Bendigo Bombers & Essendon

[thebigboy]

Pretty strong rumors going around that we will be parting ways with Bendigo at season end.

Could Bendigo survive by themselves? Personally, I think no chance. The non-AFL listed players are really struggling at the moment and it doesn't look like getting any better.

From Essendon's point of view, I would like to see them go stand alone in a similar way to Collingwood or perhaps look at forming an Alliance with Port Melbourne.

 

[pazza]

Pretty strong rumors going around that we will be parting ways with Bendigo at season end.

Could Bendigo survive by themselves? Personally, I think no chance. The non-AFL listed players are really struggling at the moment and it doesn't look like getting any better.

From Essendon's point of view, I would like to see them go stand alone in a similar way to Collingwood or perhaps look at forming an Alliance with Port Melbourne.

Before Ant555 gets in, I'm going to say this.

Yes, there is a review being conducted of the Bendigo Bombers in June this year.

But, it would seem unlikely Essendon would go standalone for a number of reasons:

1. The VFL does not want any more standalone teams in the competion than what they have right now. By ending the Alliance, 2 standalone teams are created.

2. Port Melbourne DO NOT to be aligned with anyone. They are proud of their stadnalone stance, so are Frankston.

3. It would be difficult to make an Essendon standalone team work again. Windy Hill, even after all the work done on it, stages EDFL matches, is home to the EDFL umpires and will most likely be used for St. Bernards/Old Essendon derbies in the future. They are all sources of revenue. Most would go with a regular VFL game at Windy Hill.

4. There is some work that can be done to make the alliance as it now stands work better. Best thing is to get the balance right between games in Bendigo and at Windy Hill.

5. All the scuttlebutt about the place saying that the Essendon players playing for Bendigo not liking it, is simply just just that - scuttlebutt. Don't believeit..or believe in it.

 

[GUMBLETRON]

I would love games at Windy, be it an 'Essendon' team or just the occasional Bendigo job.

 

[Beamdogg]

I think most powerful clubs in AFL will have their own teams in the VFL shortly. Bendigo is a bit hard for them to manage compared to how Collingwood run their program

 

[GUMBLETRON]

Have there been any further developments on that whisper of the Bulldogs setting up a new Footscray team for the VFL?

 

[CrowdedHouse]

This from AFL Victoria....

MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

AFL Victoria wishes to advise that Victorian Football League matches will not be played at Bendigo’s Queen Elizabeth Oval until the ground is deemed fit for play.

AFL Victoria recently commissioned the AFL’s turf consultants Australian Golf Course Superintendant Association to inspect the condition of the QEO.

Its preliminary report found the QEO surface was inconsistent in its firmness, its grass cover and had different grass types and therefore was unsuitable for VFL matches.

Consequently, this Monday’s Bendigo Bombers versus Box Hill Hawks clash has been moved to Essendon’s Windy Hill.

AFL Victoria Operations Manager John Hook said the VFL had made the call to look after the interests of its clubs and players.

“We had real concerns expressed to us by VFL clubs who had played there recently,” Hook said.

“There is uncertainty for a player’s footing and this can lead to a greater risk of injury.

“The welfare of the players is paramount.”

Hook said it was disappointing that matches had to be moved from a Victorian football stronghold.

“It’s putting enormous pressure on the Bendigo Bombers and it’s not their fault,” Hook said.

“We are disappointed for the Bendigo Bombers as they have sponsorship commitments to fulfill at the ground and they would like to play at the QEO in front of their home fans.

“Bendigo is an important Victorian football region and an important part of the VFL competition. It’s disappointing VFL games cannot be played there.”

The next match scheduled for the QEO is the Sunday, July 12 round 13 clash against Geelong.

Hook said the ground would be monitored and hoped it would again be fit for VFL standard.

“The possibility of future games will be discussed with the City of Greater Bendigo and determined by what can be done,” Hook said.

 

[GUMBLETRON]

http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnew...dumping-bendigo/2009/06/03/1243708507024.html

ESSENDON appears likely to ditch its VFL partner, the Bendigo Bombers, and enter a stand-alone team in the competition next season.

The Dons, whose affiliation with Bendigo expires at the end of the season, are expected to join Geelong and Collingwood as stand-alone VFL clubs. It is a decision that would put Bendigo at risk of folding in the VFL due to its shallow talent pool.

"We've been looking at different models and stand-alone is one of them," Essendon football manager Paul Hamilton said.

"Our first aim is to review what our options are and we're in discussions with our Bendigo group, that's where we're at at the moment."

It is understood Essendon is frustrated at seeing its fringe senior players, most recently Scott Lucas, Brent Prismall, Andrew Welsh and Darcy Daniher, compete in a team that is being beaten by large margins.

The alignment is also seen to be one of the more fragile in the competition, according to insiders at Essendon.

The travel factor has also been problematic for the players and coaches, and is "hard work", according to coach Adrian Hickmott.

"I travel up here every second week," Hickmott said.

"I keep saying to these blokes, it's like going to Western Australia."

After eight rounds, the winless Bendigo Bombers are on the bottom of the VFL ladder with a percentage of 48.75, having twice lost by 100 points or more.

They lost by 112 points to Sandringham on Sunday.

"No one likes losing, but it's not the No. 1 criteria," Hamilton said.

"We're certainly happy with getting into the market of Bendigo and the community up there but there are other areas that we'd also have to look at."

AFL Victoria chief executive Peter Schwab said there weren't criteria in place for a set number of AFL teams that could stand alone in the VFL, but he said all teams had to apply through AFLV.

While AFLV holds the cards in shutting down such applications, the VFL has the potential to grow into an AFL reserves competition in future years if AFL clubs prefer to go down the stand-alone path.

A partnership with financially stricken Frankston is also a possibility for the Bombers, with the second-last Dolphins desperate for financial help and success.

Essendon will decide in August on its future in the VFL.

Bendigo chairman David Joss said it would be a challenge for the team to remain viable in the VFL if it parted ways with the Bombers.

"It would certainly be a challenge for the talent pool that's available to us," Joss said. "We did recruit really hard, but the reality is the Bendigo market isn't great in attracting talent."

He said the club was also reviewing its situation after "a disappointing start to the season".

"We're looking at all options and that's (splitting with Essendon) got to be one," Joss said. "But the reality is that AFL Victoria mightn't accept any more stand-alone AFL clubs in the VFL."

 

[Arc of Infinity]

The Arc of Infinity Rubber Stamps Bomber Bid for Stand Alone VFL Side

The Arc of Infinity today granted leave for the Essendon Bombers to dump Bendigo as its affiliate in the VFL and enter a stand alone team in Victoria’s premiere state competition next year.


The Arc firmly believes that Bombers listed players are having massive harm wrought upon them by being forced to play with a side that couldn’t win an argument with Michael Voss and his commanding use of the English language.


His Royal Beardness of The Arc, Beard Sean Neubeck said today that “The alignment betwixt the two aforementioned football clubs, which began in 2003, is no longer a tenable one. Essendon is no longer favourably disposed toward the alignment on the basis that Bendigo does not provide a sufficient and appropriate competitive base for AFL listed players to develop, regain form, or prepare in mind and body for AFL level football.”

The Arc also intimated that the AFL are not the keepers of the sacred parchments of footballing lore and should not use the power they have attained through ill-gotten means to censure or block the request from one of the Spiritual Clubs of the game.


“It is a sad state of affairs when such a powerful and proud club has to send its players to the footballing equivalent of the gas chambers at Auschwitz every week.” said Arc Grand Wizard of Forthright Comment Jason Woolmer.


His Royal Beardness, Beard Neubeck went on to add “So that such a proposal not be firmly met with refusal without reserve or disguise by the lordships at AFL Headquarters, the Arc of Infinity would be most pleased to offer its judgment, where it be surely welcomed, in support of Essendon’s proposal.”


Vice Chancellor of Common Sense Mike Foxall concluded that “The sole focus of VFL scheduling should be it’s accessibility to the Arc during its Melbourne visitations. The Arc provide their revered wisdom on players, clubs and umpiring decisions as a courtesy to the VFL and it would be appreciated if some of the same courtesy be returned - rather than the metaphoric water boarding we receive by having to travel to hillbilly whistle stops such as Bendigo.”

Members of The Arc of Infinity will be available for comment whenever requested (except for tea time)

 

[CrowdedHouse]

As I posted in the Essendon and BB Forums...

An Essendon alignment with Coburg CAN and SHOULD happen.

Remember Williamstown broke their alignment with Collingwood to hop back into bed with the Bulldogs again - with the Doggies leaving Werribee at the Altar.

The reason I believe we have a chance of aligning with Coburg is that Richmond is/has built a new facility at Craigieburn and have expressed interest in playing VFL games there.

It's know that the very small hardcore of Coburg supporters don't want to move from Coburg City Oval as it would no doubt be the death of the Coburg name.

So I suggest the Essendon board approaches Coburg and talks about an alignment from season 2010.

The advantages are...

Coburg has the Calder Cannons as their TAC Cup Club. That means both clubs and The Calder players are from the LOCAL area - giving Essendon alignment a real LOCAL feel.
Kids that grow up in the local area could litteraly come thru a system that from Under 18's to VFL to AFL keeps them in the local area.

Better Media Coverage - The Local Newspapers could give a Double Page spread on all 3 clubs - since we'd all be connected.

Essendon dollars to upgrade Coburg City Oval - We know the Moreland City Council won't spend any money, but the EFC could and help turn the ground into an asset for the local community - in conjuction with the EDFL both Windy Hill and Coburg could be used for local footy finals.


The Coburg alignment is the BEST for us - and the EFC need to get into talks NOW with Coburg to make it happen.


Peter.

 

[GUMBLETRON]

The problem is we likely want most/all games at Windy and a total re-branding including mascot and guernsey. I believe that was the proposed 'Northern Bombers' deal that the Bullants knocked back.

 

[CrowdedHouse]

Could be just about over.

Here's the latest Press Release from AFL Vic...

MEDIA RELEASE FROM AFL VICTORIA:

AFL Victoria wishes to advise that no Victorian Football League (VFL) matches will be played at Bendigo’s Queen Elizabeth Oval (QEO) for the remainder of the 2009 VFL season.

The Bendigo Bombers remaining four QEO matches – starting with this Sunday’s match against Geelong – will now be played at Windy Hill in Essendon.

Today, an independent ground inspection concluded the QEO was still unsuitable for VFL matches.

AFL Victoria Operations Manager John Hook said parts of the turf had improved since the QEO was closed for VFL matches on June 2 but the ground remained uneven in grass cover and firmness.

“We appreciate the work the City of Greater Bendigo has done to keep traffic off the QEO to help the ground recover,” Hook said.

“The turf has improved in areas such as the wings and the flanks but the risk factor remains in the centre square and the centre corridor.

“It is disappointing for the Bendigo Bombers and the people of Bendigo that no more VFL matches will be played at the QEO this year. But we have to consider the welfare of players and we had to eliminate that risk of injury, particularly as the VFL has so many AFL players.

“The ground will not improve markedly before the season ends so it is prudent to allow the ground to recover for the 2010 season.”

The following match venues have been changed from the QEO:

Round 13
Sunday, July 12
Bendigo Bombers v Geelong @ Windy Hill

Round 15
Saturday, July 25
Bendigo Bombers v Northern Bullants @ Windy Hill

Round 16
Sunday, August 2
Bendigo Bombers v Sandringham @ Windy Hill

Round 13
Sunday, August 23
Bendigo Bombers v North Ballarat @ Windy Hill

 

[onslaught]

Will the VFL grant another license to a stand-alone AFL club? I doubt it.. Even Schwab said in the Record this week that it would negatively impact the image of the competition.

 

[My North]

any updates on the Bendigo Bombers and Essendon alignment.

I doubt bendigo will continue in the VFL without the alignment.

 

[Mitchell Madness]

if the dons part ways with bendigo it will see bendigo forced out of the VFL. their ground is in shocking condition, hence the moves to windy hill

 

[bigbunyip14]

its a waste of money, keeping them in the league. the dons could spend that money on a injury specialist.

 

[Synth]

its a waste of money, keeping them in the league. the dons could spend that money on a injury specialist.

Unlike your club, we have plenty of money for both.

 

[bigbunyip14]

Unlike your club, we have plenty of money for both.

then why havent you spent it on the injury speciallist??? hmmmm weird.

oh, we dont need to waste the money...

 

[bigbunyip14]

http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/sport/football-australian-rules/don-deal/1622191.aspx

what a joke

 

[Mrs Mercuri]

Lets hope with a new coach and a new set of ideas on how to bring both the Bendigo and Ess players together we can have a more successful year next year.

Fewer Ess injuries will help the cause as would a better list of VFL players. We must hang onto Paul Scanlon, James Flaherty, Stewart Crameri and Blair Holmes for next season.

 

[My North]

The Bendigo Bombers contiune on for another 2 years, good work done by all, however now pressure is on Frankston to stay in the VFL.

 

[Mrs Mercuri]

The pressure will only come to Frankston if they fail in 2010... dont forget they made the prelim final in 2008 and only just lost to Pt Melb.

 

[formerrobin]

I heard a strong rumour here is Tassie that former Richmond, Stkilda player AND Burnie Doclkers coach Justin Plapp will coach Bendigo in 2010.

 

[ESS 93]

I would love games at Windy, be it an 'Essendon' team or just the occasional Bendigo job.

The club is Bendigo in name only, if Essendon want to be with us, then they should start acting like it, help fix the QEO instead of just lazing around and keeping games away from BENDIGO, bring back the diggers. Essendon is just acting like snitches, it is BENDIGO NOT ESSENDON!!!!!! Christsake.

I heard a strong rumour here is Tassie that former Richmond, Stkilda player AND Burnie Doclkers coach Justin Plapp will coach Bendigo in 2010.

Anyone is better than Hickmott.

 

[pazza]

Brad Gotch's departure from Williamstown could see him head up the highway.

 

[Mrs Mercuri]

Gotch is now coaching the Scorpions.... what about Shannon Grant- he has quit Frankston??