The Bendigo region has joined the party this season with several high profile names having a run around.

Does this offer a fundraising opportunity for country football leagues?

Former Test cricketers generate great interest in their sport by touring Australia playing semi-serious games against local teams.

Flood-ravaged Rochester enjoyed such a match last year.

A good crowd turned out, local players enjoyed a great experience taking the field against Test greats, the ACA players helped raise money and a great time was had by all.

So would such a concept work with former AFL footballers?

Could a team of former AFL players such as Koutafidies, Akermanis, Simpson and Kingsley draw a crowd? Absolutely.

The annual EJ Whitten charity match shows the popularity of such events, but that’s in Melbourne.

Would a match featuring these past players taking on each other or a team from the region they were visiting, generate similar interest?

There’s no doubt it would but on first impression would be logistically harder to organise than the ACA cricket concept.

Still, food for thought given the success of these one-off showings and the dire need for initiatives to help country football clubs and leagues raise cash these days.