■ Football is a magnificent facilitator at every level of society, sometimes even when it doesn’t want to be. Look at what happened last week, when former Australian of the Year Adam Goodes polarised opinion right across the country with his goal celebration against Carlton. Then there’s the Neale Daniher story, which has brought tears to the eyes of football’s toughest men and united them and others to support a man fighting for his life and the lives of others. In the middle of this is Juddy’s knee, Hird’s future (again) and Rance’s contract – the important and the not-so-important in life’s big picture, but each garnering its share of the spotlight. People love to talk about footy and the people involved. They all want the inside story or claim to know someone who gave them the dirt. It’s mostly harmless. What I do like is the way footy can shape public opinion for the better, like on racism, and when it can help causes like Daniher’s fight against motor neurone disease.
■ Grassroots sport is where it starts for every sportsperson and I don’t think the elite levels are giving this enough time, care and, most importantly, money. Think locally and Brad Johnson started at Hoppers Crossing Football Club, Dougie at Braybrook, Merv Hughes played at Footscray Cricket Club and Fawad Ahmed at Hoppers Crossing. Auskick and the Milo cricket programs are fantastic and I’d like to see them acknowledged more when a player like Bailey Dale debuts at AFL level. His Auskick centre, his junior club and, if applicable, his TAC Cup and school teams should be part of the celebration and they should be part of his profile in the record, club website etc. There was a time when the junior clubs received a financial payment from the AFL, but that’s long gone. A mention should be the least they deserve.
■ If you have the chance to get to J.L. Murphy Reserve this Saturday to support the Port Melbourne Colts Beanies for Bird Day, please do. The club has been sensational in its support for Marcel Bouchard, who has terminal brain cancer. Marcel is only 34 and that’s the most telling thing about this disease which strikes the young. Beanies will be on sale at the ground and you can make a donation. Well done to Ben Brown, Brad Julier and everyone at Port Colts. This is what local footy is all about. We saw similar commitment at Albion Football Club recently. It’s just sensational.
