Bendigo FL discussion 2025

[Arnold Horshack]

Only 10 from Sandhurst... disappointing

Do you want it to be an even spread?

 

[jayco13]

Do you want it to be an even spread?

It's sarcasm mate.... lighten up

 

[churner]

Yep I remember watching North at Tat... v Geelong maybe?

They had a few. Collingwood v Hawthorn was the one I saw.

 

[JP Ollards]

Colac had geelong v essendon not long ago either, so the notion that country clubs can't hold a game is crap

 

[Forest St End]

Colac had geelong v essendon not long ago either, so the notion that country clubs can't hold a game is crap

Exactly, agronomy has improved so much most country ovals are in amazing condition now, reseed with summer and winter grasses each year. Even in a wet winter like last year you don’t see all that many slip heaps anymore.

The challenge is more around amenities for a big crowd but there’s plenty of modern solutions, truck toilet blocks etc

If they can turn a paddock at hanging rock into a concert venue for 20 thousand people there’s no reason they can’t do the same at a footy ground.

 

[harsh. but fair]

Exactly, agronomy has improved so much most country ovals are in amazing condition now, reseed with summer and winter grasses each year. Even in a wet winter like last year you don’t see all that many slip heaps anymore.

The challenge is more around amenities for a big crowd but there’s plenty of modern solutions, truck toilet blocks etc

If they can turn a paddock at hanging rock into a concert venue for 20 thousand people there’s no reason they can’t do the same at a footy ground.

Sadly the horse has bolted on country practice matches.
The decision by AFL to bring season forward to early March to try and claw some tv eyeballs back from rugby league early start was the knockout blow.
Lot of regional councils have invested big bucks upgrading grounds to get a look at a pre season game, but are now red faced with their dud decisions.
Add in the fact the state government was a big funding player in previous upgrades and the parlous state of the Vic economy things aren’t going to change.
AFL clubs aren’t leaving Melbourne any time soon.

 

[JP Ollards]

Sadly the horse has bolted on country practice matches.
The decision by AFL to bring season forward to early March to try and claw some tv eyeballs back from rugby league early start was the knockout blow.
Lot of regional councils have invested big bucks upgrading grounds to get a look at a pre season game, but are now red faced with their dud decisions.
Add in the fact the state government was a big funding player in previous upgrades and the parlous state of the Vic economy things aren’t going to change.
AFL clubs aren’t leaving Melbourne any time soon.

I'm not sure why they wouldn't want to grow the game. Interest levels are low, look at the clubs folding as proof

 

[JP Ollards]

I find it farcical that the afl promote a number of political points in rounds, virtual signalling these points, yet when there are actual problems with the heartland of football, they pay lip service and don't promote their brand in struggling areas or even areas hit by natural events. I'd bet not one official or club would have visited newbridge after they lost their club rooms to flooding. We've got maryborough into recess, with a town of over 10k people with no footy club from under 18s up and not one afl official or club rocks up to try help

 

[Forest St End]

I find it farcical that the afl promote a number of political points in rounds, virtual signalling these points, yet when there are actual problems with the heartland of football, they pay lip service and don't promote their brand in struggling areas or even areas hit by natural events. I'd bet not one official or club would have visited newbridge after they lost their club rooms to flooding. We've got maryborough into recess, with a town of over 10k people with no footy club from under 18s up and not one afl official or club rocks up to try help

I think the cold reality is the AFL values junior footy and the under 18 and school talent pathways, but has little value in community footy, largely because there’s little money in it for them.