localfootyguru
20 Jun 2006, 23:05
Interesting to read the following article about GFL and Bellarine players being allowed to be selected to participate as part of the VCFL squad that is to compete in the up coming national country championships.
Do others thing they should/ should not be allowed to participate considering Football Geelong pulled both competitions out of the country championships this season.
Geelong players eligible for carnival
VICTORIAN coach Leigh Colbert has been allowed to select Geelong league players who didn’t play in the Victorian Country Championships at Lavington this season for the upcoming national titles.
The Australian Country Championships, which Victoria has not won since the 2000 carnival at Wagga, will be held on the Gold Coast on July 28-30 and coincides with a bye in the Ovens and Murray league.
After hosting the Victorian Country Championships last year, Geelong withdrew from the carnival played at Lavington due to financial reasons.
But five players from the Geelong league were included in the initial 28-man Victorian training squad for the championships and soon after issued an explanation following queries about their eligibility.
Five players were also chosen from the championship’s winning league, O and M.
“The VCFL’s investment in Victoria being recognised as a leader of country football in Australia brings a clear commitment and obligation to select the best possible squad from major league footballers for the purpose of winning the ACFC division one title at each carnival," VCFL operations manager Brett Connell explained.
“A committed and high-profile coach in Leigh Colbert (and his selection panel) must be given the opportunity to select (in their opinion) the right balance of available players for this year’s carnival.
“The VCFL does not have a rule for the eligibility or non-eligibility of players for the major league state side, just as there are no existing rules for players to be selected in the district league state side that represents Victoria in a division of the ACFC carnival.
“There is obviously an argument to say that players that perform at an inter-league level have an edge over those that do not play inter-league for whatever reason.
“In the case of the Geelong players selected in the training squad they are proven representative players with several previously receiving All-Australian honours at the last ACFC carnival.
“Those players have been monitored and are all enjoying strong form in 2006.
“The players from Geelong had no say in their league withdrawing from the 2006 country championships and therefore cannot be individually held responsible for their league’s decision.
“Fielding a competitive and balanced VCFL state side should not be confused with any politics, retribution or penalties that some people may believe should be dealt out to Football Geelong.
“The players should not be penalised.”
Former Wangaratta Rovers coach John O’Donohue is a selector.
_WWW.BORDERMAIL.COM.AU
Do others thing they should/ should not be allowed to participate considering Football Geelong pulled both competitions out of the country championships this season.
Geelong players eligible for carnival
VICTORIAN coach Leigh Colbert has been allowed to select Geelong league players who didn’t play in the Victorian Country Championships at Lavington this season for the upcoming national titles.
The Australian Country Championships, which Victoria has not won since the 2000 carnival at Wagga, will be held on the Gold Coast on July 28-30 and coincides with a bye in the Ovens and Murray league.
After hosting the Victorian Country Championships last year, Geelong withdrew from the carnival played at Lavington due to financial reasons.
But five players from the Geelong league were included in the initial 28-man Victorian training squad for the championships and soon after issued an explanation following queries about their eligibility.
Five players were also chosen from the championship’s winning league, O and M.
“The VCFL’s investment in Victoria being recognised as a leader of country football in Australia brings a clear commitment and obligation to select the best possible squad from major league footballers for the purpose of winning the ACFC division one title at each carnival," VCFL operations manager Brett Connell explained.
“A committed and high-profile coach in Leigh Colbert (and his selection panel) must be given the opportunity to select (in their opinion) the right balance of available players for this year’s carnival.
“The VCFL does not have a rule for the eligibility or non-eligibility of players for the major league state side, just as there are no existing rules for players to be selected in the district league state side that represents Victoria in a division of the ACFC carnival.
“There is obviously an argument to say that players that perform at an inter-league level have an edge over those that do not play inter-league for whatever reason.
“In the case of the Geelong players selected in the training squad they are proven representative players with several previously receiving All-Australian honours at the last ACFC carnival.
“Those players have been monitored and are all enjoying strong form in 2006.
“The players from Geelong had no say in their league withdrawing from the 2006 country championships and therefore cannot be individually held responsible for their league’s decision.
“Fielding a competitive and balanced VCFL state side should not be confused with any politics, retribution or penalties that some people may believe should be dealt out to Football Geelong.
“The players should not be penalised.”
Former Wangaratta Rovers coach John O’Donohue is a selector.
_WWW.BORDERMAIL.COM.AU