All Divisions General NFNL Discussion Thread

[NFNL Member]

Zero integrity? His articles seem normal
to me, what’s the issue?

i think youve missed the issue, maybe go back and have a read.

 

[Thunder1]

Ben Higgins aka Thunder1

0 integrity

silverback101 not sure how I have been attached to Ben Higgins who I had no idea who he was until reading the article

Not sure why my integrity is being questioned either, it’s your 2nd post, maybe you need to do a bit more investigation as it looks like your integrity has been called out

I can categorically state that I am not Ben Higgins

 

[NFNL Member]

NFNL Member I wonder if the intrepid NFNL Journalist (@benhiggins....aka on here as ????????) would be able to actually be a journalist other than his recent 'article' (aka fluff piece to get his face in print)

@benhiggins, we know you are on here, maybe do some 'investigation' and 'journalism' (other than diary writing) and look into allegations made.....unless you are on the alleged books as well.....

Local footy journo Ben Higgins charts his fitness journey to a local footy return at 39​

Incredibly unfit and almost 40, out-of-shape local footy journo Ben Higgins charts his journey from pre-season pain to earning a local footy debut at Watsonia.

The mind was willing but the body was flabby.

When I rolled into Watsonia’s first pre-season training session in November, I had no intention of pulling on the jumper and boots.

I was 110kg, 39 and had last played a competitive game 14 years ago.

And as it turned, I couldn’t run a lap.

That first session – my first since 2012 – did not go well but I didn’t throw up, so that was a win.

In hindsight, some preparation would have been a good idea. I was knackered before the end of the warm-up.

Asked to run five laps, I got through one before I slowed to a walk.

The second training I managed two-and-a-half laps.

Watsonia coaches George Lattouf and Gary Cutler must have been wondering what the hell I was doing there.

However, I could never motivate myself to run long distances or do repeat sprints, and footy training is an amazing way to get fit.

Seven months later, on Saturday, I played my first official game since 2010.

There are some rather unflattering videos and pictures of those early sessions – plodding along, sweat soaked and in pain.

Just before Christmas I ran five laps consecutively for the first time.

After a couple of pre-pre-season sessions at Bundoora I came back in the new year confident – over-confident.

Quickly I got put back in my box with a near 11-minute 2km time trial.

As training ramped up in the new year, so did my trips to the physio – highly recommend Jacqui at Watsonia Physiotherapy.

The knees were stuffed from the start. The calves were the next to go.

I discovered how good rollers were for knackered muscles and joints.

It’s frustrating knowing what you used to be capable of and coming to the realisation you’re not 25 any more – not 35 any more either.

Attempting to keep up with a bunch of 20-year-olds gets you there a lot quicker.

So as January turned into February and practice matches approached I thought ‘why not’.

I’d encourage anyone to get down to your local footy club and join in.

Even if you’re not as fit as you once were but still keen for a kick, a great many clubs are looking for players and, if you don’t play, perhaps you find a new community and become a volunteer, which are even more valuable these days.

Practice match No.1 and while most may not agree I’m pretty sure I inspired the reserve grade win over Eastern club Heathmont.

Showed the boys how to kick straight with the first goal and could have had a couple more if the bounce of the ball had been kinder.

I backed up against Essendon District club Oak Park and played almost an entire game due to a lack of numbers.

Running down one young fella from behind was awesome before a rush of blood gave away the free kick. I still contend he bounced the ball as I tackled him, which should have given me the free.

That resulted in an infected blister and me unable to walk properly for three days – so yeah, fun.

I got the 2km time down to 10 minutes and had shed five kilos and several centimetres off the waist by this point.

It probably could have been more if I’d dieted properly but unfortunately I found the best ice cream in Melbourne at Dairy Bell off Grimshaw Street in Bundoora.

Diamond Creek coach Andrew Tranquilli gave me a good reminder of where I was when I asked him where my time trial would put me at his club.

“We could probably find a spot for you behind the bar,” he quipped.

Unsurprisingly, I missed out on Round 1 selection – reserves obviously – but I kept training. I felt a part of the club now.

Not going to lie, I was flat missing out on the Round 5 match against Panton Hill – flatter still when the Redbacks kicked six goals in the last quarter to pinch the win.

That brings us to Saturday against Northcote Park.

Being late wasn’t a great start.

Things have changed since I last ran out for Wagga Tigers in Round 1, 2010.

The music is blaring – I was asked to provide the tunes – and away white shorts, which I didn’t have, were required.

I’d never had to pay for shorts and certainly not the guernsey before. Is that a metro thing?

First opportunity came and slipped straight through the fingers, quite literally, ruining a potential shot on goal.

I was blowing after five minutes.

Two handballs, one clanger, one free against and a tackle was all I had to show for the first half.

Maybe a move to the backline would be better?

Five intercept marks, six disposals (at 100 per cent efficiency I might add) and a couple more tackles and I finished pretty content with the performance.

The Cougars are struggling for numbers at the minute so credit to the boys for rocking up and giving us a game.

Maybe I can hold my place?

If not, Watsonia plays Diamond Creek on Saturday and I can do some bar work.

Neither him or NFNL Chiefs are remotely concerned about a current Rep coach showing 13/14 year olds inappropriate pornographic cartoons it seems.

 

[Coach_Beard]

all this reference to the nfnl it's rep people the media and a club now named as kilmore must be one way or the other explored into or shut down completely. either way there are labels on people clubs and a league as a brand that need denying clariyfing or acted surely? even from a parents angle if this breaches any child safety rules that unless this comp is idfferent all adults where my kids once played must sign off to. if it is as serious as ive read this week why hasnt other parents or other folk contacted the nfl or even afl house?

 

[NFNL Member]

all this reference to the nfnl it's rep people the media and a club now named as kilmore must be one way or the other explored into or shut down completely. either way there are labels on people clubs and a league as a brand that need denying clariyfing or acted surely? even from a parents angle if this breaches any child safety rules that unless this comp is idfferent all adults where my kids once played must sign off to. if it is as serious as ive read this week why hasnt other parents or other folk contacted the nfl or even afl house?

I never named Kilmore but now you have, I know for a fact the Kilmore incident happened and the said coach apologised for it.
Obviously it was swept under the rug.
I’ve raised it with NFNL but had no response.
As well as the corruption in the Rep program with the head person using and paying his private business with NFNL money.
People have ignored it for years.
How? Ignorance?
But why?
It’s not only a disgraceful abuse of power and authority but has made the entire Rep program an absolute laughingstock amongst other leagues.

 

[Coach_Beard]

i was only referring to kilmore from the list posted assuming it was suggested the club was involved in all the questionabel issues you have mentioned. good luck with you pursuit of jsutice in what reads rather non just on so many fronts. i know over the edfl way there are often issues but nothing like whats being siuggested here so why dont parents go to the afl direct if its common knowledge as you say what is everyone scared of. the truth always comes out

 

[hfchfc]

I never named Kilmore but now you have, I know for a fact the Kilmore incident happened and the said coach apologised for it.
Obviously it was swept under the rug.
I’ve raised it with NFNL but had no response.
As well as the corruption in the Rep program with the head person using and paying his private business with NFNL money.
People have ignored it for years.
How? Ignorance?
But why?
It’s not only a disgraceful abuse of power and authority but has made the entire Rep program an absolute laughingstock amongst other leagues.

Post #999 you mention Kilmore