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The Border Watch : October 30th 2013
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SPORT NEWS TIPS sport@tbw.com.au Choose a new way of life. Choose Lines in red hot form From back page Lines then did everything superb to hold out Farr, then came Cunningham, Jamie Veal, Domain Ramsay, Jack Lee, Darren Mollenoyux, Will Carroll and John Vogels. The 29-year-old said the allimportant front row start was the key to winning the race. “I threw everything at that time trial to get off the front,” Lines said. “For me then it was all about the start and I got beaten twice by Farry off the start so I was pretty rapt to get a third go at it,” he said. “There was some good gamesmanship there and Farry got away quick once and was pulled back but I knew another crack at him I’d be right. “In the race I knew he was coming and I was glad in the end it was just 12 laps.” For Farr it was his fourth consecutive fi nish in second in a major this season and he was again ruing his luck. “Everything was falling into place for most of the night right up until that third start in the fi nal for us,” Farr said. “I think we had the better race-car in a straight line and we know we’re on the pace, I’m sure we’ll get a win very soon,” he added. “For me though I really wanted to win the Jackpot as the Drew family have been great to me here at Avalon over the years.” Cunningham’s stunning efforts were something he was still coming to terms with after the feature. “I think I’ll be pinching myself all the way home, it’s a bit surreal right now,” Cunningham said. “I was really just happy to make the feature race,” the Victorian said. The shock exit of current Australian champion James McFadden in time trials was the earlier talking point of the crowd of 3000 when he had a left rear tyre blow and was bundled out of the night. The evening opened with a pair of 25 lap qualifi ers which saw Lines and Veal win, then Veal went on to blast his opposition in the semi-fi nal from Lines, Nick Lacey, Farr and McFadden. Carl Ludeman held his opposition off to win the last chance non qualifi ers when tear-away leader Dennis Jones rolled with three laps on the clock. While 18-year-old Warrnambool youngster Will Carroll again showed his superb racing talent making the Jackpot race after coming from fourth in the non-qualifi ers race and making the fi nal 12 in time trials. In Lines’ six outings in the 2013-14 season thus far, he has netted four consecutive fi rst place fi nishes off the back of a 13th. His season kick-started on September 6 in far north Queensland with a second in the A-main of the $10,000 to win at Mackay Speedway. END OF AN ERA: Tony Porter has stood down as coach of Penola Football Club, ending his stint at the helm on a high with the 2013 Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League premiership. Porter will be replaced by Adam Merrett (bottom right) in season 2014. $11,990 DRIVE FROM AWAY Merrett to coach Penola ABS BS WITH EBD & BA WIT T TH 4.5LITRES per 100km fuel effi ciency Eagles look to one of their own to replace Tony Porter struggling club. JACKSON TREVOR JA T trevor@tbw.com.au tr ON the back of a successful 2013 Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League (KNTFL) season, reigning premiers Penola have announced a new coach for the upcoming season. Adam “Hoggett” Merrett has been given the nod as playing coach after the departure of Tony Porter, bringing extensive experience to the top job, including a stint this year as playing coach for the KNTFL interleague squad. Club president David Galpin said while they were hoping Porter would continue for another season or two he was pleased to have Merrett available to take the reins. “Tony puts his heart and soul into football and he went out on a high,” Galpin said. “He simply thought it was time someone else had a go. “If Tony had coached for another year or more, whenever he was going to have a spell ‘Hoggett’ would be the next step. “He has played with and under Tony and knows how the club is moving forward and looking after the younger players.” Galpin said Merrett’s experience playing at Glenelg and Port Adelaide in the SANFL under coaches such as Jack Cahill would be invaluable to the club. “He brings strong leadership and has the respect of the young and older players,” Galpin said. “If you bring an outsider in you take one step forward and two steps back so it also gives us stability. “We’ve been grooming a lot of young fellows – in the grand fi nal side we had 15 players under 22 years of age and they’re going to be the next senior group. “He has been playing footy with them and has probably coached most of those guys in the under 17s.” Merrett said he was pleased to take on the role despite the obvious added pressure of taking the reins “Dylan has a lion of a heart and will be missed,” Merrett said. “He has a fair tie to Robe with family and I think deep down he wanted to stay for another year but the timing was right for him to go back home and help his club. “I give him 10 out of 10 for doing that. “I was one of the fi rst ones he rang about his decision and he’s a straight shooter so I totally respect that.” Merrett said he isn’t fazed by the added pressure of a playing coach and doesn’t see it affecting his onfi eld performance. “There is the added pressure of trying to organise the team but I think once you’re a playing coach you simply have to go out and do your part for the team. “I’m at the age where I know my responsibilities – I’m ready to coach. “When the pressure is on it’s not really affecting my performance but you have to have good people around too.” And one of those people is Merrett’s brother John who he plans to keep on as assistant coach and tactician. “John was left hand man for Tony,” he said. “We talk a lot about football so basically he will be the eyes and ears behind me. RISING TO THE CHALLENGE: With over 100 goals to his name, coaching the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League interleague squad as well as Penola’s senior colts, and a premiership medallion in season 2013, Adam Merrett will take on arguably the biggest responsibility of his career next year after being appointed as senior coach of the Eagles for 2014. of a premiership-winning team. “Coaching at the senior level is something I have wanted to do for a while but the timing had to be right,” he said. “I have a great passion for my football and have had a lot of experience at state and SANFL level. “I basically put my hand up for the interleague coaching position to get a taste of coaching at senior level and I enjoyed that. “I do feel the pressure to come in and keep the club number one and that won’t come easy, but if we put our heads down and keep our noses clean we should be right. “Obviously you keep that pressure on board but coming off a premiership and having good young players there, the group is as good as it’s been for a long time.” But the new coach has already taken one blow with the loss of Mail Medalist Dylan Coxon, who is heading to Robe to help the “As a playing coach you need someone on the bench you have confi dence in who can give feedback on the side line so you can move on to the next quarter.” With his own wedding fast approaching Merrett said he would ensure his team has a good rest before hitting the track in earnest on November 22. And he said the boys were all pleased with his appointment and looking forward to the new season. “I’ve had a fair few messages over the weekend and touched base with everyone,” Merrett said. “The young players are keen to get going but I don’t want to burn them out. “I’m looking forward to a new chapter in my footy.” 629158 SPORT 35 MAC SUZUKI 44 Mount Gambier Road, Millicent Phone 8733 1461 LMVD 45868 Pictures: TREVOR JACKSON The Border Watch, Wednesday, October 30, 2013 - 35 5 Star Rating greenvehicleguide.gov.au g Bluetooth connectivity Bl AIR CON 6AIRBAGS USB iPod connectivity 4 Star ANCAP Rating 4 ESC
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