Football West News

This weekend marks the inaugural DT38 Foundation Awareness Round and the start of a host of fundraising initiatives in memory of WA footballer Dylan Tombides.

The Awareness Round will signal the start of a nine-week competition encouraging clubs to promote awareness of testicular cancer with the most successful fundraiser to receive the DT38 Foundation Awareness Award.

Perth SC and Stirling Lions, who Tombides played for as a junior, will be a feature with the two sides exchanging commemorative pennants before Sunday’s match at Dorrien Gardens.

Perth coach Ramon Falzon, who took over from Melbourne Victory-bound Gareth Naven in Round 11, will look to extend his side’s six-game unbeaten run.

“Stirling are very strong, they are the team that have scored the most and on the other hand we are the team who have conceded the least, so it’s going to be an interesting battle,” he said.

“Since I’ve taken over we’ve had two wins and a draw and definitely from my side I couldn’t be any happier and even the players, the players at the moment are quite happy.”

However, Falzon admitted Stirling’s 3-0 drubbing of league-leaders Bayswater City will fire up the fourth-placed side.

“Last week’s win against Bayswater definitely pumps up Stirling,” he said. “This is their opportunity to try and get closer to Bayswater.

“From our side we’re going to do our best to make sure our positive run of results continues and I’m sure they will try do the same.”

Stirling Lions’ midfielder David Micevski has scored 11 goals and is hot on the trail of the NPLWA’s leading goal scorer and Perth SC striker Gustavo Catarcione, who has scored 12.

“Gustavo is in excellent form this year,” Falzon said.

“Last year unfortunately he had a serious injury, so it’s good to see him recovered and being up there with the top goal scorers again.”

The DT38 Awareness Award will run to September 1 with the winner to be revealed at the WA Football Awards at Crown Perth on October 15.

Funds raised from the campaign will go back into the WA football community through education programs linked to the national school curriculum.

Each club will receive ‘Didge,’ the charity’s first program, which assists in teaching coaches, players and families about the importance of early detection, the need for resilience and general health and wellbeing.