LIKE many people The Standard's journalists are adapting to a period with minimal regional sport amid the coronavirus pandemic. Brian Allen, Sean Hardeman, Justine McCullagh-Beasy and Nick Ansell are eager to talk sport via The Commentary Box.
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BRIAN: Nick, your survey about the south-west's greatest sportsperson is going gangbusters. We're going to hear from readers about what they think. What do you all think? I've only been in Warrnambool two years but names I've been impressed by so far include AFL Hall of Famer Jonathan Brown and Paralympic rower Kathryn Ross.
NICK: There's been a great response to it mate, definitely. I think it's good to celebrate the talent we have in our region who've gone on to do incredible things. Marc Leishman is one for me. He's top-20 in the world for a sport which has over 24 million players in the United States alone. That's huge.
JUSTINE: It's hard to pick when so many people have achieved results in their chosen sports but agree it's hard to go past Leishman. He was top-12 in the world at one stage and has been on the cusp of winning majors. If he could break through and win one of the big four - the US Masters, British Open, US Open or USPGA - it would cement him as number one. From a football perspective Jono Brown, Jordan Lewis and John Rantall would have to be up there with the success they've had. We talk about Brownie and Jordan a lot because they're fresh out of the game but Rantall is in the team of the century at two clubs - North Melbourne and South Melbourne. Not sure if we're counting coaches in the conversation but Trevor Gleeson's record of five championships in the NBL speaks for itself. One to watch is Aussie cricketer Georgia Wareham. She's achieved so much and she's only 21.
SEAN: I'd have to agree with the Leishman call. He would have to be one of the best to come out of the region. But what is also good about him is he doesn't forget where he is from and is always giving back to his community in some way despite being on the other side of the world. Michelle Ferris would have to be up there as well. It takes a lot to win a medal at the Olympics and to do it in track cycling is also no mean feat.
BRIAN: Yes, I'd love to hear more about south-west legends before my lifetime. Hopefully we learn of many from the survey. Justine, enjoyed your piece with Geelong's Gary Rohan who had his start under Wayne Walsh - father of Carlton's Sam Walsh - at Cobden in the Hampden league. He expressed interest in coming back to play with the Bombers when his AFL career is over. Do you know of players in the past who have come back after their AFL career to play with their junior club?
JUSTINE: Good question Brian. Brent Moloney came back to South Warrnambool a couple of years ago after his AFL career ended but only lasted a few games before hurting his hamstring and Jordie McKenzie returned to Terang Mortlake for two years, sadly concussion forced him into a non-playing capacity last year. Multiple Koroit premiership player Joe McLaren had a lot of success with the Saints after his time with St Kilda and North Melbourne came to an end too.
BRIAN: Former AFL players add a bit of buzz to a country league so let's hope it continues in the future. They provided some of my most memorable days at the footy growing up in Wodonga with the Ovens and Murray. I can remember a day North Melbourne skipper Jack Ziebell kicked three or four goals for Wodonga as a teenager. And I saw Brendan Fevola kick a bag for Yarrawonga in a final. Can you recall seeing a country footy performance which stands out?
NICK: One which will forever stick with me is Ben Mugavin's effort in North Warrnambool Eagles' defeat to Koroit in the 2019 Hampden league decider. He was marking everything and it was a genuinely ripping performance. I remember sitting in the media box with Justine and it was just incredible to witness live. Even though Adam Dowie's side couldn't get the job done, it was a cracking match. Another is Luke Weel's effort on former Merrivale coach Jason Rowan at Nirranda a couple of years ago. Weel held Rowan - one of south-west Victoria's best forwards - goalless and really announced himself as the Warrnambool and District league's best defender.
JUSTINE: I remember watching Cedric Cox play in a pre-season game for Camperdown at Friendly Societies' Park when he first arrived in the south-west from Western Australia. I was like 'who is this kid?' He was all class at half-back and glided across the ground. It came as no surprise to see him elevated the NAB League club GWV Rebels midway through the season and then be drafted to Brisbane at the end of 2016. He went at pick 24 which was a remarkable effort given he'd been off the radar at the start of that season. It's been hard for him to consolidate a spot in the star-studded Lions' best 22 but it would be great to see him sneak another game this year.
SEAN: Mine would have to be Kaine Mercovich's performance for the Bottle Greens in last year's interleague when he dominated against Ballarat at Mars Stadium. He just seemed to be on another level that day and was one of the main reasons why the Hampden interleague side, led by Jono Brown, thumped Ballarat. He was clean with his ball use and he also hit the scoreboard twice and played a hand in some other goals too. It was something one of the dominant AFL midfielders are capable of.
