Following our exes...................

[bornadog]

Could he have eventually made it?

King Panos


While we’re talking of veterans who had a taste of the AFL, the performance of former Bulldog Marty Panos for Norwood on Friday night is worth a mention.

Panos was returning from a knee injury suffered in August 2020, meaning he had not played SANFL seniors for 628 days. He kicked four goals including the match-winner that helped the Redlegs, coached by Jade Rawlings, to regain the lead against the Adelaide Crows.

“The King is back” was all that was said in the rooms after the match after one of the game’s more remarkable returns.

[Axe Man]

Could he have eventually made it?[URL="https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/snap-shot-how-nathan-buckley-is-keeping-a-dying-football-fashion-alive-20220531-p5aptw.html"]

He was touted as a mature age recruit a few years ago but obviously never got picked up and apparently picked up a nasty knee injury according to that. Probably one of those could have beens but things didn't quite fall his way.

[josie]

Nice to see Will Hayes get another go with Blues in mid season draft. Wish him well, except when they play us!

[EasternWest]

Nice to see Will Hayes get another go with Blues in mid season draft. Wish him well, except when they play us!

It's perfect because he seems a good fella and hard worker but as an opponent inspires no fear at all.

[azabob]

Did Nick Austin recruit Hayes at the bulldogs? As he is now Carlton's recruiting manage.

[soupman]

Did Mark Austin recruit Hayes at the bulldogs? As he is now Carlton's recruiting manage.

Nick Austin?

Yes he moved to Carlton January 2020 which was immediately after the draft where Hayes was recruited.

[azabob]

Nick Austin?

Yes he moved to Carlton January 2020 which was immediately after the draft where Hayes was recruited.

Thanks for the correction, yes Nick. Must be a Hayes fan!

[comrade]

If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.

[Axe Man]

If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.

The title of Adrian Dodoro's autobiography?

[bornadog]

The title of Adrian Dodoro's autobiography?

Very Funny, but true

[G-Mo77]

Nice to see Will Hayes get another go with Blues in mid season draft. Wish him well, except when they play us!

Just a shame it's for the Blues. Good luck to him though. One of those VFL Premiership heroes so always a soft spot for one of those guys.

[MrMahatma]

That’s a nice news story. Good luck to him.

[bornadog]

Former AFL Bulldog Zephaniah Skinner kicking goals for his Kimberley community

Former national and state league footballers are not a totally unfamiliar sight on the footy ovals of far-northern Western Australia.

In only his third game of the year for the Looma Eagles, the former Western Bulldog slotted eight goals against the Broome Saints, with family cheering him on.

Skinner, who spent two seasons at Whitten Oval, was resting forward, conceding his "body is feeling a bit old".

"It's no stress, just having fun and kicking the ball," he said.

"[I used to play] ruck or in the middle all the time, now [I'm] just trying to kick a goal."

Born in Derby and drafted as a 20-year-old in 2010, Skinner played eight games for the Bulldogs, but homesickness and a love for his country drew him back home to Noonkanbah, 100km south-west of Fitzroy Crossing.

"I feel good about being back home," he says.

Like an increasing number of young men and women from the Kimberley playing at the highest level, he is a hero to the kids in his community.

"I'm trying to bring footy back to the community," he says.

"I went to Looma to help out basically because there's a group of young boys there who need that leadership."

The distances between locations and friendly footy rivalries over the Kimberley also encourage families to travel long distances to catch up.

"I think it's a part of our culture, getting the family together," he said.

"Just playing with the family, little brothers, uncles.

"I just want to give all the young boys an opportunity."

Despite being back in the Kimberley for nearly 10 years, his pre-match routine has hardly changed much.

Skinner still scoops up a big bowl of pasta the night before a game.

[bornadog]

[Hotdog60]

Tommy looks like his enjoying life post footy.