VCFL Championships POOL A

[Flat Track Bully]

Will be played at lavington (NSW)...

This means two of the pools, (A and C) will be played outside of Victoria...

This is interesting, because once upon a time the VCFL refused to play interleague grand finals at Lavington because it wasn't in Victoria.

The highlight will be the clash under lights between the O and M and the GV.

 

[Punter_22]

Glad to see that they have come to their senses and will play the highest standards of country football at one of the best grounds outside of Melbourne.
And I hope the GV stitches up O and M on their home turf.

 

[big tony]

Glad to see that they have come to their senses and will play the highest standards of country football at one of the best grounds outside of Melbourne.
And I hope the GV stitches up O and M on their home turf.

big chance that could happen, gv are just getting stronger and stronger by the year.
o and m i think are dropping in standards.
gv should stitch them up.
GO GV!!!!!!!!!

 

[Zippa]

big chance that could happen, gv are just getting stronger and stronger by the year.
o and m i think are dropping in standards.
gv should stitch them up.
GO GV!!!!!!!!!

watched the o&m v. gv game at g-long last year it was a gv white wash and with the players who could still come into a gv side there wood be a big chance to see a 10-20 goal margin in this short game format

 

[flagpie]

watched the o&m v. gv game at g-long last year it was a gv white wash and with the players who could still come into a gv side there wood be a big chance to see a 10-20 goal margin in this short game format

Surely you're not serious about the possibility of a 20-goal result in the shortened format?

 

[muesli]

Will be played at lavington (NSW)...

This means two of the pools, (A and C) will be played outside of Victoria...

Where are B, C & D being played?

 

[Blitz Train]

The MFL is hosting C in Barooga

 

[Grimmett]

The MFL is hosting C in Barooga

Bendigo, Central Murray, Murray and Wimmera playing in Pool C if memory serves. Murray up from Pool D and Wimmera down from Pool B.

 

[muesli]

Yarra Valley is hosting Pool D

 

[Grimmett]

Pool B is being played at Cranbourne.

However with the news that Football Geelong is considering pulling the Geelong FL and Bellarine FL from the competition due to the costs perhaps the whole Championships are under threat.
Warrnambool Standard reports tha Hampden is considering their participation as well and WIN TV added Central Murray as a league not happy with the cost.

 

[Grimmett]

Today's Ballarat Courier has an article outlining the Ballarat league's commitment to playing in the VCFL Championships regardless of venue or cost. The league CEO, Rod Ward, highlighted the fact that they budget for the expense of the venture rather than seeking extra funding from the VCFL.
The article also mentions the definite withdrawal of the Football Geelong leagues.

 

[half time lollies]

This was in today's Border Mail.....

Geelong pulls out of titles by David Johnston
November 25, 2005


THE Ovens and Murray has been rocked by Geelong's decision to withdraw from the Victorian Country Championships at Lavington Panthers Oval next season.
In a major shock, Football Geelong announced on Wednesday night the Geelong and Bellarine leagues would not compete in the championships due to an anticipated $30,000 loss.
Geelong hosted the Pool A titles this season when O and M, Ballarat and Goulburn Valley competed and Bellarine earned promotion to Pool B.
O and M chairman Greg Claney said he was "non-plussed" about the developments which placed the entire concept in jeopardy.
"I was with them all last Friday night at a major leagues meeting and we sat around the table and worked out the format," Claney said.
"Everyone was all systems go.
"I am non-plussed as to why it wasn't brought up at the VCFL seminar given the Friday night was set aside for major leagues to discuss inter-league."
Geelong won the inaugural round robin carnival at Shepparton last season and finished runner-up to GV earlier this year.
Claney said Football Geelong chief executive Steve O'Dowd had raised some "general issues" regarding the championships last weekend, but was under the impression one of the O and M's great inter-league adversaries would be at Lavington.
"We just can't afford to do it," Football Geelong chairman Peter Cullen said.
"There will be a $30,000 loss for the two leagues to compete.
"We decided rather than incur the wrath of the clubs, who are very much aware we lost $70,000 two years ago, than the other leagues.
"From a business point of view we couldn't justify it.
"If everything went according to plan we would lose $30,000, but if things didn't go perfectly right it could be worse."
The VCFL subsidises each league $11,000 to compete.
"We haven't pulled out forever, it's only next year, but what we are saying is if the VCFL does a re-hash and comes up with some more money we are back in."
VCFL chief executive Glenn Scott could not be contacted for comment yesterday, but GV general manager Eric Bott said Geelong's decision was "very disappointing to hear".
"I don't know where they get their figures from, but I just have to ask the question of when are these league going to start investing in their own future? he said.
"I mean they sit there with their chests pumped out saying they're the best, but they're not putting anything into developing their future and their league's future.
"It's bitterly disappointing."

 

[Grimmett]

With Hampden and Central Murray also bleating about the cost I get the distinct feel this is as much about screwing some more cash out of the VCFL as it is really withdrawing for the competition. ********weak by Football Geelong I reckon.