Aside from the addition two years ago of clubs being allowed to play one “marquee” player and the original knockout format being changed to a round-robin, the BDCA Twenty20 product has remained similar since its inception in 2008-09.

I wouldn’t say the Twenty20 competition is stale because it still attracts decent crowds on a Tuesday night, but here’s an idea in conjunction with Miggy Podosky to give it a bit of freshen up.

Could the BDCA Twenty20 competition follow in the footsteps of the successful Big Bash?

Rather than the 10 BDCA clubs fielding a side, cut it down to five teams.

In place of the privately-owned teams of the Big Bash, the Bendigo teams could instead be sponsored by local businesses.

For instance, you could have the Bendigo Advertiser Bandits, the Bicknells Bears, the Sportspower Scorpions, the Gillies Goannas, Bendigo Bank Bucks, Brougham Arms Bulls… you get my drift.

Perhaps some retired greats of the BDCA could be enticed to take on a playing coach role for each team, with names like Phil Hetherington, Tony Taig (pictured), Neil Williams, Mark Keck, John Neylon and Matt and Chris Pinniger immediately springing to mind.

Each team could be aligned to a community organisation, whereby money could be donated to that organisation for every six hit, for instance.

By cutting the competition down to five teams, what it does is give more of an All-Star feel to it in that the number of players required is halved. Each team could be laden with “big-name” stars.

One of the most entertaining nights of the concept could be well before a ball is bowled – Draft Night.

All players who wish to play – and perhaps it could be open to Emu Valley, Northern United, Upper Loddon and Castlemaine cricketers as well – nominate themselves for the draft.

A draft night could be held a couple of weeks into the cricket season to allow for some exposed form, before each team has to select 14 players.

I can just see it now. The coach of the team with selection one on stage at The Kangaroo Flat Sports Club announcing: “With the first pick of the draft, the Bendigo Advertiser Bandits select…”

The No.1 draftee then makes his way to the stage amid a flurry of camera flashes to be presented his playing top by the coach.

With players divided up via a draft, it allows for the unique situation of usual team-mates facing off against each other…. Miggy Podosky bowling bouncers at Heath Behrens; Cameron Taylor and Ben DeAraugo pitting their skills against each other; Brayden Stepien trying to crunch Rhys Irwin for six; brothers Ben and Cory Devanny sledging each other.

I’m sure the players would enjoy the chance to be involved in a different cricket environment with new team-mates, even if only for a few games.

To keep Twenty20 as a format for giving young players an opportunity, there could be a stipulation that each team must have at least four teenagers on their roster.

And each team can still go out and select the marquee player of their choice.

If you know Ricky Ponting and can entice him to play in your team, good luck.

As far as fixturing, play the competition over five Sundays throughout the season – double-headers at the QEO while one team has the bye – and finish it off with a party atmosphere 1 v 2 final on Australia Day.

As for the prizemoney for winning the tournament, split it three ways between the premier's aligned community organisation, the players (to give them a bit of added incentive to perform) and the team's sponsor.