- Banned
- #5,351
BFL snubbed with only two players in state side
21/07/2008 11:31:00 PM
THE BALLARAT Football League has been snubbed by VCFL selectors, with just two BFL players called up for the Australian Country Football Championships to be played in Shepparton from Thursday.
Redan prime mover Jarrod Edwards and Sunbury big man Tim Little have been named in the 24-player squad to represent Victoria in division one against teams from Western Australia, South Australia, the ACT and New South
Wales.
The pair were selected after being among the RegionalOne BFL's best at the VCFL country championships in Shepparton nearly two months ago.
BFL chief executive Rod Ward was pleased Edwards and Little had made the squad but said there were a number of other BFL players who should also have been considered.
"Tim Little is clearly regarded as number one ruckman in country football.
"He was in the team last time when he was playing for Tatura in the Goulburn Valley Football League and he has been just as good since joining the BFL," Ward said.
"And Edwards very much deserved to be in to make up for the disappointment of missing last time, when he missed because of a hamstring injury.
"We're disappointed for a few guys who would have deserved to be in the team and would have given good account of themselves.
"Players like Shane Hutchinson, Brad Miller and Nathan Blomeley should have walked into that side.
"There is a surprising amount of focus on Ovens & Murray and Goulburn Valley players because, I think, of the reputation of those leagues in the past. I think the selectors do concentrate on the north eastern leagues, perhaps
at our expense."
Seven players from the Ovens & Murray league, and four from the Goulburn Valley league, have been named in the squad.
The Ballarat region will also be represented in Division Two, with two Lexton Plains and one Central Highlands players selected for the VCFL District team.
Tom Blackford (Rokewood/Corindhap) and Steve Ross (Natte-Bealiba) will represent the LPFL, while Dunnstown's Rhys Cahir has had the call up from the CHFL, to take on Queensland and an Aboriginal All Stars team.
"We're thrilled from a Lexton Plains point of view to have two players running around in that competition," Ward said. The Australian Country Football Championships conclude with finals on Sunday.
Looks like we now have the 2 premier players in the comp. Debate over. Thanks VCFL. As stated before only the premier players get selected.