General News
15 March, 2025
Rugby Robbo crunches into action
By GARY WALSH ALL EYES were on Wedderburn rugby convert Mark Robinson when the Redbacks took on Inglewood in a football practice match last Thursday at the Woodies home ground. Wedderburn has lost star big man Jordan Hargreaves to North Bendigo...
By GARY WALSH
ALL EYES were on Wedderburn rugby convert Mark Robinson when the Redbacks took on Inglewood in a football practice match last Thursday at the Woodies home ground.
Wedderburn has lost star big man Jordan Hargreaves to North Bendigo, with Robinson, who has only played Australian football for three years, seen as a promising ruck option.
Robinson, who was recruited from VAFA side West Brunswick, announced himself with a crunching tackle in the opening minutes, with his rugby background coming quickly to the fore.
He alternated ruck work with time at full-forward, and while he didn’t see much of the ball apart from one strong mark, his tap work was excellent, frequently giving his midfielders first use of the ball.
At 195cm and powerfully built, Robinson will share ruck duties with veteran Adam Postle.
Wedderburn coach Tom Metherell said Robinson was “still a work in progress” but had been impressive in his first appearance.
Wedderburn won the five-quarter hit out 13.14 (92) to 7.12 (54) in mild conditions, with both teams rotating players frequently to give them on-field time.
Young Inglewood star Gabe Nevins looked stronger in the body after a big pre-season and played well apart from one sprayed shot that led to a Redback goal.
Coach Fergus Payne was also in fine form off half-back, defending stoutly as Wedderburn peppered the goals early in the match.
The Redbacks appeared stronger, and much quicker, than the Blues when most of the senior players were on the field.
Wedderburn’s lightly built Aaron Smith took the eye with his blistering speed in the midfield.
Just 16, and having moved from King Island, he will start in the juniors, but Metherell said senior football was likely during the season.
New players Jye Mortlock, Mitch Jensen and Ben Bacon impressed, with Bacon’s big frame and strong marking a feature across half-back.
Metherell said the Redbacks were missing eight automatic senior selections, including last season’s best-and-fairest Jackson McEwen, highlighting the club’s depth.
Payne said he didn’t want to single out individuals, preferring to focus on the positive team aspects.
“I don’t want to say anyone stood out, but the positive was the team football and seeing some of the young guys putting their training into practice.”
The two clubs also held netball scratch matches on the evening, helping to blow out the cobwebs with the season proper fast approaching.
Maiden Gully has signed veteran Mitch Taylor for 2025, who joins the Eagles after almost 400 games in four states.
Key defender Taylor was captain of Wanderers in the NTFL this season and played in 2024 with Stawell in the Wimmera League.
He has played for NT Thunder in the NEAFL, West Adelaide in the SANFL and for the Northern Territory team in the Coates Talent League.
AFL Central Victoria has confirmed that Auskick centres will be run this year by Bears Lagoon Serpentine, Inglewood, Pyramid Hill, Boort and Wedderburn