■ Newport Power Junior Football Club has been around now for 10 years and is certainly a club on the up and up. In the next few years, the club will be heading into senior ranks of the WRFL and the foundation they have built in the 10 years so far will hold the club in good stead for the future. They are currently looking for a second ground, and netball and basketball courts are being built, to enable further growth as a club. I have no doubt the Power will be a power for many years to come.
■ Glenice Rhodes is not a household name in the west but chances are, if you have had anything to do with the Bulldogs, you will have spoken to Glenice or seen her. Glenice is the Bulldogs’ receptionist and last week chalked up 20 years at Whitten Oval. She is a runaway winner as the Dogs’ longest-serving employee. You can imagine she has had to put up with some cranky Bulldogs’ supporters over the years, but Glenice is always friendly and incredibly efficient at her job.
■ I have been trying to work out which player Easton Wood reminds me of in the red, white and blue. It came to me on Saturday night watching him back into packs and take courageous overhead marks, time after time. He is fearless, like Michael Ford used to be back in the eighties. ‘Fruitcake’, as he was known, would volunteer to be the player to fill the hole in front of the powerhouse full forwards of the time, including Tony Lockett and Jason Dunstall. Easton displays similar courage. He is right on track for All Australian selection and maybe a Charles Sutton medal. He has had issues but now he is 100 per cent fit, we can all see what a quality player he is.
Congratulations to Farren Ray on his 200-game milestone, 75 of these wearing the red, white and blue.
■ Tickets are on sale for the 17th EJ Whitten Foundation grand final lunch. This year it moves from its traditional Thursday timeslot to Wednesday, September 30, at Atlantic at Docklands. Guest speakers are always first-class and this year, the very funny Vince Sorrenti will be one of the star attractions. Tickets are available at www.ejwhittenfoundation.com.au or call 1300 Whitten. Last weekend, the WRFL celebrated EJ’s contribution to footy with a dedicated senior round. It’s hard to believe it has been 20 years since his death.
Kevin Hillier
