Essendon considers dumping Bendigo

[Burzum]

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.

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

 

[Kong]

Wow, that's big news. Wait until tomorrow; people will be all over this.

 

[stay true]

Interesting but not too surprising that the partnership is being reviewed. For me personally I'd be more interested in a stand alone side that plays at Windy Hill. That's based purely on the fact that I can't justify driving to Bendigo to watch us get smashed, but a 5 minute drive to Windy Hill to watch us get smashed isn't so bad lol.

Talent pool wouldn't be a problem for us with plenty of decent kids coming out of the EDFL etc.

I dunno enough about the VFL to provide anything insightful, but I'd like to see what Ant or any others in the know think.

 

[Enki]

Wow, that's big news. Wait until tomorrow; people will be all over this.

Why would people wait until friday to discuss this?

 

[Burzum]

Why would people wait until friday to discuss this?

I assume he's referring to people waking up in the morning.

 

[SirJimi05]

Why would people wait until friday to discuss this?

I hope you are being sarcastic.

 

[Enki]

I assume he's referring to people waking up in the morning.

Yes, I was just having fun with the technicality that he posted it on thursday so "tomorrow" was incorrect.

I hope you are being sarcastic.

You've found me out, damn it.

Although technically I was being facetious, not sarcastic.

 

[keepzitreal]

Awesome news... stand alone is definitely the way to go...

 

[Burzum]

Yes, I was just having fun with the technicality that he posted it on thursday so "tomorrow" was incorrect.

I apologize I'm tired and have worked my brain into oblivion.

 

[Enki]

No need to apologise. Most ordinary people aren't at their sharpest at 1:00 in the morning.

Especially when they have worked their brain into oblivion, which sounds uncomfortable to say the least.

 

[Kong]

No need to apologise. Most ordinary people aren't at their sharpest at 1:00 in the morning.

Especially when they have worked their brain into oblivion, which sounds uncomfortable to say the least.

Which explains my 'tomorrow' brain lapse. Bugger me, 2am. Time for this zombie to get some sleep.

 

[BringBackCransberg]

There's always been something heartless about the partnership. I've got origins in Bendigo and I'm a lifelong, diehard EFC supporter -- the alliance has always made me:

1. Slightly disappointed with Essendon (lots of little things, and the genuine 'Let's use Bendigo' attitude)
2. Kinda feeling ashamed of Bendigo, for not supporting the team as well as it could, or providing players that could give the team a shot at success.

It all leaves me sad. It's either got to end, or be fixed. Obviously I'd prefer it to be fixed. Most of that responsibility lies with Essendon I think, as Bendigo (the city) are going to find it hard to support a club (Bendigo Bombers) that has a whole cold feeling about it, and most of that feeling is due to the EFC's unashamedly use-focused approach to the team. But maybe it just can't be fixed because of the modern day AFL and the position of Bendigo.

Carn the Diggers. There was a team with heart (if barely a win to its name).

 

[yaco55]

Interesting but not too surprising that the partnership is being reviewed. For me personally I'd be more interested in a stand alone side that plays at Windy Hill. That's based purely on the fact that I can't justify driving to Bendigo to watch us get smashed, but a 5 minute drive to Windy Hill to watch us get smashed isn't so bad lol.

Talent pool wouldn't be a problem for us with plenty of decent kids coming out of the EDFL etc.

I dunno enough about the VFL to provide anything insightful, but I'd like to see what Ant or any others in the know think.

There is no guarantee that the VFL will give Essendon a licence.

Whome pasted a small part of the article and the complete article,mentions the possibility of liasing with Frankston.

The travel time from Essendon to Bendigo or Frankston is not much different, although you assume that there will be a greater pool of players to draw from the peninsula.

Dont assume that young players from the EDFL would necessarily play for Essendon Reserves - As many younger players prefer to play 'for money', rather than impressing in the VFL.

Finally, Is EFC prepared to spend extra money to fund a stand alone team - With no guarantee that onfield results will improve.

 

[bOmBeR_BoY1]

That is some of the best news to come out of EFC all year.

The alliance has turned stale, the results are a joke and we can't afford to have players on our list consistently being in teams that are losing by 15-20 goals every week. A stand-alone Essendon VFL team, playing home games at Windy Hill, will be a much more competitive unit and have a greater talent pool to gather players from.

 

[OzBomber]

I bet you it will be another 'Hutchy Exclusive' tonight on the footy show.

But that's great news.

 

[strategy]

cost a lot of $$$$$ plus the structure of running the team , trainers , medics , etc etc .

Is it wise in this economic climate ?

Do or will the Bombers have a stand alone team plus reserves for the team ,strong enough to be competitive ?

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

BB are shit. Would be a good move.

 

[table tennis]

cost a lot of $$$$$ plus the structure of running the team , trainers , medics , etc etc .

Is it wise in this economic climate ?

Do or will the Bombers have a stand alone team plus reserves for the team ,strong enough to be competitive ?

Im sure they wouldnt do it if they couldnt afford it.

Bendigo getting flogged everyweek cant be a good thing. especially travelling all that way to get a hiding.

However, the players who get into the senior side, will give everything to ensure they dont get dropped and end up back there, so it could have a negative/positive response.

The ability to attract players to Windy Hill will be a lot stronger, with better players, a stronger base would be laid.

With Western Jets, Calder Cannons & northern knights in the not too distant radius, there are some good chance we could pinch a few good non draftees etc.

Obviously a stand alone works well for Geelong. Its too early to judge Collingwood.

IN terms of getting a license, If Bendigo fold, We Will get their license.

 

[Longy413]

cost a lot of $$$$$ plus the structure of running the team , trainers , medics , etc etc .

Is it wise in this economic climate ?

Do or will the Bombers have a stand alone team plus reserves for the team ,strong enough to be competitive ?

Bendigo as a club, have next to no money.

EFC have pumped dollars in to upgrade facilities, equipment etc.
Most of the medics and the like are EFC staff, most of the salary cap and recruitment is covered by EFC.

The only real greater expense we would have in going stand alone is the increase in the license fee. But given our sponsorship team would have a stronger brand to sell, this would be offset somewhat.

Bendigo never should have happened, and it should not have been extended as long as it has.

We are affecting the development of our young players and our players coming back from injury are also suffering.

I suspect the VFL might try and push us to staying, but Bendigo Bombers isn't working for EFC and it never really has.

 

[Giggidy Giggidy]

Other point not mentioned so far is the condition of Windy Hill surface vs QBE.

QBE surface was deemed unsatisfactory for Monday's VFL match. Doesn't provide me with much confidence in the safety of our players, particularly Prizz & co. returning from knee injuries.

 

[Kong]

I bet you it will be another 'Hutchy Exclusive' tonight on the footy show.

Oh yeah, no doubt.

 

[Synth]

We should be playing all home games at Windy Hill! Bendigo means nothing to me and I'm sure it means nothing to the vast majority of Essendon supporters.

If we have even a slim chance to bail then we should take it!

 

[ant555]

There is one issue for everyone to remember here.

AFLV is on record several times this year and last year as saying they are not interested in any more stand alone sides in the VFL


Until you here anything different coming out of AFLV then there will be no stand alone side.

If anyone had been following the recent issues with AFLV they would have know that a vote to give the AFL more voting power on the AFLV board was defeated and one of the reasons was they did not want the AFL to have the power to turn the VFL into an AFL seconds comp.

As recently as three weeks ago there was a comment in the VFL/TAC Cup record about not having any interest in givning any more stand alone licenes.
They where pushing ahead to improve the current VFL clubs with better alignments with the TAC Cup sides.

The story is pretty much made up of some Essendon comments to test the waters and some speculative assumptions to finish the story.

 

[daffo]

Wasn't the issue with Bendigo the fact that all their good players played in the local league instead of with BB?
Anyway this is great news I believe, we were considering doing this a couple of years ago, so i'm really happy it's finally happened. Hopefully this will be the end to our 100+ weekly smashings.

 

[bacon buster]

well if we don't get a stand alone side, why don't we just train and play all of our homes games at windy hill then, and still retain the 'bendigo bombers' name?