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November 4, 2008
REPORT ON ‘ONE WHITE’ 2008 /9 PREVIEW - ROUND ONE

TWO WEEKS TO GO

Ya jus’ gotta believe ya gut when predicting where they will finish
Who’s got the goods for a top four finish this year?

MOSSIES

Well looking at their back end it just bristles with talent. Rags senior and junior (although I hear junior has been doing more with his hands than just bowling – hope the injury recovers good) Mr. Withers, Rad Anderson, Brad the Ball and who know who else. This is a pretty handy start to any 16 and they must rate a finish somewhere in the top 4.

Not to mention that home ground advantage when the Doctor and his nurses come in – it blows a bloody gale – you just think you have a handle on it and someone wants to shake your hand as the game is all over apparently.
Go Mossies

STIRLING

Alan Erceg tells us they have the best playing group money can buy. The big question is have they spent enough and was it spent wisely.

It has been a long time since the “Croatian Connection” was so far up in 1st Division – who knows they may get giddy and fall – perhaps that’s just wishful thinking.

They have some talent out at Balcatta Marko P, Tony K, Tommy N, big Alan E, not sure about Andy T and of course there is Dinko G and a few more that are yet to pay their subs.

There are more than a few at Stirling who hate to lose – so they will be there in the top 4 with a couple more

THORNLIE Ravens

This club has the 2 complaint – too many surfaces to pick to play on – too many who want to skip – too many selectors – too much talent – too many over 60 – too many that enjoy a drink – and the list goes on.

Ask around at Ravenhill Road and you will be told in no uncertain terms that this is the clubs last year in white – hope that means promotion – joking of course.

Their skips this year could come from the following group Big Jim M, Ricky G, Paul P, Glyn V, Danny P, Alan P, Don M, Alan C, shit that’s 8 how many do they need – they should find four useful contenders from that group.

Their front end also is laden with talent albeit perhaps not widely known there are some very useful bowlers dwelling at this club. Known as the “Quiet Achievers” they will have a top four spot come round 18.

MORLEY

Being a recent Red club and finishing in the top 4 last season must stand this club in reasonable stead this year. Sherro is doing the selecting and he always gets it right.

Their greens are always on the quick side and home wins will be an important ingredient of a successful finish for this club. Having lost gentleman spruce Bruce W to Mandurah will be Sherro’s first assignment – who will replace the Spruce.

Bruce U may or may not line up so that may be Sherro’s second challenge. Morley has depth of talent and this season will test their depth of character. I am not prepared to writ them off just yet as I believe there will be fight in that dog who dwells at Morley.

Good luck Sherro and the boys – you will need a little – however with Wayne N and John A, Peter A and a few you have no doubt uncovered Morley is a top 4 club for me.


THE OTHER TWO SPOTS 5TH AND 6TH

WANNEROO

Well not much can be said about this club and I believe a good year could be beckoning. It is with reluctance that I have placed Wanneroo outside the top 4, they did very well last year in Blue finishing 2 games clear of Stirling and should perform well again this season and could challenge Stirling for a top 4 spot.

Ecko W has me a little worried particularly if they leave him alone at the bar too often – seen this man in action and with a few on board he is a difficult customer to handle. Messrs Watson, Bowen and Broad will probably round out their back end and they do have another one or two up their sleeve in case of emergency.

Go the “Roos” it should be a good year for you all.

OSSIE PARK

Well what can be said about this club that has not already been said? They are a bit like Thornlie with some ageing fellows who still think they can bowl – a very dangerous animal especially with their ties to the pet food industry you just know they will all be well fed and fit for action. With the likes of Rance D, Guelfi C and K and of course “young Duggie E” heading up their rinks and some tidy front enders in support they will hang on this year, who knows – may even threaten a top 4 spot.

Well that rounds out the top 6 spots and leaves just four clubs remaining – what of their chances this year in White.

Bedford – Hilton – Leeming – Melville

Of these four Hilton appear to be in with the best chance of surviving – my reason being that only two bowlers evaporated from their club since last year.

Leeming must feel a little like a leper as there has been some what of a mass exodus since last season with players going to Kardinya, Manning and Thornlie and probably elsewhere – perhaps Leeming should consider a Travel Agency arrangement to assist with travel plans for their members.

Melville are somewhat in the same boat as Leeming too many gone and too much discontent. Not sure how long it will take to complete a reasonable rebuilding at this once very successful club – hope they make it.

That leaves Bedford still suffering from player drain. Cliff G has some very broad shoulders and this season they will need to be as broad as Charles Atlas’ as they will be expected to hold a lot. Good luck Cliff you are gonna need it.

IN SUMMARY

Well that just about sums it up for me so home to Flo and a quickie - BEER THAT IS!!!!

Good luck and great bowling to all the 160 blokes that step out this season for their respective clubs in White.
It has been a lot of fun putting this pre-season blurb together and I trust no one takes any of Andy’s comment too seriously.

We all need to laugh at ourselves occasionally and remember Andy’s famous quote “The beer always tastes better when drinking with good people”.

So win lose or draw, enjoy the hospitality of your hosts when ever you can as there are a shit load of people PARKED at Karrakatta that would just love to be in your shoes.

Tarah and good bowling