Bendigo FL discussion 2025

[Austin McCrabbe]

Most talented kids should get their opportunity around the region to show what they’ve got no matter where they are from at some point and it’s then in them to make it count when it matters.

The difference between local Bendigo player and remote area kids is this: if the remote area lad doesn’t play well in practice matches or train particularly well or gets injured then he’s got an up hill battle to find his way into the squad or even back in at a later date

Local Bendigo has a lot more opportunity and exposure, that’s where the advantage is. If there are two kids of similar ability well it’s obvious over many years that kids with strong local connections and powerful advocates at local level working on their behalf will be favoured over the relative unknown from out of town.

The difference in what a player is at 16.5 years of age to what they are 18 years of age can be gigantic. That’s where the local players under the nose of the program can be tracked and followed easier.

This has been the case forever and day and it’s obvious to state. Bendigo’s program is so far behind others it’s not even funny when it comes to player development and honestly they do have a genuine excuse the geographic challenge is a real thing and not having the aid of private school programs like metro and Geelong and even Ballarat do is also a huge consideration.

Gippsland have won numerous flags with a wider Territory to cover. The pios is too clicky and too Bendigo centric, that's why they've never won a flag

 

[Austin McCrabbe]

I wouldn't think the coach would be writing up the contracts and doing the accounts. I think you will find its more back of house operators.

It had to do with him starting as non playing, where none of he's salary goes into the cap to playing half way through the year and I assume it's a quarter outside the cap only. You better not get itchy feet around the you yangs come round 6 ringo

 

[localfootyguru]

Here we go again. Do you want them to pick token players from Maryborough, Gunbower or Ouyen as a gesture of kindness?

You always get defensive Arnold Horshack anytime Sandhurst FNC is mentioned. I am just stating the obvious and the selection of so many players from one club just demonstrates the flaws with the Pioneers and their Bendigo centric approach.

They have never done anything to improve/ benefit football outside Bendigo and rarely are seen looking/ supporting promising young players that may be playing for clubs not based in Bendigo.

The system is broken and those involved with the club whilst best intentioned are well out of their depth and on the 'gravy train', just happy to receive their annual tracksuit top, clipboard (now laptop) and be one of those who I would best describe as a 'hanger oner'.

 

[localfootyguru]

Have heard similar. Guru would probably have heard some murmurings if true.

There has been some talk around disenchantment with the Giants merger by some previously involved with Maryborough Rovers. I think the appointment of the coach and how things ended in 2024 upset some and as a result a number of key people involved in the merge have walked away.

As for a merge with the old Rovers club, that wouldn't be the case as the Rovers name is now part of the Giants entity. What would occur is if our club comes out of recess and decides to try and enter the MCDFNL, they would be part of the Maryborough FNC entity that has entered the league.

Nothing on the radar at this stage as after a challenging 2024 we are focused on our juniors and will soon look at options for our future. There is a long way to go and a lot of work ahead if we can get the club going again. I can state it is unlikely we will return to the Bendigo FNL at this stage although it is still part of our considerations.

 

[NeonLeon81]

Gippsland have won numerous flags with a wider Territory to cover. The pios is too clicky and too Bendigo centric, that's why they've never won a flag

You’ll notice I didn’t mention Gippy and Murray for a reason mate, because they have similar geographical issues but have also shown that with the right people at the helm that these issues can be overcome.

Peter Francis would be one of the most respected football people in Australia. What has bendigo had? Byrne and Sharp.

 

[ROOTA#6]

I wouldn't think the coach would be writing up the contracts and doing the accounts. I think you will find its more back of house operators.

Given the coach is involved in recruiting surely they’d have to have an awareness of the player payments?

 

[Earthmover]

Given the coach is involved in recruiting surely they’d have to have an awareness of the player payments?

Be shocked if a coach was not involved and keeping track of player contracts.

 

[ROOTA#6]

Be shocked if a coach was not involved and keeping track of player contracts.

I know I’d want be well aware of it

 

[Arnold Horshack]

You always get defensive Arnold Horshack anytime Sandhurst FNC is mentioned. I am just stating the obvious and the selection of so many players from one club just demonstrates the flaws with the Pioneers and their Bendigo centric approach.

They have never done anything to improve/ benefit football outside Bendigo and rarely are seen looking/ supporting promising young players that may be playing for clubs not based in Bendigo.

The system is broken and those involved with the club whilst best intentioned are well out of their depth and on the 'gravy train', just happy to receive their annual tracksuit top, clipboard (now laptop) and be one of those who I would best describe as a 'hanger oner'.

Generally, that's true but in this case I'm passionate only about picking the right players. Why is a lot from one club a flaw?If there is 25 Golden Square players and 1 from Sandhurst so be it. It should never be equal, just try and pick the best 40 from the pool. You have no idea who is talented or not, you're just seeing a list and banging on about how it's too many from one club.

 

[NeonLeon81]

I wouldn't think the coach would be writing up the contracts and doing the accounts. I think you will find its more back of house operators.

Plausible deniability, head in the sand, just play dumb?

There is no way that a coach as experienced and competitive as him wouldn’t have a decent line of sight on what’s going out payments wise particularly when it’s his own mates and connections he’s bringing in and paying.

 

[Mad Jack]

Plausible deniability, head in the sand, just play dumb?

There is no way that a coach as experienced and competitive as him wouldn’t have a decent line of sight on what’s going out payments wise particularly when it’s his own mates and connections he’s bringing in and paying.

Correct - every coach in local footy would know exactly how much every player is on. Even Mick McGuane - despite his denials after the Keilor situation.

 

[localfootyguru]

Generally, that's true but in this case I'm passionate only about picking the right players. Why is a lot from one club a flaw?If there is 25 Golden Square players and 1 from Sandhurst so be it. It should never be equal, just try and pick the best 40 from the pool. You have no idea who is talented or not, you're just seeing a list and banging on about how it's too many from one club.

I never said it shouldn’t be the best players Arnold Horshack so please don’t quote me on that. My comment is about the Bendigo centric efforts of the pioneers and their lack of effort to look at really good players (of which there are many) that are not playing at Bendigo clubs.

It is very easy and convenient for those involved to just look at players from Sandhurst and other ‘local’ clubs and they have done this for years.

Also in regards to my knowledge of football, I have been very much around the traps and probably have a fair amount of more experience in the football environment than you may possess. I am very aware of those involved in the system which has been broken for years and does nothing to benefit community based clubs.

Thanks for the debate.

 

[Crazymaggy2020]

I never said it shouldn’t be the best players Arnold Horshack so please don’t quote me on that. My comment is about the Bendigo centric efforts of the pioneers and their lack of effort to look at really good players (of which there are many) that are not playing at Bendigo clubs.

It is very easy and convenient for those involved to just look at players from Sandhurst and other ‘local’ clubs and they have done this for years.

Also in regards to my knowledge of football, I have been very much around the traps and probably have a fair amount of more experience in the football environment than you may possess. I am very aware of those involved in the system which has been broken for years and does nothing to benefit community based clubs.

Thanks for the debate.

Let’s remember according to the pioneers dusty was no good and wouldn’t make it. Not sure that would have been their thoughts if he came through the dragons pathway


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[just kicking around]

Let’s remember according to the pioneers dusty was no good and wouldn’t make it. Not sure that would have been their thoughts if he came through the dragons pathway


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Dustin would not have lasted long in a structured environment as a junior, so still would have fell through the gaps.
Non academic and independent was he's way then, just wanted to play.
Worked out better for him the path he took.

 

[howmuch]

I never said it shouldn’t be the best players Arnold Horshack so please don’t quote me on that. My comment is about the Bendigo centric efforts of the pioneers and their lack of effort to look at really good players (of which there are many) that are not playing at Bendigo clubs.

It is very easy and convenient for those involved to just look at players from Sandhurst and other ‘local’ clubs and they have done this for years.

Also in regards to my knowledge of football, I have been very much around the traps and probably have a fair amount of more experience in the football environment than you may possess. I am very aware of those involved in the system which has been broken for years and does nothing to benefit community based clubs.

Thanks for the debate.

Pioneers are irrelevant within football circles now days. You have kids refusing invitations to try out and having been involved with junior football recently in Bendigo the list is very poor for 2025 except for the overage players.

Only need to look at interleague results!

 

[ROOTA#6]

Pioneers are irrelevant within football circles now days. You have kids refusing invitations to try out and having been involved with junior football recently in Bendigo the list is very poor for 2025 except for the overage players.

Only need to look at interleague results!

Not sure they are irrelevant as it still is one of the only ways kids in the area can get drafted but it’s far from a perfect program.

 

[Hawking Hawkeye]

Pioneers area is too large, just have a Bendigo area plus maybe areas south and west, then from Rochester, Kyabram, Echuca, Moama, Deni, Swan Hill, Mildura way have another team.

 

[Arnold Horshack]

I never said it shouldn’t be the best players Arnold Horshack so please don’t quote me on that. My comment is about the Bendigo centric efforts of the pioneers and their lack of effort to look at really good players (of which there are many) that are not playing at Bendigo clubs.

It is very easy and convenient for those involved to just look at players from Sandhurst and other ‘local’ clubs and they have done this for years.

Also in regards to my knowledge of football, I have been very much around the traps and probably have a fair amount of more experience in the football environment than you may possess. I am very aware of those involved in the system which has been broken for years and does nothing to benefit community based clubs.

Thanks for the debate.

Twist it however you like. You said large numbers from one club highlights a flaw. If the best are picked, then individual club numbers are irrelevant was my only point. If 150 players are invited to try out and go through the same process do you think they pick the best squad or deliberately exclude non Bendigo kids? The constant whining does my head in. Well done on your experience in football.

 

[Arnold Horshack]

Let’s remember according to the pioneers dusty was no good and wouldn’t make it. Not sure that would have been their thoughts if he came through the dragons pathway


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He was runner up in the best and fairest.

 

[Crazymaggy2020]

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He was runner up in the best and fairest.

Fact in his top age year that he had to plead for midfield time - it’s common knowledge that early on he was on the outer due to not being in the clique


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[Jack Kelly]

Where would you put them Doona? HDFL, RDFL or KDFL?

 

[Jack Kelly]

RDFL.Plenty of people and past players around this area,with knowledge of prospective players.Should never have left back in 83,as i stated at the time.

 

[Vlodrive]

RDFL.Plenty of people and past players around this area,with knowledge of prospective players.Should never have left back in 83,as i stated at the time.

They keep burning bridges everywhere they go. The RDFL would take Rupertswood before they took Broadford.


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[saintron]

Does anybody know what day the Bendigo Advertiser will be publishing the magazine with all of the teams from around the different leagues regarding recruits etc

 

[Wooden Robot]

Does anybody know what day the Bendigo Advertiser will be publishing the magazine with all of the teams from around the different leagues regarding recruits etc

They no longer do it, Ron, and haven't for a few years now.
They generally run one team a day in print for about four or so weeks.
League by league, but not alphabetically, so random when individual clubs might appear.