BY NATHAN DOLE
Leagues mark a new rivalry
CHAPTER one in a new footy rivalry between the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL and the Victorian Amateur Football Association will be written this Saturday in Brighton.
The Bendigo FNL will mark its first representative match in five years when it tackles the VAFA at Elsternwick Park from 2.10pm.
Eight of the nine Bendigo clubs are represented in this match.
Co-coach at Sandhurst, Ash Connick takes charge of the blue and gold.
“Our main strength, other than being a talented group, is the players commitment to represent the league,” Connick said.
“All selected have shown a real passion for inter-league footy.
“We will have a well-balanced and flexible side which was a key component of selection.”
Connick and assistant coaches Brad Eaton, Luke Freeman, Shannon Geary and Jason Stevens had a daunting task of finalising a team of 22 and two emergencies.
“The main difficulty in selection is leaving some really good players out who are keen to represent the league,” Connick said.
“It’s also challenging trying to pick a side that matches up well and gives us the best chance of winning against an opposition that will challenge us in a lot of ways.”
Both teams are stacked with plenty of scoring options.
Key targets in Bendigo’s attack are Strathfieldsaye’s James Schischka, Golden Square captain Jayden Burke, and Gisborne premiership captain of two seasons ago, Pat McKenna.
The Bendigo team which thrashed AFL Outer East by 99 points at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo five years ago included Gisborne clubmates Jack Reaper and Pat McKenna.
A key factor will be Bendigo’s play at centre clearances and stoppages.
Strathfieldsaye young gun Caleb Ernst will start in the ruck and team with Storm team-mates Daniel Clohesy and Lachlan Gill, and Golden Square star Ricky Monti.
In defence, Eaglehawk’s Charlie Langford and Gisborne’s Jack Reaper are in the key posts and will team up with Maryborough co-coach Coby Perry, South Bendigo co-coach Isaiah Miller, Sandhurst’s Cooper Smith and Gisborne’s Zac Vescovi.
“We have many players representing the Bendigo FNL for the first time, which is exciting,” Connnick said.
Among them is Golden Square’s Tom Strauch who adds to his family’s strong links to inter-league football.
Strauch’s grandfather, the late Neville Strauch was a country championship-winning coach with Bendigo in 1989.
A star-studded Bendigo FNL team throughout the 90s include Tom Strauch’s father, Dean.
On Saturday it will be Tom keen to have an impact across midfield with South Bendigo’s Brody Haddow.
“Inter-league footy is really important,” said Connick.
“We want to showcase the talent in our league and give players a chance to come together and play with the best of their peers.
“It’s also great recognition for players and being exposed to higher level footy can only benefit them when they return to club land.”
Some in the Bendigo squad will not be part of September’s action, so in some way Saturday’s match is a final for them.
Connick said there was plenty of leadership in the squad.
“Our captain, Jack Reaper, is just a natural leader and we couldn’t be happier to have him on board.
“We have a lot of guys that will help Jack and provide great leadership and guidance on the day.
“We have six or seven that are captains and/or coaches within the league which gives us great confidence we will be really strongly led.”
The VAFA squad coached by Luke Mahoney has drawn 18 players from Premier B, and a representative from divisions one, two and three.
Assistant coaches are Adam Andrews, Dave Murray and Michael Pickering.
There are 10 clubs represented in the Amateur team.
Saturday’s action at Elsternwick Park kicks off at 11.40am with the Holmesglen VAFA Under 19 Showcase as North takes on South.
Teams for Saturday’s clash:
Bendigo
B: Coby Perry (Mb), Charlie Langford (Eh), Zac Vescovi (Gis.).
Hb: Isaiah Miller Miller (SB), Jack Reaper (captain, Gis.), Cooper Smith (Sh).
C: Tom Strauch (GS), Lachlan Gill (S’saye), Brody Haddow (SB).
Hf: Cobi Maxted (Sh), Jayden Burke (GS), Matt Harvey (S’saye).
F: Jack Stewart (GS), James Schischka (S’saye), Pat McKenna (Gis.).
Foll: Caleb Ernst (S’saye), Ricky Monti (GS), Daniel Clohesy (S’saye).
Inter: Luke Ellings (KF), Brock Harvey (SB), Lachlan Ratcliffe (S’saye), Jordan Rosengren (GS).
Emerg: Jed Denahy (Gis.), Malik Gordon (S’saye).
Coach: Ash Connick (Sh).
Asst coaches: Brad Eaton, Luke Freeman, Shannon Geary, Jason Stevens.
Club legend – Eh Eaglehawk, Gis. Gisborne, GS Golden Square, KF Kangaroo Flat, Mb Maryborough, Sh Sandhurst, SB South Bendigo, S’saye Strathfieldsaye.
Victorian Amateur Football Association, Premier B, division three Big V team:
B: William Horsfall (OG), Simon Richie (A), Callum Heath (B).
Hb: Fletcher Banfield (NB), Jack Sheridan (OG), Sam Kieseker (W).
C: Harrison Kennedy (U), Charles Beasley (OT), Archie Loughnan (CG).
Hf: Riley Virtue (B), Josh Cowan (SBMT), Callum Linehan (B).
F: Tom Filipovic (DLS), Alex Emery (OT), Edward Weatherson (OT).
Foll: Oscar Roberts (CG), Christian Algeri (DLS), Liam Conway (W’town).
Inter (from): Nathan Scollo (DLS), Alex Bennett (MB), Christos Manoussakis (OT), Oskar Manton (W’town), Matt Fewings (M), Michael Nicholls (OG).
Coach: Luke Mahoney.
Club legend – A Ajax, B Beaumaris, CG Caulfield Grammarians, DLS De La Salle, M Mazenod, MB Monash Blues, NB North Brunswick, OG Old Geelong, OT Old Trinity, SBMT St Bedes/Mentone Tigers, U UHS-VU, W Whitefriars, W’town Williamstown-CYMS.
Both matches will be streamed live on VAFA.com.au