Australia’s ‘most controversial’ bush footy club is on the move while an NTFL star faces the music

And it appears they won’t be getting too many pats on the back on the way out.

The Dora Creek Swampies, who have made plenty of headlines in recent seasons, have finally rubber stamped a move from the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby League A Grade competition to the Central Coast.

It brings to close an unenviable reign they have had over the northern league, having claimed six minor premierships and three titles in the past seven years.

Judging by the response to the news on our local sport pages, it isn’t time to mourn the loss for some supporters left in the league. While we probably can’t republish the responses here, take our word for it: the Swampies aren’t going to be missed.

From on-field punch-ups, to crowd violence and accusations of having their own salary sombrero, the Swampies have also had their fair share of headline grabbing moments in recent years – and have even been described as “the most controversial team” in bush footy.

After complaints from the club that teams were actively forfeiting matches against them last season due to an apparent disparity in ability, the Swampies decided enough was enough.

“Everybody’s really pumped (about the move), especially given the last couple of years and how everything turned out in the Newcastle comp,” club president Harley Farrugia said.

“Everyone’s really excited for the new adventure and new challenge ahead, especially the older group of guys who’ve been around for a while – they’ve got an extra spring in their step and are raring to go.”

The Swampies are expected to field teams in all four grades including women’s this season.

Williams charged after shocking NTFL finals moment

Speaking of controversies and football.

One of the most controversial hearings in local footy will reach a conclusion this week when the NTFL tribunal meets to determine the fate of PINT midfielder Warwick Williams.

The footballer was involved in a moment of madness in the first week of NTFL finals when he grabbed a teenage referee by the shirt and threw him to the ground during an on-field melee.

Williams, a convicted criminal who was in his first season back in the NTFL after spending more than a year behind bars, was granted a stay of proceedings during the week after the matter was referred direct to the judiciary.

Video footage of the incident, which occurred in the final quarter of the elimination final between PINT and Southern Districts, showed Williams crash into a contest with opposing players. He appeared to strike at two Southern Districts opponents with the pair falling to the ground.

Williams was then involved in a melee with several players, and as the young umpire attempted to break up the commotion, Williams reached out and grabbed the umpire and threw him to the ground.

Williams was then forced off the field and put on report, and on Tuesday was officially charged with intentionally making contact with an umpire.

The incident was a major talking point across the sport this week, and had divided opinion with one former senior official coming to the defence of the player.

“It’s unfortunate, and it’s not a great look – but I don’t think there was any malicious intent from the player,” former AFL umpire Michael Pell said.

“My feedback to that young umpire would be to keep distance from any melee and players. Don’t try to break it up.”

There’s no wind in this willow

Pakenham cricketer Chris Smith is on another level when it comes to run-scoring this Summer.

A level that the $120 piece of willow in his kit bag probably doesn’t belong.

Smith is arguably the most in-form batsman in club cricket having blazed 140no, 210no and 214no in successive innings in the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association.

What’s more, the bat he has used to plunder opposition attacks is a reject of sorts. One of Pakenham skipper Dale Tormey’s cast offs.

“Last year I think my bat may have broken or I wasn’t really liking the feel of it,” Smith explained.

“So he (Tormey) has thrown me one of his and I’m pretty sure I scored some runs that day so I thought, ‘yep, that one’s staying in the kit’, and it hasn’t left since, which he hasn’t minded.”

Smith admits he’s been “cashing in” during a stretch of form most batters can only dream about. He’s up to 891 runs for the season, at an average of 111.

They’re numbers The Don might have even been proud of.

Twaits wining and dining on the greens

Speaking of ageless records, Ballarat golfer Neil Twaits is just like a fine wine.

He simply keeps getting better.

Twaits is one of Ballarat’s best sportsmen, excelling at five sports including golf, tennis, cricket, footy and squash during a career spanning more than six decades.

In three of those sports he has won high-level local titles, making him one of the most influential sportsmen to ever come from the region.

Now he can add another substantial milestone to the growing honour board.

The 85-year-old recently shot a round of golf below his age.

It’s a rare achievement most golfers are lucky to achieve once. Incredibly, for Twaits, it was the 150th time he has done it.

He’s achieved the milestone most often at Ballarat Golf Club but Twaits has also “shot his age” at Torquay, Shepparton and Yarrawonga.

It is a milestone that has taken serious work for the avid golfer, who started playing the game when he was 15. He joined the Ballarat Golf Club three years later and never left.

“There might be 90 to 100 times I’ve broken it but the rest I’ve played to it,” he said. “I first broke my age at 69 when I was at Torquay and shot a 68.”

Fresh Prince of Moore Park

From one end of the age spectrum to the other, there is a young Waratah in town who is a throwback to another era.

Towering teenager Zion Poitaha is the guitar-playing, swagger-laden future Waratah who has drawn more than a couple comparisons to a young Will Smith.

The Waratahs will be hopeful their own Fresh Prince grows into his own natural talents over the coming years after shunning opportunities on the basketball court and rugby league field to pursue a future in the 15-man code.

It’s not hard to see why other sports had showed plenty of interest in the Sydenham youngster – it’s just you might have to stand on tippy-toes to see it all.

Poitaha comes in on the measuring tape at a high 196cm, but has given us the inside scoop that might not be the end of his ‘growth spurt’.

“I’m six-foot-five now but my dad is six-six and mum is six-four, so I’m hoping to grow some more,” the former St Pious Enmore, Tempe High and Waverley College student said.

“Six foot eight is the goal.”

Poitaha returned to the field for the NSW Under-18s at Ballymore last weekend after a long year off the field due to a shoulder injury which required surgery and a long stretch of rehabilitation.

“It’s just makes me want to play it more,” he said of his long lay-off. “I learned a lot about patience and taking care of my body which is good.

“Now I am back to full noise.”

Local sport star of the Week

How could we go past our very own future Olympian Helena Carey. The six-year-old pocket rocket has dreams of emulating Australian middle-distance icon Cathy Freeman, and judging by her efforts this week, it isn’t that far off being a reality.

Carey is our newest world record holder after running the 300m in 57.57 seconds, knocking off the previous record held by US runner Bella Marie Black by more than half a second. Well done Helena!

Quote of the Week

“It is weird, I know I am not old at all, but I feel it”.

I think we can all relate with 22-year-old skateboarder Josh Birtwhistle who has noticed his competitors on the Rumble Pro Tour keep getting younger.