FINALS fever is in the air with five leagues already under way and another 17 starting their first round of finals today. Article first appeared: 25 August 2007 Herald Sun
Finals rematch: Hayden Bodycomb of Omeo-Benambra gets a handpass away despite the tackle of Swifts Creek's Robbie Sheean earlier this year.
The Bellarine and Warrnambool league moves into the semi-finals today while the Mornington Peninsula-Nepean, Geelong & District and South-West District leagues begin their first round of finals this weekend.
In central Victoria, the Loddon Valley and Central Highlands leagues join the Lexton Plains Football League which began last weekend.
Across to the west, Horsham & District and Mininera & District become the first district leagues to move into finals mode.
In the north, Upper Murray hosts its second semi-final. Golden Rivers, Ovens & King, Picola & District, Sunraysia and Tallangatta & District leagues see in their first week of finals.
The east of the state saw the first semi-final of the Omeo and District League last week. The region will get into full swing with Alberton, Ellinbank & District, Mid Gippsland, North Gippsland and Yarra Valley Mountain Division 2 leagues beginning their finals this weekend.
Ezard brings up 400
HEATHCOTE: Broadford stalwart Peter Ezard will run out for his 400th game when Broadford reserves host White Hills at home today.
In a career spanning more than 30 years, Ezard has played, captained and coached the Broadford seniors and reserves sides. A reserves' best-and-fairest in 1990 and a seniors' premiership in 1984 are among the highlights of his career.
But the greatest moment of Ezard's time at Broadford came this year when his 18-year-old son, Jackson, joined him in the reserves.
Ezard and son have helped steer Broadford to the top of the Heathcote reserves ladder.
Danger knows score
HUME: The work of a scoreboard operator is, at times, a thankless job. Just ask Roger "Danger" Smith, who has operated the scoreboard at Lockhart Football and Netball Club for 20 years.
As players rev up for next week's Hume Football League finals series, Smith is preparing to do his bit for the team, heading to the club's scoreboard at 9am today to dust off the numbers for the final round of the season.
Smith, who earned the moniker "Danger" for his erratic behaviour during his senior football career, will score eight games today.
A normal Saturday for Smith includes the under-14 competition at 9am followed by the under-17s, reserves and finally, the seniors.
As a player, Smith never etched his names into the Football Hall of Fame.
But as a scorer, he's a legend around the Lockhart clubrooms.
Lucknow marks flag
EAST GIPPSLAND: Lucknow will hold a premiership reunion today.
The Magpies will celebrate their 1997 premiership success over Lindenow at their home game against the Cats.
Former West Coast and Carlton footballer, Callum Chambers, was best on ground in that grand final before being drafted by the Eagles the following year.