'05 Coach Announced - November 2004

Warrandyte Football Club are thrilled to announce Peter Green as senior coach for season 2005. Peter's football career included a stint in the AFL with Carlton in 1994. More recently he has spent the past two seasons with Montrose as reserve's coach and senior match day coach. Peter has a strong focus on player development which will suit our young side.

Hot favourite Matt Wood won like a hot favourite should at Warrandyte Football Club's presentation night on October 8.

The co-captain and courageous on-baller took the seniors best and fairest award by 10 votes, polling 36 in a super-consistent season to complement his 2001 club champion trophy.

In what amounted to a resounding endorsement of the Bloods' youth development policy, 19-year-old first-year senior player Tom Naughtin finished second, one vote ahead of co-captain Matt Blagrove, another former winner.

Blagrove started the vote count brilliantly but fell off the pace late in proceedings, a reflection of a nagging knee injury. He was running second in EFL best and fairest voting with 14 after 10 rounds but did not add to that tally.

Last year's Reserves champion Ben Reid, another youngster in his first full senior season, was fourth in the Bloods count, a further vote adrift.

Another outstanding performer was mercurial wingman Ricky Bourke,19, who polled 15 votes in the Reserves before promotion to the seniors, where he collected nine in just six full games. That handful of senior appearances also earned him eight votes in the EFL award.

It was a case of déjà vu in the Reserves count, 2002 winner John Prangley scoring by four votes from Tahn Reid, with Brad Giampietro third on 16.

Bourke and Brian Elliott shared fourth spot, one vote back.

Warrandyte players had dominated the Under-18s awards, presented at an earlier function, in the joint venture with Heathmont, John Knudsen, Matt Munroe and Lee Evans running first, second and fourth respectively.

Knudsen was a close second in the competition award and teammate Cal Haskings fourth.

The good news for Warrandyte is that dual club champion Wood will be back next season and the season after that.

"I'll give it two more years -- I want to be part of the 100," he said, referring to the club's centenary in 2006.

Wood said that despite the relative lack of success on the field in 2004, the mateship and feeling within the club had been excellent.

"Winning's great," he said, "but only one team can win. More important is the type of people you have around the club.

"I'll be bringing a couple of mates to Warrandyte next season. They might not be champion footballers, but they're the right sort of people for this club."

The long and stalwart off-field service to the club of Alan Vitiritti was recognised at presentation night with life membership.

Award winners:

Best first-year player

Michael Morello

Senior Coach's award

Ricky Bourke

John McCartin Memorial Shield (most consistent)

Ben Reid

Daryl Valentine Memorial Shield (most determined)

Rick Templeton

Gary "Madge" Allsop Award (most courageous)

Warren Ruehland

Most improved

Chris Chapman

Geoff Darby Memorial Shield (most determined)

Craig Lincoln

Reserves Coach's award

Jason Bowen

Club Awards

Life membership

Alan Vitiritti

President's trophy

Noel Taplin

Clubperson of the year

Dawn Bellinger

Players Raffle - October 2004

Diamond ring donated by Anthony's Jewellers

Gail Dick

South Melbourne Heritage jumper signed by Ron Barassi

Melbourne FC jumper signed by the entire playing list

Liam Mulcahy

$200 travel voucher from Flight Centre, Richmond

Rick Gordon

Colts Runners Up - August 2004  

Our Heathmont-Warrandyte combine fought galantly but could not knock off Whitehorse on Grand Final day. Although the Warriors played the better footy early and were leading at half-time Whitehorse turned it on in the second half kicking nine goals to nil. Everyone involved should be very proud of a fantastic season.

Whitehorse - 9.12.66
Warrandyte-Heathmont - 2.4.16

Girls Charity Match - July 2004

On July 17th a Warrandyte girls team took on the Eastern Gully Lions in a night game to raise money for the North Warrandyte CFA. A big crowd braved the freezy conditions to see a good display of skills, entertainment and nude runs. Eastern Gully who play in the Victorian Womens Football League were to strong on the night and won by two goals. [insert cliche] But the real winners on the night were the North Warrandyte Fire Brigade who were given a cheque for more than $1600.00. Thanks to everyone who donated hard earned and to all involved, especially Amy and Jimmy.