Modewarre captain Morgan Fenton and former Western Bulldog Roarke Smith finally got the chance to play together in the Warriors’ opening win of the season, but it’s likely to be the last time, for this year at least.
Smith, who played 47 games in nine injury-interrupted years with the Bulldogs, had Modewarre as his interchange club during a stint with VFL team Port Melbourne last year.
The 28-year-old’s no longer with the Borough, instead joining Balranald for the 2025 season.
However, with the Central Murray club having the bye, Smith took the chance to pull on the maroon and blue in Saturday’s 43-point victory over Queenscliff.
“We met probably 15 years ago now,” Fenton told K rock Football’s Beyond the Boundary podcast.
“We grew up family friends – we met at Marengo, down (at) Apollo Bay, and, yeah, we’ve just been good mates ever since.
“We’ve wanted to play footy together, but he’s obviously been AFL-listed for nine years.
“So it was good to finally get the chance to play alongside him in a win on the weekend.”
Modewarre coach Mark Hovey says Smith was a welcome addition alongside experienced duo Tom Hornsey and Ryan Williams for the previously winless Warriors.
He had 28 disposals and six clearances as well as laying 12 tackles.
“I think he really enjoyed it,” Hovey said. “That was the main thing for me.
“There was no real pressure from us to go out there and tear the game apart.
“I just wanted him to go out there and enjoy it.
“And as a club, we enjoyed having him as well because he’s at some functions and he’s around the club a bit.
“He’s a real good fella.”
The Warriors next face second-placed Newcomb at Grinter Reserve.
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