Bendigo FL discussion 2026

[billyjoe]

Bit of a sign of greater societal problems wouldn’t do any harm to get rid of private schools altogether
Be nice to see a few more Tom Stewart’s in drafts give local footballers a shot

Plenty of gems who miss out for a multitude of reasons. No coincidence to see all the players drafted from state league as most of the high draft picks have played against men.

 

[Trent from barwon Heads]

The problem there is there isn’t many Tom Stewart’s around. I do t think there would be a huge number of local footballers who would be AFL level. Look at Dom Brew dominates VFL won everything you can just about and will never play AFL.

Recruiters tend to look at what guys cant do, rather thwn their strengths. Sometimes its amazing to see guys on afl lists for 5+ years who look to the eye not that talented, yet we have guys like dom brew, chris cain in the past, brayden crossley overlooked.

 

[Jack Doolan]

The problem there is there isn’t many Tom Stewart’s around. I do t think there would be a huge number of local footballers who would be AFL level. Look at Dom Brew dominates VFL won everything you can just about and will never play AFL.

Is it ability or opportunity though seems to me AFL clubs sometimes prefer a blank slate to mould instead of an established player when a lot of guys could slot straight in to the higher level and be fine
Maybe there should be some incentives for clubs to take local players like being a bonus extra list player not counted or if you could replace an injured player on your list with a local player

 

[Trent from barwon Heads]

Is it ability or opportunity though seems to me AFL clubs sometimes prefer a blank slate to mould instead of an established player when a lot of guys could slot straight in to the higher level and be fine
Maybe there should be some incentives for clubs to take local players like being a bonus extra list player not counted or if you could replace an injured player on your list with a local player

No what happens jwck is most recruiters will opt for the private school player, even if they are less talented, as they think they better character, they are able to fill the position of a role player better, than a more tqlented kid, who might do the odd silly thing. Unfortinately afl is turning into an elitist game, where flair and brillance and uncoventional is not great traits unless you are a top 5 pick. They prefer machines, that will obey running and kicking patterns, selfless team defensive running, over talent

 

[Shinjuku]

No what happens jwck is most recruiters will opt for the private school player, even if they are less talented, as they think they better character, they are able to fill the position of a role player better, than a more tqlented kid, who might do the odd silly thing. Unfortinately afl is turning into an elitist game, where flair and brillance and uncoventional is not great traits unless you are a top 5 pick. They prefer machines, that will obey running and kicking patterns, selfless team defensive running, over talent

The best talent almost always rises to the top. I have watched APS and Talent league games this year and the talent is outstanding in both. It wont matter if they change it, keep it the same, public school v private school opportunity, scholarships to fancy schools the very best players will almost always get to AFL. The sooner people accept that all of the pathways are set up for a small number of players to make AFL and that their son is part of a larger program that enables the cream of the crop to put their skills on display the better. The advantage of course is that the players that dont make the big time will set themselves a pretty high benchmark for the rest of their playing days.

 

[Trent from barwon Heads]

The best talent almost always rises to the top. I have watched APS and Talent league games this year and the talent is outstanding in both. It wont matter if they change it, keep it the same, public school v private school opportunity, scholarships to fancy schools the very best players will almost always get to AFL. The sooner people accept that all of the pathways are set up for a small number of players to make AFL and that their son is part of a larger program that enables the cream of the crop to put their skills on display the better. The advantage of course is that the players that dont make the big time will set themselves a pretty high benchmark for the rest of their playing days.

The travel involved in coates league os no longer sustainable and where many miss games due to the aps rounds. 3 players from vic country in the first round, with one a geelong boy, thats what 200 kids training what 3 -5 nights a week with many travelling for 3 picks so far

 

[Captain Sparkle]

Young league BnF Sandhurst bloke to South confirmed , potentially due to Bryce Curnow playing himself over him?

Curnow as coach should have been enough for him, but no, he kept 3 really good young guys out and Sandhurst will pay for it in '26.

 

[Trent from barwon Heads]

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This was 11 years ago, the gv was making a profit, since the afl took over, the league has run at a loss, afl barwon just recorded a 170k loss, im sure the bfl is running at a loss too. Id think that maybe the bfl should look at how the gv was running things than more than the rdfl

Never one to let a chance to pump up my tyres here, looks like the weekly times have used this in their latest article

 

[Jack Doolan]

Just reading about the SGM is this purely being driven by the treatment of Eaglehawk after the Grand Final?

 

[MortlockWatcher]

There would have been an element relating to the Gisborne scenario as well, I'd suggest.

 

[Shinjuku]

Curnow as coach should have been enough for him, but no, he kept 3 really good young guys out and Sandhurst will pay for it in '26.

Every club on the planet has players that will leave because they dont like the coach. This isnt a Curnow problem or a Sandhurst problem we all have it. With English, 2 x Whartons, Tardrew, Tanner Nally, there are surely going to be plenty of opportunities in 2026

 

[Back in my Day]

Is it ability or opportunity though seems to me AFL clubs sometimes prefer a blank slate to mould instead of an established player when a lot of guys could slot straight in to the higher level and be fine
Maybe there should be some incentives for clubs to take local players like being a bonus extra list player not counted or if you could replace an injured player on your list with a local player

I do agree that in a lot of cases AFL teams will pick the kids and mould them to what they want specifically.

Just curious do you think or anyone in here think there is any players playing in BFNL that you are good enough for an AFL club to pick up? (not counting any who have so Greene, Hartley, Evans, Bauer etc.) I don't think there is.

AFL is so far clear of Local footy that it doesn't seem that commonly viable to me to go from local straight to AFL. I think really its best to go through state league first. There is plenty of players in BFNL who I think could play VFL level.

Also don't forget Tom Stewart was playing Geelong VFL he didn't go straight from Local to AFL with no exposure to higher level footy first. Geelong identified him from local level got him in the VFL program saw enough and drafted him and he is a star. I think some kids who get drafted shouldn't nominate at 18 they aren't always ready but the pressure is there to play you 2 years talent league and be drafted. There has been some absolute stars who needed a few years in state league while they grow and mature. Isaac smith was 21 or so when he was picked up, Mannagh, Tom Atkins, Podsiadly, Michael Barlow to name a few straight of the top of my head.

 

[Back in my Day]

Every club on the planet has players that will leave because they dont like the coach. This isnt a Curnow problem or a Sandhurst problem we all have it. With English, 2 x Whartons, Tardrew, Tanner Nally, there are surely going to be plenty of opportunities in 2026

I feel like Whartons' age possibly a factor. I get the feeling you either like Curnow or you don't no middle ground no like neutral. They'll still be good naturally.

 

[Jack Doolan]

I do agree that in a lot of cases AFL teams will pick the kids and mould them to what they want specifically.

Just curious do you think or anyone in here think there is any players playing in BFNL that you are good enough for an AFL club to pick up? (not counting any who have so Greene, Hartley, Evans, Bauer etc.) I don't think there is.

AFL is so far clear of Local footy that it doesn't seem that commonly viable to me to go from local straight to AFL. I think really its best to go through state league first. There is plenty of players in BFNL who I think could play VFL level.

Also don't forget Tom Stewart was playing Geelong VFL he didn't go straight from Local to AFL with no exposure to higher level footy first. Geelong identified him from local level got him in the VFL program saw enough and drafted him and he is a star. I think some kids who get drafted shouldn't nominate at 18 they aren't always ready but the pressure is there to play you 2 years talent league and be drafted. There has been some absolute stars who needed a few years in state league while they grow and mature. Isaac smith was 21 or so when he was picked up, Mannagh, Tom Atkins, Podsiadly, Michael Barlow to name a few straight of the top of my head.

I don’t think Branden Blake would be out of place on an AFL list and a couple of those young Eaglehawk forwards have plenty of ability

 

[Shinjuku]

I feel like Whartons' age possibly a factor. I get the feeling you either like Curnow or you don't no middle ground no like neutral. They'll still be good naturally.

I think Curnow is either liked or not liked as youve said and that is probably because he has had success along the way. I agree Sandhurst will be fine and the obsession with them, despite their moderate premiership success in modern times, will continue.

 

[Back in my Day]

I don’t think Branden Blake would be out of place on an AFL list and a couple of those young Eaglehawk forwards have plenty of ability

Braidon wouldn't be out of place on a VFL list. AFL list he would be. He's 194cm and not AFL level athletic so couldn't be a ruckman. Agreed the young Eaglehawk boys have potential but right now ceiling would be VFL in my opinion.

 

[Wooden Robot]

I do agree that in a lot of cases AFL teams will pick the kids and mould them to what they want specifically.

Just curious do you think or anyone in here think there is any players playing in BFNL that you are good enough for an AFL club to pick up? (not counting any who have so Greene, Hartley, Evans, Bauer etc.) I don't think there is.

AFL is so far clear of Local footy that it doesn't seem that commonly viable to me to go from local straight to AFL. I think really its best to go through state league first. There is plenty of players in BFNL who I think could play VFL level.

Also don't forget Tom Stewart was playing Geelong VFL he didn't go straight from Local to AFL with no exposure to higher level footy first. Geelong identified him from local level got him in the VFL program saw enough and drafted him and he is a star. I think some kids who get drafted shouldn't nominate at 18 they aren't always ready but the pressure is there to play you 2 years talent league and be drafted. There has been some absolute stars who needed a few years in state league while they grow and mature. Isaac smith was 21 or so when he was picked up, Mannagh, Tom Atkins, Podsiadly, Michael Barlow to name a few straight of the top of my head.

Not BFNL, but intrigued to see Williamson at Ararat was touted as a draft smokey (albeit he'd be returning to the AFL system, not stepping up and I don't think it will happen.
Again, been there done that, but no one will convince me Bewley wasn't worth another shot after 2021.

 

[footyhead2367]

Not BFNL, but intrigued to see Williamson at Ararat was touted as a draft smokey (albeit he'd be returning to the AFL system, not stepping up and I don't think it will happen.
Again, been there done that, but no one will convince me Bewley wasn't worth another shot after 2021.

Bewleys problem is his too slow. Doesn’t matter at local or VFL level but gets found out in the AFL. Beautiful kick and has a massive tank though.

 

[Trent from barwon Heads]

Braidon wouldn't be out of place on a VFL list. AFL list he would be. He's 194cm and not AFL level athletic so couldn't be a ruckman. Agreed the young Eaglehawk boys have potential but right now ceiling would be VFL in my opinion.

Henderson if hes fit and had a coach believe in him would be the one. A few ovens and murray guys wouldnt look out of place on a list.

 

[Back in my Day]

Henderson if hes fit and had a coach believe in him would be the one. A few ovens and murray guys wouldnt look out of place on a list.

Hendo gun state league player. But not AFL. I did think he would get drafted from 18s and early VFL but never did.

 

[Red dirt specialist]

I feel like Whartons' age possibly a factor. I get the feeling you either like Curnow or you don't no middle ground no like neutral. They'll still be good naturally.

The Wharton boys are cashing in, they've looked at the comp and worked out they can get bulk coin and probably a flag in 2026. The Nally kid is a 2's player in the BFNL and a high paid fringe senior at Colbo. Who knows what has been dangled under Jack English's nose, given it's South he might be one point because he's been driven along Neale St as a child...

 

[douglee]

Where did the Wharton boys go?

 

[billyjoe]

Where did the Wharton boys go?

Mounts

 

[Mad Jack]

I tell ya what, Aunty Caz doesn’t really know how to read the room does she. Tells us she’s got “unfinished business” to tick off which is why she wants to stay on the board. It’s scary to think what that business might be, given the trajectory things have been on under her reign. I’d hazard a guess that number 1, 2 & 3 items would be to get the premiership cup back in the Slags hands. Maybe also fire out a few more ridiculous suspensions. And top it off with another club or 2 departing.

 

[dognuts]

I tell ya what, Aunty Caz doesn’t really know how to read the room does she. Tells us she’s got “unfinished business” to tick off which is why she wants to stay on the board. It’s scary to think what that business might be, given the trajectory things have been on under her reign. I’d hazard a guess that number 1, 2 & 3 items would be to get the premiership cup back in the Slags hands. Maybe also fire out a few more ridiculous suspensions. And top it off with another club or 2 departing.

She's a clown! Power Tripper. Just move on and regain some competence and professionalism!