Bendigo Bombers say no to pursuing Fevola

By Adam Bourke
Updated November 7 2012 - 4:34am, first published February 21 2011 - 10:42am
HIT-OUT: Tom Campbell wins this contest in the Bendigo Bombers training run at Heathcote's Barrack Reserve. Picture: JIM ALDERSEY
HIT-OUT: Tom Campbell wins this contest in the Bendigo Bombers training run at Heathcote's Barrack Reserve. Picture: JIM ALDERSEY

THE Bendigo Bank Bombers have ruled out chasing embattled former AFL star Brendan Fevola.The enigmatic full-forward is in football limbo after he was officially sacked by the Brisbane Lions on Sunday night.Fevola has indicated he wants to continue to play football in a bid to regain a berth on an AFL list next year.However, a lifeline for Fevola won’t come from Bendigo’s Victorian Football League club.“We won’t look at Brendan,’’ Bombers coach Shannon Grant said yesterday.“We’ve pretty much finalised our list for this year and we’re keen to give those guys a chance.“We’ve signed two key forwards in Matt Little, from Williamstown, and Justin Maddern, from the Bendigo league, and we’re keen to give them every opportunity we can this year.“Brendan’s not an option for us.”Fevola is one of the most decorated fowards in modern times having played 204 AFL games, kicking 623 goals and winning the John Coleman Medal twice.The Bombers’ preparation for the 2011 VFL season went up a gear last Saturday with a training day at La Trobe University and at Barrack Reserve in Heathcote.Grant was impressed with how his young squad handled the day.Grant was impressed with how his young squad handled the day.“It was a long day for the boys, but considering what we had to get through they did well,’’ he said.“We went though a lot of our structures and plans in the morning at La Trobe University in Bendigo and then put it into practice at Heathcote in the afternoon.“We worked on the brand of footy we want to play and positioning and we’ll continue to work on those in our practice matches in the next month.”Despite losing a wealth of experience in the off-season, Grant is confident the Bombers squad will be more than competitive this season.“We’ve made a big effort to make sure some of the younger guys are fitter and stronger this year,’’ he said.“We’ve got a new list and a young group, but the work these guys have put in, and will continue to put in, should have them in good stead for the season proper.“We have a lot more depth this year and we have a more balanced list than what we had last year.“Last year we had some gaps on our list that we struggled to cover, but we’ve been able to do that this year. We may be inexperienced, but I’m sure we’ll be a competitive group.”The Bombers first practice match is this Friday against Collingwood at Gosch’s Paddock at 4pm.

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