LW: Magpie, what did you make of the announcement this week that two games of VFL footy will be played on the QEO next year?
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
I can certainly understand why there would be some within the Bendigo Gold camp that feel this is a slap in the face.
We had our own VFL team here in the Gold, but not enough support given to keep it going.
Now four VFL clubs in Geelong, Collingwood, Essendon and Footscray are being shown the welcome mat for a pair of games next season.
For mine, it feels a bit like breaking up with your girlfriend and then asking her sister out straight away.
KA: When I first heard the news it was a little disappointing.
The fact is we had an elite football team here in Bendigo, but no-one was willing to sufficiently back them and because of that the Gold folded.
A piece of the region's sporting history has ended and now these top VFL clubs will be playing at the QEO, showing off what we don't have anymore.
It doesn't seem fair.
LW: The other side of the coin is that the Gold is gone and it ain't coming back, but at least Bendigo hasn't completely dropped off the radar in terms of attracting this level of football to the QEO.
We've got four big clubs coming up in Geelong and Collingwood on May 9 and Essendon and Footscray under lights on Friday, August 21.
Still, a couple of VFL games next year doesn't compensate for the opportunity that has been lost - an opportunity that has seen Gold forward Tyrone Downie go from working in the parks department with the City of Greater Bendigo to on the Gold Coast Suns' list.
KA: Of course on the flip side it is great to have top teams come to the city and play, we need more of it.
Central Victorian fans will get to see some talented players and two high quality games of footy.
But I am sure all involved with the Gold are thinking what could have been.
That pathway to the AFL through the VFL has been cut and stories like Downie's may not happen again in this region.
LW: Moving onto cricket, Magpie.
What an Adelaide Oval Test Match to remember for the Aussie trio of David Warner, Steve Smith and Michael Clarke, who honoured their great mate Phillip Hughes with centuries.
Loved the moment of Smith on Wednesday walking over to the 408 painted on the ground when he got his ton, and as for Clarke, what more can you say about him?
He showed amazing leadership throughout the most toughest of adversity in the wake of Hughes' death.
To carry all those emotions into the first Test against India, then battle through the pain of his back injury and score a ton was an amazing display of courage and character from the Aussie skipper.
KA: I'm not sure if I would be able to go out there and lead a team with so much composure.
Under normal circumstances he might not have played the First Test due to ongoing injury issues, but as Clarke has for the past two weeks, he stood tall.
No one would have blamed him or any of the other Australians for pulling out of the match, but they have been able to play on. This Test will be long remembered.
