What's happening in the Bendigo Football League

[Picklesmeoldmate]

I think the BFL should just take a stand and say "right, these two finals are being designated as night finals, this is what's going to happen.'' i think the night finals would help to attract a bigger crowd as well because it obviously wouldn't be clashing with a final in one of the district leagues. And more crowds means more money, which ultimately means a better dividend at the end of the year for the clubs. I also think the joint ticketing system has some merit that is certainly worth exploring.

 

[spoke4923]

Night finals a step closer
Luke West
Friday, 2 December 2005

HISTORY looks set to made in the All Seasons Bendigo Football League next year with the introduction of night finals for the first time.
As revealed in The Advertiser in October, the BFL's qualifying final on September 2 and the second semi-final on September 9 look set to be played under lights at the Queen Elizabeth Oval next season.

The two finals have been earmarked as night matches in the BFL's official 2006 fixture, and no concerns have been raised by clubs about the proposal.

"The night finals are only proposed at this stage, but will be confirmed after further discussions with the clubs at one of our first meetings next year," BFL general manager Tony Pierce said yesterday.

"I'd like to see it happen, but we need to give consideration to the teams participating."

The BFL fixture was officially unveiled this week, but some changes may still be made, most notably surrounding the finals.

At this stage, the preliminary final has been booked for Sunday, September 17, to avoid any clash of finals with district leagues.

The grand final has been set aside for Saturday, September, 23, which, if the draw remains as is, would give the winner of the preliminary final just six days to prepare for the biggest game of the season.

However, those dates have not been set in stone, with the possibility of the preliminary final being played on the Saturday and the grand final being moved back to the Sunday for the first time since 2001 still a chance.

Again, those decisions will be made at a meeting involving clubs next year.

The QEO lights will be used in three of the first five rounds of the 2006 season - South Bendigo versus North Ballarat Juniors (round one), Sandhurst versus South Bendigo (round four) and Sandhurst versus Kangaroo Flat (round five).

The game against South Bendigo in round one will be North Ballarat Juniors' first in their new league.

The Juniors have signed a 10-year agreement with the BFL after they were unsuccessful earlier this year in gaining entry into the Ballarat Football League.

The admittance of the Juniors into the BFL means there will be no bye for the first time since the 2000 season and all teams will play 18, rather than 16 home and away games.

Sunday football will be a regular feature early in the season, with Sunday matches fixtured in each of the first three rounds.

The league will hold a general bye on the weekend of May 27-28 for its Pool C country championships campaign at Barooga, and round 12 will be a split round played over July 15 and 22.

Before the season gets under way with the Good Friday clash between Eaglehawk and Kangaroo Flat at Canterbury Park on April 14, the BFL will run a lightning premiership at the QEO on April 1.

The BFL will invite two teams from outside leagues to take the number of competing clubs to 12 and allow for four pools of three teams.

Meanwhile, there have been some preliminary discussions surrounding the possibility of a joint grand final ticketing system involving the BFL and district leagues in the region being introduced next year.

While the idea has only just been floated, it would allow a football-netball fan to pre-purchase a ticket that would gain them entry into the BFL grand final, as well as the grand final in district leagues.[/quote]

Sounds like you've got a supporter in this West bloke old mate. I've seen some of the stuff he writes, sounds like he know's what's going on. Unlike the rest of those addy journo's who seem to spend their weekends playing the PS2. Anyone know if there's any substance to the mass exodus rumour circulating Kyneton? Apparently the town has realised Massina is just a moron who spends a club's money, buying a goood year or two without developing any good, young talent.

 

[Grimmett]

Another Luke West article from the Bendigo Advertiser:



Link scrapped - Bendigo Bombers, BFL dump alignment agreement
Luke West
Saturday, 3 December 2005

NO longer will Bendigo Bank Bombers' players be required to align themselves with All Seasons Bendigo Football League clubs.
The Bombers and BFL have agreed to lapse a heads of agreement that was signed off on in September, last year, in anticipation of the Bombers' new VFL reserves team coming to fruition.

The heads of agreement to span the life of the Bombers' reserves was unanimously endorsed by the BFL board in September, last year, but 14 months on, no longer exists.

Among the key criteria of the heads of agreement were:

* players who are contracted to the Bombers will be allocated an aligned BFL club if they have no existing alignment in place.

* any new Bomber player who lives outside the immediate geographic radius of Bendigo will be given 12 months to remain at their present family or postal address and not align with a BFL club, but after 12 months, be required to align themselves with a BFL club.

But the playing field has changed and there is now no official relationship between the Bombers and BFL as far as the transfer of players go.

What this decision means is, for example, new recruit Patty Rattray will be eligible to go back and play with his home club Seymour in the Goulburn Valley Football League if he doesn't get a game for the Bendigo Bombers' seniors or seconds.

Under the old agreement, Rattray would have been required to play for a BFL club when not selected with the Bombers.

"What we found was the agreement was having an effect on the wider football community," BFL general manager Tony Pierce said.

"There was confusion about this alignment and registrations under VCFL guidelines."

An example of the confusion surrounding the agreement was evident this year when Golden Square was stripped of its points and fined $500 after beating Eaglehawk in the reserves in round nine.

It was found Golden Square had ineligibly played Bomber Kiel Robertson against the Hawks, after he was still registered to his former club Kerang.

"This will eliminate some confusion previously created and makes us fall in line with the rest of the way VCFL and VFL transfers operate," Pierce said.

"But the BFL will continue to work with the Bombers and Bendigo Pioneers for the growth and betterment of football in the Bendigo region."

Bombers' general manager Matthew Allan said the decision to lapse the agreement was a non-issue.

"We've agreed to lapse it for the betterment of both parties; it really is a non-issue," Allan said.

"We're just trying to do the best we can for footy in the region and we think we're going down the right path."

 

[wheelbarrow]

Brown Coaching Flat - surprising, but obvious committee changes breathed new enthusiasm.

Mate did Brown Coach them last yr. ?

Is Mark Dickens from Seymour involved in any capacity at the Flat in 06. ?

Is the same bloke president next yr. Brooks. ??

 

[Picklesmeoldmate]

Brown did coach the Roos last year. Came with big wraps on him after president Scott Jackman declared him to be the best big man in the competition pre-season. He won their B and F. He stepped down from the coaching role after the season saying he didn't enjoy it. However, he has changed his mind and is doing it again. I think that Dickins is pretty keen to get involved in the footy scene over here somewhere. Paul Brooks is a new president who has taken over from scott jackman, who has stood down after three years.

 

[Grimmett]

Mate did Brown Coach them last yr. ?

Is Mark Dickens from Seymour involved in any capacity at the Flat in 06. ?

Is the same bloke president next yr. Brooks. ??

Brown, yes.
Dickens, dunno.
Brooks, yes.

 

[spoke4923]

Kyneton in huge financial difficulties, planning urgent talks between board and league. Some of the bigger names might be jumping ship, talk about not being able to pay players.

 

[wheelbarrow]

Brown did coach the Roos last year. Came with big wraps on him after president Scott Jackman declared him to be the best big man in the competition pre-season. He won their B and F. He stepped down from the coaching role after the season saying he didn't enjoy it. However, he has changed his mind and is doing it again. I think that Dickins is pretty keen to get involved in the footy scene over here somewhere. Paul Brooks is a new president who has taken over from scott jackman, who has stood down after three years.

Mark Salakowski from Avenel is playing there next year.. Ex GV rep.

 

[HJ32]

Sala is just about finished and will struggle in the bfl

 

[Grandale]

Mark Salakowski from Avenel is playing there next year.. Ex GV rep.

...who will also be about 36yo next footy season.

 

[HJ32]

not sure on the age, but IMO he's passed major league status.

 

[spoke4923]

Kyneton in huge financial difficulties, planning urgent talks between board and league. Some of the bigger names might be jumping ship, talk about not being able to pay players.

More on the above...
Matt Waters: Leading goal kicker for club in 04 (second in league when the team was a rabble) is going bush.
O'Connor, Ciunik, Walker: All 21 or under, a couple of handy footballers going.
Eve: Captain and full forward. Maybe going bush with assistant coaching position.
Brett Cook: Ex AFL ruckman (Lions, Saints) hasn't committed to Kyneton for '06.
Darren Chambers: As above, assistant coaching position in bush has been mentioned.
Troy Williams: Possibly going to Gippsland.
Can anyone deny/confirm any of these or others?

 

[Doona2]

not sure on the age, but IMO he's passed major league status.

Here here HJ32 - hasn't exactly set the world on fire at Avenel since heading there 4-5 years ago. Was an absolute gun in his day, but like us all age does catch up eventually.

 

[wheelbarrow]

...who will also be about 36yo next footy season.

How old is Amad. ????

 

[Grandale]

How old is Amad. ????

Ever heard of the saying exception to the rule, Wheels?
Sure, Joey's rising 38 and can still cut it at major league level but that doesn't mean everyone that old can.
Sala was an absolute jet in his heyday - in my opinion he was at his best when playing full-forward for the Lions in the mid-90s - but probably would have struggled to get a game in the Lions' team this year.
No doubt he'll have no trouble getting a game for KF if that's where he does decide to line up but don't go expecting him to reproduce the feats he was capable of 10 years ago.

 

[HJ32]

Ever heard of the saying exception to the rule, Wheels?
Sure, Joey's rising 38 and can still cut it at major league level but that doesn't mean everyone that old can.
Sala was an absolute jet in his heyday - in my opinion he was at his best when playing full-forward for the Lions in the mid-90s - but probably would have struggled to get a game in the Lions' team this year.
No doubt he'll have no trouble getting a game for KF if that's where he does decide to line up but don't go expecting him to reproduce the feats he was capable of 10 years ago.

very correct grandale

 

[Picklesmeoldmate]

Kyneton in huge financial difficulties, planning urgent talks between board and league. Some of the bigger names might be jumping ship, talk about not being able to pay players.

That's pretty big news there on Kyneton there. has it come from a good source close to the club.

 

[HJ32]

I think Matty Waters is being sounded out by Heathcote and possibly mounts and maybe even Colbo where he used to play.

can anyone tell me if he's recovered from his bout of OP?

 

[MAXIMUM_POWER]

... in my opinion he was at his best when playing full-forward for the Lions in the mid-90s ...

In my opinion he was at his best while sculpting his size XXL biceps and pectoral muscles in the gym during many a pre-season.

His biceps have still been known to scare little children

 

[caveman]

In my opinion he was at his best while sculpting his size XXL biceps and pectoral muscles in the gym during many a pre-season.

His biceps have still been known to scare little children

I dont know this guy but I hope Kangaroo Flat get him even if he is a bit old because the Flat need some senior players to help with the younger ones coming through. How many games do people think the Flat will win next year? Will there be big improvement or will they really struggle again?

 

[HJ32]

I dont know this guy but I hope Kangaroo Flat get him even if he is a bit old because the Flat need some senior players to help with the younger ones coming through. How many games do people think the Flat will win next year? Will there be big improvement or will they really struggle again?

what about Ronnie Wicks, Chris Harrington and Noel Shelton???

are they not the wise heads required at the club?

 

[Picklesmeoldmate]

I think you will find that noel shelton has retired. kangaroo flat do need to get as many experienced players as possible because they have a lot of good kids there. they also need key position players. it seems most of the talk in this forum surrounds the roos

 

[caveman]

what about Ronnie Wicks, Chris Harrington and Noel Shelton???

are they not the wise heads required at the club?

You are right they are wise heads but we need more. I went to a fair few Kangaroo Flat matches last season and they clearly needed more support for the youngsters. Last season was the first I have followed in the BFL so I dont know a great deal about the league. All I know is Ronnie Wicks wasnt on the field too much last season due to injury. I am happy with the youngsters coming through but if we are to gain some respect we need some more senior players!

 

[spoke4923]

I think Matty Waters is being sounded out by Heathcote and possibly mounts and maybe even Colbo where he used to play.

can anyone tell me if he's recovered from his bout of OP?

Apparently he's over it after his year off and ready to go. A bloke of his size and speed would be a handful in any local comp. Repeatedly beat the best full backs in the BFL two years ago when delivery was ordinary. Colbo maybe, Heathcote unlikely, woodend possibly.

 

[spoke4923]

That's pretty big news there on Kyneton there. has it come from a good source close to the club.

My source is usually pretty good. With certain people at the club, it hardly comes as a surprise. Remember too, old president and board gone (that originally intended a two year term minimum) so this is a new committee. Maybe they arrived and found the financial state not so healthy...