularly in finals. Several ACK players of his time are playing with premier clubs in Melbourne.
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TURNING HEADS
A visit from 1979 cricket premiership captain Tim Scala the other day was a reminder of a prediction he made some 20 years ago. Then a member of cricket South Australia he’d been watching a young kid practice in the Adelaide oval nets. Tim phoned and told me: “This boy will play for Australia”. The lad was Travis Head.
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JOYS OF SCHOOL DAYS
These two lads may be discussing the joys of school-day life – in the classroom and on the playing fields. For most, these formative years bring happy memories. But they pass so quickly, as the years rush by. Every student should endeavour to make the most of their school days.
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RELIEF AT LAST
Recent and long-awaited rains across much of Australia, including this region, has brought relief to farmers. The long “dry” has been punishing and on top of ever-increasing taxes has pushed many to the brink. The outback homestead with its red dirt and pitiless blue sky has been too familiar a scene.
