Aussie Jones
THE Bendigo Gold will give up to 10 Bendigo Football League players a taste of the next level in an intra-club match next week.
The Gold will play a full-scale intra-club match at the Huntly-Epsom Reserve from 6pm on Thursday as part of their build-up to the VFL season, with the club looking for as many as 10 BFL players to also play.
“It’s going to be our main hit-out before we start our practice matches, but we need eight to 10 players from the BFL who want to get a bit of a taste of it,” Gold coach Aussie Jones said yesterday.
“There might be some players out there who haven’t considered us this season, but might be interested to have a look at the standard in preparation for years to come.”
Jones said the Gold were not using the invitation to the BFL players as a way of trying to land a late recruit.
The Gold have filled 33 of the 36 positions on their list, with the last three spots left swinging and eight players who have been training with the club vying for them.
“At this stage we’ve got 33 and there’s eight guys looking at those last three spots, but we won’t contract them unless they are definitely going to play,” Jones said.
“We’ll leave those three spots open until blokes go back to their home club and play good footy, or play well in our first couple of practice matches.
“These are guys who have done the pre-season with us, so if they stand out during games we’ll give them a contract.”
Those interested in playing in the intra-club match need to email Jones at austinn@bendigofc.com.au by the close of business Tuesday.
Bendigo’s first practice match will be against Essendon at Windy Hill on Friday, March 15, at 6.30pm.
The Gold and Bombers will also meet in the opening round of the season at the QEO on Friday, April 5, from 6.30pm.