South Bendigo vice-president Trevor Forbes, who has led the push for the Bloods to talk with Strathfieldsaye, yesterday labelled the club’s training situation as “ridiculous’’.

With South Bendigo’s home ground the QEO out of action as a training base, the Bloods, after tonight, will have trained at three different grounds this week.

“We trained at Weeroona Oval on Monday, Huntly on Wednesday and Friday we’re at Spring Gully,’’ Forbes told The Advertiser yesterday.

“As for next week, we’ll train at Weeroona or Spring Gully on Monday, but after that we have no idea.

“It’s just ridiculous . . . we’re a major league club. To shift training venues night to night causes a lot of problems as far as letting players and trainers know.

“What people don’t realise is that summer is even worse.

“ In the summer, we trained at Shadforth Park (rugby and soccer field), Spring Gully and did a lot of running in the bush.

“Not having a training base makes it very hard for our coach (Rick Coburn) to plot a training schedule.

“Not having a consistent training venue highlights our problems and there is an obvious answer.’’The obvious answer Forbes is referring to is Strathfieldsaye - which is on the verge of becoming the BFL’s 10th team in 2009.

Forbes fears for South Bendigo’s long-term future, with the club struggling off the field and he sees merger talks with Strathfieldsaye as the best way forward.

Strathfieldsaye, which earlier this week announced Strathfieldsaye IGA as its major sponsor, is now in the process of recruiting at least 60 players for its inaugural season next year.

A South Bendigo committee meeting on August 5 will determine whether the South Bendigo-Strathfieldsaye debate is laid to rest for good.

“As it sits, it’s up to those people, duly elected committee members, to determine whether or not South Bendigo seeks discussions with Strathfieldsaye, with the assistance of the VCFL,’’ Forbes said.

“The only thing we’ll be voting on is whether we should open discussions. It’s not a vote to say we’re hellbent on going to Strathfieldsaye.

“I’m encouraged by the fact that Strathfieldsaye has indicated it would be happy to talk to the Bendigo Bombers.

“But for now the ball is in South Bendigo’s court.

“We can offer what Strathfieldsaye lacks and they can offer what we lack. Unless people are willing to talk, no progress can be made.’’

Forbes said the VCFL had indicated to him it would convene discussions with Strathfieldsaye if contacted by South Bendigo.