I've been watchin footy for far too long (according to my wife ). The last few years I have seen quite a lot of the Bendigo Pioneers. Unfortunately, it has been a VERY lean time for the Pioneers - a couple of wins each season and a handful of draftable youngsters.
Why?
When Carlton were strong, the Bendigo zone produced an impressive array of players each year. Many of the kids came from Bendigo itself. Names like Southby, Dean, Ashman and Williams are just the tip of the iceberg.
Look now and the talent just isn't there. The better players from the Pioneers are often from nearer Mildura or Echuca. Other than the Selwoods (who played cricket in Castlemaine, but went to school in Bendigo) and Dustin Martin (Castlemaine), I can't think of anyone who actually lived in Bendigo who REALLY made an impression.
This is at a time when Bendigo itself has increased in size to the point where it has overtaken Ballarat in terms of population (now over 100,000 people).
So where are all the footballers?
Lots of excuses have been tried: the logistics of the Pioneers zone are probably the hardest of all of the country zones, and fit as the most realistic excuse. However, that would suggest that fewer Mildura boys or the like be present. Nor has that stopped North Ballarat or Murray from being powerful: their logistics are almost as bad.
I'm wondering what you guys may think. I don't kow what the answer is, but I worry about footy in the NW when so few talented kids seem to be available.
Why?
When Carlton were strong, the Bendigo zone produced an impressive array of players each year. Many of the kids came from Bendigo itself. Names like Southby, Dean, Ashman and Williams are just the tip of the iceberg.
Look now and the talent just isn't there. The better players from the Pioneers are often from nearer Mildura or Echuca. Other than the Selwoods (who played cricket in Castlemaine, but went to school in Bendigo) and Dustin Martin (Castlemaine), I can't think of anyone who actually lived in Bendigo who REALLY made an impression.
This is at a time when Bendigo itself has increased in size to the point where it has overtaken Ballarat in terms of population (now over 100,000 people).
So where are all the footballers?
Lots of excuses have been tried: the logistics of the Pioneers zone are probably the hardest of all of the country zones, and fit as the most realistic excuse. However, that would suggest that fewer Mildura boys or the like be present. Nor has that stopped North Ballarat or Murray from being powerful: their logistics are almost as bad.
I'm wondering what you guys may think. I don't kow what the answer is, but I worry about footy in the NW when so few talented kids seem to be available.