Bendigo FL discussion 2025

[Del231899]

Also in regards to senior coaching, isn't the Broadford senior role 80k +, if they get the right coach and appoint early, then it could work. If they can prove to be a point of difference from wallan and Kilmore, the hardest part will be trying to entice kids to travel further and get probably flogged each week and get guys from around that area to leave their current club and go to broadford, only a mcguane type could do that, I wonder if afl vic are helping pay for a coach too, how does a club in recession for 2 years, find that money?

 

[Truck]

I can't see that working long term. Maryborough is a town of 10k, all the other clubs are small little towns, you could end like Wonthaggi in the defunct Alberton league that after a merger just kept winning flags against small towns and got forced into a league which they now don't fit

Could go the other way too. Get them into the MCDFL, get them back humming and then look to join a better league in 5 -10 years.
Similar thing happened with the Southern Mallee Giants. Spent a couple of years in the Horsham District League and then got asked to step into the Wimmera league where I think they played off in the big dance straight up.

Wouldn't be all that different to Maryborough, if the giants were to finish up. 3 clubs into 1, Southern Mallee Thunder are 4 into 1? Covering almost half the state, but are making it work across 4 home grounds.

 

[localfootyguru]

Could go the other way too. Get them into the MCDFL, get them back humming and then look to join a better league in 5 -10 years.
Similar thing happened with the Southern Mallee Giants. Spent a couple of years in the Horsham District League and then got asked to step into the Wimmera league where I think they played off in the big dance straight up.

Wouldn't be all that different to Maryborough, if the giants were to finish up. 3 clubs into 1, Southern Mallee Thunder are 4 into 1? Covering almost half the state, but are making it work across 4 home grounds.

Interested to read the comments about football here in Maryborough. Firstly, the Maryborough Giants will not fold in the immediate term. They have had some hiccups since their establishment mainly around the choice of senior coach who wasn't a good choice and that upset a few people who have walked away from the merged entity. As for their long term future they are no different to many clubs in the area who are struggling for various reasons.

As for my club, the decision to go into recess was discussed for a long time and various views were given. Some people wanted to go on and others didn't. The decision didn't please everyone.

As for 2026, no decision has been made for our future but we will not be in the Bendigo FNL if we do reform. We are doing a lot of work around the structure and future direction of the club but player numbers will be an issue (we don't have any at this time). We do have a vibrant junior club who are doing really well but most are a long way off becoming senior players. I am hoping we will be back on field in 2026 (the MCDFNL is likely if it is supported) but there is a long way to go before anything is confirmed.

Regardless of what happens, the same issues remain, too many teams in the area, ever reducing numbers of players and the continual 'poaching' of players from one club to another to cover a particular clubs' losses through offering various incentives. The recruitment of players from far flung places on good money and other incentives is another band aid approach and is not sustainable in the long term. It is just an ongoing cycle and perhaps a 'race to the bottom'.

Still no action or implementation of any strategy or actions to try and improve football in the area. I don't think those involved in the management of football think this is important despite our approaches to have another review into the direction of football in the area. My guess is we are not prominent enough and do not have the level of influence that others seem to do as was seen by the 'pie in the sky' proposal to reform Broadford FNC which gained support from AFL Victoria.

 

[Jack Doolan]

I haven’t played footy for 15 years and coaches were getting 15 or 20 then.

It would amaze me if every coach in this league wasn’t getting at least 30 grand.

 

[Del231899]

I haven’t played footy for 15 years and coaches were getting 15 or 20 then.

It would amaze me if every coach in this league wasn’t getting at least 30 grand.

I'd doubt many would be on 20k in the bfl

 

[Back in my Day]

Like I’ve said previously he is an assistant coach of Strath 18’s and coaches one of the under 14 teams. Highly doubt he’s going to leave em in the lurch

…. This gaining some real traction. I’m hearing Gordon has actually walked out on Storm.

 

[BGOFootyNuff]

He has indeed

No way! Has he actually?!!!!! So he’s walked out on juniors, 18s and seniors. There must be something seriously wrong out there. Wow…

 

[ringo1]

He has indeed

Are the Echuca rumours true??

 

[NeonLeon81]

I suspect the parting was fairly mutual based on what I heard yesterday. Seemed inevitable it was going to happen.

 

[Del231899]

Will moorhead help them out in the 2nd half of the year?

 

[Del231899]

I suspect the parting was fairly mutual based on what I heard yesterday. Seemed inevitable it was going to happen.

How's it mutual, not sure strath would want him to leave?

 

[hilux98]

Apparently so

Definitely gone

 

[Mad Jack]

No way! Has he actually?!!!!! So he’s walked out on juniors, 18s and seniors. There must be something seriously wrong out there. Wow…

Didn’t we get told on here a few weeks ago it wasn’t true, he wasn’t going anywhere?
They’re in all sorts. Years of hard work setting foundations, and it’s all falling apart at a rapid rate. Serious question marks over a few of the big wig decision makers.

 

[Del231899]

What's going on at maine?

 

[Mad Jack]

What's going on at maine?

They’d be disappointed with today, though they ran into a red hot Burra and from afar looks like Maine were a long way from full strength.
The way the season is shaping up, looks like 7 wins will make finals given the ludicrous decision to retain a top 5, so they’re still in the hunt.

 

[Humphrey BB]

What's going on at maine?

I watched them play Gizzy last week, there biggest problem is NEH, not enough Hartleys, he plays back which means he’s not fwd. he kicks outta fb and he’s not on the wing where he probably should be to take the ball and set them up going fwd. Mind you I thought Pat McKenna actually did well against him last week given the size difference.

 

[Crazymaggy2020]

Good article in addy about Broadford and Carol being so positive about their inclusion in 2026 - a good read

 

[Jack Doolan]

What's going on at maine?

Had a look yesterday, injuries are killing them.

By my rough count they had Henderson, Filo, Murley, Ryan Eyre, and Sheahan all out as well as another couple of fringe type young guys.

If you take 4 or 5 of the best out of any country team they will come back real fast.

 

[Jack Doolan]

I watched them play Gizzy last week, there biggest problem is NEH, not enough Hartleys, he plays back which means he’s not fwd. he kicks outta fb and he’s not on the wing where he probably should be to take the ball and set them up going fwd. Mind you I thought Pat McKenna actually did well against him last week given the size difference.

He’s copping a hiding as well as teams know he is the key. You wonder how long he will be able to take it.

Desperately needs the ex GWS bloke in to give him a chop out. Balta has been pretty disappointing in the ruck as well which doesn’t help.

 

[Doona2]

Good article in addy about Broadford and Carol being so positive about their inclusion in 2026 - a good read

A 2026 coaching announcement coming in the next week or so I believe.

 

[Mad Jack]

A 2026 coaching announcement coming in the next week or so I believe.

Got a name for us Doona?

 

[Doona2]

Got a name for us Doona?

I dont sorry, only told that a massive name will be announced very soon.

Has been plenty of prominent names mentioned as being spoken to and/or contacted about any possible interest, and a national recruiting manager I caught a CTL game with recently suggested a pretty lofty remuneration as being available so it sounds like the club is going full steam ahead which is still quite remarkable to fathom but good on them for trying.

Doesn't solve the long term problem once money dries up or the current admin and business model changes so a lot to play out yet.

And still hearing around the traps Gisborne are still very much contemplating Ballarat for all the reasons previously mentioned on here so could it be one club in, one club out in 2026?

 

[billyjoe]

Can’t even be considered “major league” footy anymore.

 

[Del231899]

I dont sorry, only told that a massive name will be announced very soon.

Has been plenty of prominent names mentioned as being spoken to and/or contacted about any possible interest, and a national recruiting manager I caught a CTL game with recently suggested a pretty lofty remuneration as being available so it sounds like the club is going full steam ahead which is still quite remarkable to fathom but good on them for trying.

Doesn't solve the long term problem once money dries up or the current admin and business model changes so a lot to play out yet.

And still hearing around the traps Gisborne are still very much contemplating Ballarat for all the reasons previously mentioned on here so could it be one club in, one club out in 2026?

Has to be mcguane

 

[Doona2]

Has to be mcguane

They did speak but no idea if/where that progressed.

Outisde of Jesus Christ it'll need to someone like Mick (if it's not) otherwise compiling a squad in a town that boasts not one major league standard footballer and a fractured junior pathway will be the biggest challenge of all.