AFTER a lapse of 14 years, the Bendigo Football League’s Hall of Fame will finally be revived with a gala function later this year.
But it won’t be just the great BFL players of years gone by who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the October 29 function at the All Seasons Quality Resort.
Coaches, administrators, umpires, media personalities and volunteers are also eligible to be nominated for the Hall of Fame.
Previously, there have been two BFL Hall of Fame inductions.
The first was in 1986 when 20 players were inducted.
The second was 10 years later in 1996 when a further 12 players were selected.
The list of 38 Hall of Fame members reads like a who’s who of Bendigo football, with names such as Graham Arthur, Ron Best, Peter Pianto, Colin Rice, Tony Southcombe, Greg Williams, Alan Martin and Frank Crapper among the illustrious company.
For this year’s third induction – which will be part of the BFL’s Project 130 – a selection panel of six members has been appointed.
The Hall of Fame committee chairman is BFL board member Andrew Jakubans, with the selectors to also comprise Richard Jones, Bill Bonney, Peter Tyack, Mick Chalkley and Bert McIvor.
With so many icons of Bendigo football worthy of entry into the Hall of Fame, it promises to be a difficult time ahead for the committee in determining who makes the cut.
“It’s important we don’t lower the standards of getting into the Hall of Fame,’’ committee member Bonney, who was part of the 1996 induction, said this week.
“It’s very important that we continue to hold up the standards of those people who have already been selected in the Hall of Fame.
“It’s not going to be an easy process, but having a look over some of the nominations we’ve already received, there are some fantastic blokes who have some great records.’’
Asked what the committee was looking for in selecting this year’s Hall of Fame members, Bonney said: “Really, we’re looking for service to Bendigo footy... that’s what it’s about.
“We’re obviously looking at playing ability, but also other things such as how they have served their club or the league as an administrator.’’
Bonney’s induction into the Hall of Fame in 1996 came after his stellar career with Golden Square, but also his service to the league.
The 1996 BFL Hall of Fame booklet says of Bonney: “His determination to succeed is best illustrated for an incident in his first season with Golden Square back in 1959.
“Bonney had the misfortune to break his right leg in a work-related incident. Being a natural right-footer, he taught himself to become an actual left-footer to enhance his kicking ability.’’
Throughout the 1960s, Bonney was regarded as one of the best key position defenders in the BFL.
“Whether at centre half-back or full-back, he played the game strong and hard, but very fair and his straight-ahead style of play earned him great respect from teammates and opponents alike,’’ the 1996 Hall of Fame booklet says.
Bonney – who attracted interest from VFL clubs Carlton and Geelong – played 194 games for the Bulldogs before retiring in 1968.
He played in the Bulldogs’ back-to-back premiership teams of 1964 and 1965, while he was later appointed coach of Golden Square in 1970.
In 1972 Bonney took what was described as “a mob of local kids’’ to a 21-point grand final win over South Bendigo.
After his playing and coaching days finished, Bonney was lured to the BFL board in the early ’80s by Bendigo’s ‘‘Mr Football’’, Dick Turner.
Following the legendary Turner’s death, Bonney served as chairman from 1983 to 1989, before seven years later being recognised for his outstanding service to the BFL with his Hall of Fame induction.
“It’s one of my proudest moments in footy to have been selected in the Hall of Fame,’’ Bonney said.
Nominations for the BFL Hall of Fame close on August 18. They must be submitted to the BFL at PO Box 415, Golden Square, 3555.
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