BY NATHAN DOLE
A FIVE-YEAR break for the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League from representative matches ends this Saturday at Brighton’s Elsternwick Park.
The blue and gold colours and poppet head which mark Bendigo’s rich goldfields history return to the inter-league arena.
A clash between the Bendigo FNL and Victorian Amateur Football Association will be Bendigo’s first inter-league match since 2019.
Regional general manager for AFL Central Victoria, Cameron Tomlins said the Bendigo FNL had a proud history in inter-league matches.
“The Bendigo FNL is excited and thrilled at the return of senior representative football at Elsternwick Park to play against the highly regarded VAFA representative team,” Tomlins said.
The match starts at 2.10pm with the VAFA represented by players from Premier B down to division three.
Action kicks off at 11.40am with the Holmesglen VAFA Under-19 Showcase as North takes on South.
“The BFNL hold representative programs in high regard and has a long and successful inter-league history.”
Bendigo was runner-up to Ovens and Murray in the Victorian Country Football League division one championship played in 1954 in Ballarat.
The first of three VCFL championship wins for Bendigo was in 1962 against Wimmera in Horsham.
Two of the best coaches in inter-league history were the late John Ledwidge and Neville Strauch who are both in the Bendigo FNL Hall of Fame.
In 1972 it was the John Ledwidge-coached team which was VCFL champions.
The late 80s and early 90s when Neville Strauch was in charge was a golden era for Bendigo.
The league was runner-up to Geelong in ’88, was champion against Geelong in ’89, and runner-up to Latrobe Valley in 1990.
The Strauch family links to inter-league are still going as Neville’s grandson Tom was in the training squad for this Saturday’s match.
Dean Strauch, Tom’s dad was an outstanding player at inter-league level and for Golden Square.
Another famous face in the Strauch family is Jenna who is preparing for a second Olympics swimming campaign.
Just as Jenna has earnt a chance to represent her country, there will be 22 of the Bendigo FNL’s best in action this Saturday in Brighton.
“We are rapt about the return of rep footy in 2024 and providing opportunities for our best players to play at the highest standard possible,” Tomlins said.
Bendigo’s most recent inter-league hit-out was in 2019 when it beat AFL Outer East at Bendigo’s Queen Elizabeth Oval by 99 points in the AFL Victoria Community Championships clash.
Best in that match were Golden Square’s Jake Thrum and Jack Geary, South Bendigo’s Nathan Horbury, Sandhurst’s Bryce Curnow, Golden Square’s Liam Barrett, and Gisborne’s Pat McKenna.
After last year’s premiership victory, Thrum and Geary have taken up playing coach roles at Irymple and Cohuna Kangas.
Horbury headed north to play with Noosa Tigers, and Barrett is now playing for Moama.
Curnow and McKenna are still with the Dragons and Bulldogs respectively.
Sport was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic impacted the leagues’ ability to return to the representative arena in a sustainable manner,” Tomlins said.
“Through a mutual connection the BFNL and VAFA were introduced and immediately established a like-minded approach to the value of inter-league participation.
“The BFNL board remain fully committed to invest in such programs offering opportunities for players, coaches, and umpires at the highest level possible.
“The matches also showcase the incredible depth of football and netball talent within our league.”
Tomlins said this Saturday’s match will be the first in building a new rivalry.
Bendigo will host the VAFA in a return match at the QEO in 2025.