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The
Seniors Coach WO2 Andrew Potter (L) together with reserves
coach LEUT Murray McAuliffe (R) point to where they hope
both teams finish the finals campaign.
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By
CPO Rory Munn
The
Cerberus (Aussie Rules) Football Club (CFC) has had an outstanding
year in the 2004 football season.
Playing in the Southern Football League (SFL) for the first time,
both the seniors and reserves teams will contest the finals series.
Reformed as a football club in 2002, the CFC attempted to join
the Mornington Peninsular Nepean Football League for the 2003
season.
Despite the best efforts of the newly formed committee a majority
of the MPNFL member clubs refused to ratify Cerberus’ entry into
the league.
Subsequently an invitation was made to apply for entry into the
West Gippsland Latrobe Football League (WGLFL). Cerberus’ entry
to that league was ratified by the member clubs to contest the
2003 season.
Unfortunately this league proved to be an extremely strong country
football league with many ex-AFL and other professional players
playing for respective clubs.
Despite trying hard each match, Cerberus was unable to match the
skill and professionalism of the other teams and the seniors were
beaten soundly each week, although the reserves managed several
wins.
Due to this on-field performance, a less than complimentary article
and cartoon appeared in the Melbourne Herald-Sun newspaper dubbing
the team as “cabin boys”
This year the seniors, under the direction of WO2 Andrew Potter,
the national Army coach, assisted by POCIS Craig Davis have been
in the top four since round three, finishing in second spot with
14 wins and four losses.
The reserves, with LEUT Murray McAuliffe at the helm, have been
in the top two since the start of the season and have been ladder
leaders for most of the year, finishing the season with 15 wins
and three losses.
The CFC has also had a good year off the ground. Under the direction
of the Club President, CMDR Mick Murray, and the Vice President,
LCDR John Goss, the club finished in second spot on the Best Conducted
Club points table, a very credible effort for the clubs initial
year.
The CFC was also elected as a Community Club Of The Week Award
and will contest the Community Club Of The Year Award with the
other 20 nominees state wide.
This award is for clubs who have an input into the local community.
It recognises Cerberus’ efforts to take the Navy to the local
community through football and for the encouragement of Australian
Football to the Navy community.
An enthusiastic group led by CPO Sean Huxtable and including LS
Ron Driscoll, SMNs Gavin Delaney, Richard Gregory, Peter Dooly
and Jennifer North saw to umpiring duties for our reserves’ matches.
Whatever the outcome of the finals campaign, the CFC has had an
enjoyable year providing football to several hundred young men
and enjoyment for our spectators.
A special thanks also to CReST, Cerberus Dry Cleaners, Australian
Defence Credit Union, Glendennings Menswear, Tucketts’ Tyrepower
and Hastings Retravision for their sponsorship and match day awards.
