THE Bendigo Gold trained on the QEO for the final time on Wednesday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Coach Aussie Jones put his squad through a sharp one hour session ahead of Friday night’s final VFL match against Collingwood.
The players have kept a positive frame of mind since the decision was made for the club to fold at the end of this season and Wednesday night was no different.
“We really want to have a good crack at it on Friday night and make sure we finish on a good note,’’ Gold midfielder Jake Aarts said.
“This is the last time we are all going to play together, so we want to give it everything.”
With Collingwood’s AFL list decimated by injury, the Magpies’ VFL squad will be depleted for Friday night’s game.
Gold assistant coach Daniel Schmidt dared to dream of a fairytale finish.
“If the boys can play like they did for the second half of last week’s game against Box Hill then there’s no reason why we won’t give it a real good shake,’’ he said.
A loyal group of supporters gathered in front of the Gold’s clubrooms to watch the club’s last training session.
First-year members Peter and Shane Cole braved the chilly conditions.
“It’s a real shame the club is folding… it’s going to leave a hole in Bendigo footy,’’ Peter Cole said.
“Back when the Diggers first started I was involved with Kangaroo Flat and I probably didn’t like the concept, but as the years have gone on I changed my mind.
“I would have loved to see the Gold continue. It’s been great being able to come to the QEO to watch VFL footy.
“Watching the Gold lose those close games to Northern Blues and Casey Scorpions this year hurt as much as any football loss I’ve been involved in.”
Peter and Shane, long-time Collingwood members, won’t be wearing their black and white jumpers to the QEO on Friday night.
“Even though they’re playing Collingwood, I’ll be barracking for the Gold,’’ Shane said.
At the conclusion of the Gold's training session, Jones and 12 players took part in the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise money for motor neuron disease.