Second quarter struggles for Kilmore Blues

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July 31, 2023

Second quarter struggles for Kilmore Blues

A rough second quarter for Kilmore in its Northern Football Netball League, NFNL, division three match against Mernda saw the Blues suffer a 20-point loss at home.

In a low-scoring match at JJ Clancy Reserve, the final scoreline was Kilmore 8.7 (55) to second-placed Mernda 11.9 (75).

It was a close contest in the first quarter, with Mernda kicking the first goal, followed the Blues scoring a major to make it a four-point game.

Kilmore’s second quarter had them behind the eight-ball in Saturday’s match against the second-placed Mernda.

But the second quarter was all Mernda’s way, with Demons on a scoring run, kicking five goals.

Limited opportunities in the second term meant there was very little the Kilmore forward line could do to stem the flow.

Kicking one goal for the quarter, the Blues headed into halftime down by 31 points – with just two scoring shots to Mernda’s 13.

Kilmore gained some momentum in the third quarter kicking two goals, while also halting Mernda’s scoreboard movement to two goals.

With another strong quarter in the fourth, Kilmore brought the game back to within eight points, before Mernda took a mark and kicked a goal off a Kilmore turnover.

The Blues kicked four goals in the final quarter to bring the margin to 14 points but a shot on goal after the siren saw the Demons extend their lead out to 20 points and secure the win.

Kilmore senior coach Paul Derrick said the second quarter had cost his side.

“The first quarter was really even. The second quarter we just did nothing right – we were terrible,” he said.

“It was probably one of our worst quarters of the year and in the end it cost us the game.

“Our second half was fantastic. We outscored them and it was real physical, real tough football.

“We moved the footy really well and when the final siren went it was 14 points.

“They kicked a goal after the siren but they’re a top two side and in the end whether it’s 14 points or 20 points, we were right in the game especially for three quarters. It was one quarter that just let us down.”

Bailey Derrick had a strong game at half back, while Grant Paxton worked hard at centre halfback and through the midfield.

Derrick said Lachlan Chesher was also ‘fantastic’ at the weekend.

“It wasn’t like there was bad player. It was more like there was one quarter where we didn’t have a good player,” he said.

“One quarter killed us, and in the end we faced the price.”

This Saturday, the Blues travel to Lalor and, after their 185-point win against the Bloods in round seven, Kilmore will be hoping for a change in fortune.

“What we’ve done in the last half this week is what we want to replicate for the rest of the season,” Derrick said.

“We need to have a good 12 quarters for the remainder of the year. That’s got to be our aim. We’re just trying to keep getting better.”

After a bye round for NFNL division one, Whittlesea will make its return this Saturday in an away game against West Preston-Lakeside.

Vale Paul ‘Pegsy’ Egan

Grace Frost

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July 31, 2023

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Kilmore Racing ambassador and life member Paul ‘Pegs’ Egan died on Thursday following a battle with ill health.

Mr Egan, 79, was the Review’s racing reporter before retiring earlier this year.

He worked as a proofreader and racing journalist at both the Review and prior The Free Press, for more than 20 years.

Mr Egan was also a longtime contributor to The Winning Post.

His love and passion for the horse racing industry extends back more than 60 years ago.

Although living in Melbourne, Mr Egan and his brother Wayne joined as members of Kilmore Racing Club in the early 1980s.

His nickname of ‘Pegs’ came about because of his brother Wayne’s nickname of ‘Weg’ – who would sign his name in a similar vein to cartoonist William Ellis Green, ‘Weg’.

Mr Egan was elected to the committee in the mid 1980s, before serving as chairman, and was honoured to receive life membership at the club, and be appointed club ambassador in recent years.

Paul Egan 2 1 — Country Racing Victoria regional services manager Leigh Newton, Kilmore Racing Club chief executive Ben Murphy and Kilmore Racing Club ambassador Paul ‘Pegs’ Egan on the club’s upgraded track in 2020.

Kilmore Racing chief executive Ben Murphy said Mr Egan retired from the board in 2014 and was proud to accept the role of the KRC ambassador.

“The ambassador role suited Pegsy perfectly, allowing him to come and host winning owners while always promoting Kilmore and Kilmore Racing Club,” he said.

“His deep racing knowledge and his warm, genuine and hospitable personality made winning a race at Kilmore a special occasion.

“The loss of Pegsy to Kilmore Racing Club is immense and we will never be able to replace the man who was loved by everyone and who cared very deeply about the success of KRC.”

Paul Egan 4 — Racing writer Paul Egan receives his award in 2018 for his contribution to country racing over the years.

He made many friends in the racing industry, both at Kilmore and beyond, including a long association with horse trainer Lee Hope, who trained horses that Mr Egan owned.

His friendship extended to Mr Hope’s wife Carol Shinn, and their family, including son Blake Shinn – now an accomplished jockey.

Paul Egan 6 — Melbourne Cup winning trainer Mick Robins and Kilmore Racing Club Ambassador Paul Egan when the Melbourne Cup tour stopped in Kilmore in 2016.

One of Mr Egan’s great racing highlights was to see Mr Shinn win the Melbourne Cup on Viewed in 2008.

Mr Shinn paid tribute to Mr Egan last week, and said ‘forever in my thoughts Pegs’.

“He was such a great supporter of mine, my family and was adored by the local community in Kilmore,” he said.

Paul Egan 3 — Paul Egan, Kilmore trainer Jody Thompson, former *North Central Review editor Ian Blyth* far left, and *stable foreman Ash Thompson*, at Kilmore Racecourse 2016. Photo: Racing Photos

Review general manager/editor Lauren Duffy said Mr Egan was much-loved by Review staff, both past and present, and the wider community.

“He very reluctantly retired as our racing journalist in May – he was not well enough to continue but he just loved reporting about local racing winners that he didn’t want to give it up,” she said.

“We had always valued Pegsy’s contribution but none more so than throughout COVID lockdowns when there was no community sport allowed and we really relied on the racing reports to carry our sport section each week.

“When I first started with The Free Press in 2000, Pegsy had just joined as a proofreader – he had been at the Note Printing Australia in Craigieburn before that – and he instantly became a loved member of the team.

“He was a gentle giant who was friendly, funny and made friends everywhere he went. We were blessed to have him as part of our team.”

Mr Egan is survived by his partner Sue Nolan, his daughters Robyn, Jodie and Nicole, extended family and many, many friends.

His funeral is at 11am on Friday at Kilmore Trackside.

Wallan’s women secure second spot in Big V action

Jordyn Grubisic

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July 31, 2023

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Wallan’s women secure second spot in Big V action

Wallan Panthers women had back-to-back wins on the weekend, defeating Collingwood All Stars 87 to 79 on Saturday, and then scoring a 41-point over Blackburn Vikings at home on Sunday.

It was a close first quarter in Saturday’s match before the Panthers pulled away to a 16-point lead in the second quarter.

The All Stars attempted to chase but Wallan managed to hold on securing the victory.

Wallan head coach Carey Papanicolaou said it was an up-and-down game with his side stepping up to the challenge.

“Everybody had a good run – I played my bench a lot. There wasn’t really anybody who stood out because everyone played their bit,” he said.

“Kylah Collins, Olivia Dalmau and Sarah Scott were good. We also had good contributions from Melissa Buckley and a couple of the other younger players.”

Sunday’s game was a battle for second position and decided which side would have a home-court advantage in finals.

Collins had a great game with another double-double scoring 27 points and 15 rebounds, while Olivia Woods and Dalmau both had 17 apiece.

Dalmau opened the game with a pull-up jump shot off a steal to get Wallan on the board early.

As would prove to be the trend for the rest of the game, Blackburn struggled to compete offensively, missing four shot opportunities in the same play.

Both teams struggled to score offensively with 16 scoreless transitions between the sides until Collins hit a three-pointer.

After taking a five-point lead into quarter time, Wallan had a better start in the second term. Buckley sunk back-to-back layups while Dalmau was strong off the ball, securing two rebounds and an assist.

Collins got the scoreboard moving again with a steal and layup finish before Blackburn had its first basket in four transitions.

Wallan got on an 11-point scoring run as Blackburn began to find some consistency in offence.

Woods had a strong period of play with an assist, rebound and jump shot finish before Dalmau scored another three-pointer.

Baskets dried up for a couple of minutes before a steal and layup finish from Collins got the ball rolling again.

Blackburn had a final push with four seconds remaining, she stole the ball to score from a layup, as Wallan headed into half time with a 40 to 25 advantage.

The third quarter saw the trend of the Vikings’ scoring trouble continue, whereas Wallan were able to find the basket.

Showing strength under the ring, the Panthers were finishing second efforts off offensive rebounds, and went into the last break leading 73 to 38.

After a Blackburn timeout in the fourth, the gameplay shifted as the Panthers forced three consecutive turnovers, but unlike their opponents, they were able to finish with baskets including a layup from Abbey Dalmau and a three pointer by Collins.

In the final seconds of the game, a Blackburn turnover ended with a three-pointer by Kaitlyn Bickerton as Wallan secured a 41-point victory.

Papanicolaou said it was a ‘must-win game’ for Wallan.

“We needed to win that game to secure second spot because if Blackburn won, they would’ve got us in a head-to-head and it now gives us a home game for finals so it was really important for us to get that win,” he said.

“The girls were amazing Sunday. We didn’t expect that huge of a win.”

Detectives seek information on death of Jodus Murphy in Seymour

Lauren Duffy

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July 27, 2023

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Detectives seek information on death of Jodus Murphy in Seymour

Mitchell Crime Investigation Unit detectives are seeking information into the final movements of Jodus Murphy.

The 18-year-old went missing from Frankston on May 12 and investigators believe he made his way to Seymour shortly after.

Jodus was located dead beside the Goulburn River on June 14.

His death is not believed to be suspicious.

Investigators are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen or had any interaction with Jodus between May 13 and June 14.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Fatal fire at Kilmore’s Kingsgate Village

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Lauren Duffy

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July 26, 2023

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Fatal fire at Kilmore’s Kingsgate Village

A man, 77, has died in a fire at Kilmore’s Kingsgate Village this morning.

Three homes were damaged in the blaze at the gated retirement village at Royal Parade, Kilmore, which started at about 6.13am.

Two units were burnt in the fire and a third sustained heat damage.

All occupants, except one man, had evacuated by the time emergency service crews arrived.

image 24 copy — *Police and emergency services personnel gather at the site of a fatal fire at Kingsgate Village.* *Photo: Nine News*

Mitchell Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined and a crime scene has been established.

Detectives from Victoria Police’s arson and explosives squad and an arson chemist are now on scene.

The occupants of one unit escaped before it was completely destroyed by fire.

The body of a man was located inside the second unit, which was partially destroyed by fire. He is yet to be formally identified.

Smoke from the fire mixed in with a foggy morning in Kilmore. Photo: Max Davies

Victoria Police Acting Inspector Jaymee Cutler said about 40 residents from the village were evacuated.

“His wife is in a fair bit of shock, it’s an awful experience for anybody to go through. Our police members have been sitting very closely with her and helping her get through this, and we’ll get in touch in any other referral services and family that can help,” she said.

It is believed the man and his wife moved into Kingsgate Village in the past few weeks.

A major effort from the region’s emergency services personnel was required at the Kingsgate fire. Photo: Max Davies

Acting Inspector Cutler said no other residents suffered major injuries other than smoke inhalation and shock, with paramedics on scene since about 6.20am.

“This is a tight knit community being a retirement village so I’m sure they’re all gathered around each other to help themselves through the situation,” she said.

About 80 firefighters using 20 Country Fire Authority vehicles attended, and had the fire under control by 7.13am.

image 21 copy — *An aerial view of where the fire occurred at Kingsgate Village, Kilmore, this morning. Photo: Nine News*

Firefighters extinguished the fire and declared the scene safe by 10.17am, but remain at the site to blacken out any hot spots.

CFA issued an advice message earlier today to inform residents of Kilmore and surrounds that smoke may visible from nearby roads but there was no threat to the community.

Royal Parade remains closed to traffic.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Wallan Winter None-derland: Event plans fall through

Max Davies

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July 26, 2023

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Wallan Winter None-derland: Event plans fall through

The Wallan community were left scratching their heads when Wallan’s Winter Wonderland failed to materialise despite a funding announcement from Member for Kalkallo Ros Spence.

Ms Spence announced in a media release on June 22 that ‘Wallan Winter Wonderland’ would benefit from funding as part of the State Government’s Small and Medium Events Program.

“Wallan Winter Wonderland will also be benefiting from this program with $25,000 in funding to deliver their event on July 15, to celebrate all things winter, with food trucks, bespoke breweries, warming fire pits, market stalls, live music, and a whole lot more,” the release stated.

However, event organisers BGGROUPAU told the Review they had notified the department on June 13 that the event was now cancelled – more than a week prior to Ms Spence’s announcement.

Believing the event was to go ahead on July 15, many people took to social media to express their confusion about the event.

Ms Spence confirmed that event organisers had notified the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions the event would not be proceeding the week prior to her statement being released.

“Wallan Winter Wonderland was approved for Small and Medium Events Program funding of $25,000. The event was scheduled for July 15,” she said.

“The grant applicant and organiser of the event notified the department on June 13 that the event would not be proceeding.

“As such, the funding agreement was never signed, and no funding was issued.”

A Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions spokesperson said the Wallan Winterland Festival was approved to receive a grant under the program but no funding was provided.

“We apologise for the administrative error that saw the information incorrectly issued,” they said.

A Mitchell Shire Council spokesperson said council had provided support to BGGROUPAU in the preparation stages.

“Mitchell Shire Council works with many event organisers as part of our event concierge service to ensure that event organisers have appropriate permits and event plans in place,” the spokesperson said.

“In this instance, in February we also provided a letter of support to the event organisers for a grant application and offered in-kind support, should the event go ahead.”

The Hume Diwali Mela event, also promised funding through the Small and Medium Events Program, is set to go ahead on November 4. .

Ray Carroll’s ‘From the Boundary’: July 25, 2023

Ray Carroll

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July 26, 2023

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Ray Carroll’s ‘From the Boundary’: July 25, 2023

ACK to semi

Assumption First XVIII won its final home and away clash for 2023, defeating Mentone 9.13 (67) to 5.7 (37) on Saturday.

The next match is at home for Saturday’s cut throat semi-final versus Ivanhoe.

The Dark and Light Blues have had an even spread of good players all season, with area names prominent including Gilchrist, Fowler, Cavigan, Shinn-Mahony, Higgins and Garcia. The other semi final is Yarra Valley versus Marcellin.

Assumption First XVIII heads into the finals after a season with only one narrow loss to Yarra Valley.

Two strong post-holiday wins over Trinity and Mentone have the side well set for the finals. Other finalists are Yarra Valley, Ivanhoe and Marcellin.

Assumption has defeated the latter two sides in hard fought games this season.

Coach Steve Belos must be quietly confident the defending premiers will record another triumph.

***

Three of last season’s title winning side are progressing well at a high level.

Harry Rowston has debuted for GWS Giants, Cooper Harvey for the Kangaroos and Jedd Longmire, nephew of Swans’ coach John, is playing for Collingwood in the VFL.

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The Ashes series in England has produced some thrilling cricket which has captivated audiences around the globe.

On the TV screens in Australia, it has outrated AFL and NRL almost three to one.

A rising star for England has been young Yorkshireman Harry Brook.

A tall, superb stroke player, he will, I believe, be a superstar of the next decade.

In England in 2005 I visited Sedbergh College, a renowned school in a glorious setting in the Yorkshire Dales.

A teacher I knew there invited me to come for lunch and watch the First XI play. I saw this young kid hit a sublime century against the visiting XI.

The cricket coach said to me ‘this lad will play for England’ and sure enough, he is now a key Poms player.

His name is Harry Brook. He already has centuries against Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand and is the fastest ever batsman to reach a thousand test runs.

Blast from the past

The photo, circa early 70s, shows long-time Kilmore resident Bryan Harding, fourth from left, going out to bat for the Victoria Police XI against Assumption at Brunswick Oval.

On Bryan’s right is Fred Barnett and on his left is Harry Herbert. The latter was a brilliant all-rounder.

He played football for Geelong and was a fearsome fast bowler.

England captain Len Hutton said Herbert was the fastest bowler he encountered on tour to Australia.

Harry was playing for a Victorian country XI at Ballarat against the tourists.

Bryan Harding, beyond his fine career as a police officer and detective, was a fine player and coach of football and cricket teams. He led the ACK XI in 1948.

Quote

A nice quote I came across: “Be kind to everyone you meet, for none of us know of the inner battles almost everyone faces in this life.”

Wallan’s Langborne impresses on international stage

Grace Frost

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July 25, 2023

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Wallan’s Langborne impresses on international stage

WALLAN athlete Mitchel Langborne competed in the Under 20s European Tour last month, representing Australia in the 800-metre running competition.

Langborne travelled to England and Germany to take part in both the Under 20 Championships in Chelmsford and the Mannheim International Gala.

Langborne Germany 1 — Langborne with his fellow competitors at the Mannheim International Gala in Germany.

In Chelmsford, he won his heat race and qualified fastest in the field ahead of the next day’s final, in which he eventually placed second.

Langborne ran in a timed final in Mannheim, winning his 800-metre race to take out the gold medal with a time of 1:50.26 on June 25.

The 18-year-old, who grew up and lives in Wallan, trains once a week at the Keilor St Bernard’s Athletic Club while also training alone by running around Wallan and Greenhill Reserve.

He last year graduated year 12 at Wesley College and has deferred university study for a year to concentrate on running.

Read more about Mitchel:

Wallan athlete headed for Europe

Wandong boxer ahead of the game

Pam Kiriakidis

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July 25, 2023

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By Pam Kiriakidis

WANDONG’s Santino Brigante was crowned Australian Junior Boxing champion in his weight division at the 2023 Australian School Championships earlier this month.

Santino, 15, travelled to Adelaide where he fought against Australia’s best young boxers in the 46kg division.

The first competition was straightforward for Santino, winning all three rounds in a unanimous judge decision against New South Wales opponent Kai Crane-Hayes, who was stopped three times as the referee put a count on.

In the final round, Santino bested his Queensland opponent Shem Travers in a technical knockout and reached the top of his weight class to secure the title.

Santino’s father Guerino ‘Gary’ Brigante said in the eight years he had been involved with his son’s boxing career, he had never heard of a stoppage by a 15-year-old.

Wandong’s Santino Brigante, 15, was named the Australian Junior Boxing champion in the 46kg division at the 2023 Australian School Championships earlier this month.

Before claiming the Australian Junior Boxing Title, Santino competed in several inter-club competitions against boxers from other gyms to build confidence, and was runner-up at the Golden Gloves in Brisbane last year.

The junior champion was first introduced to the sport at age seven after his father asked what sport he wanted to take up as they drove past a boxing gymnasium.

At age nine, Santino began training at House of Stoush Boxing Academy in Wallan, where he now trains four times a week under coach Bryce Poorter.

Gary said Santino was a quick learner.

“When I brought him in for training, because we did some boxing at home, he was too advanced for the kids class, so he got put straight into adult class and never actually got to train with little kids when he started,” he said.

“It’s not only me and my son, there’s a lot of father and son teams that train just as hard and it’s just a sport you can’t play – you can play soccer, you can play tennis, but you can’t play boxing. You either do it seriously or you don’t do it at all.”

Moving forward, Santino is keen to reach Olympic and Commonwealth Games level and to be known as a ‘positive fighter’ in his professional career.

From day one, with the support of his father, Santino said boxing was meant to be his profession.

“I’ve always known because when I first joined boxing, I’ve always had the feeling that this is what I want to do, and I’m going to stick to it,” he said.

“[My dad’s] the one that got me into it. He’s the one that pushed me to do what I’ve done now.”

Santino’s next step is to secure a place to compete in England for the Junior World Title in November.

WR (2023-07-25)

Whittlesea Review

The North Central Review

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July 25, 2023

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