Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
THE Bendigo Football-Netball League’s two returning players from the AFL are both interested in being part of the Blue and Gold team to take on Outer East at the QEO next year.
Gisborne’s Pat McKenna and Maryborough’s Stewart Crameri are both re-joining the BFNL as forwards straight off AFL lists.
The BFNL is scheduled to play the newly-formed Outer East on May 18 next year in the 9 v 10 game in the AFL Victoria Community Championships.
“I’d definitely be keen to play if I’ve been able to get through the first few rounds and I’m feeling good,” McKenna said on Thursday.
“At this stage I’d be keen to put my hand up and help us try to get up the rankings.”
McKenna has rejoined Gisborne after two seasons at the GWS Giants and two with Melbourne.
Before he was drafted by the Giants in 2014, McKenna starred for the BFNL under-18 team in its 2013 inter-league win over Ballarat, booting six goals.
“If the league can get somewhere close to its best team out there then I’m sure it would show it’s a lot better than being No.10 in the rankings,” McKenna said.
“Now that I’m back playing locally I’ll be looking for any opportunities to play and get better and inter-league is obviously one of those opportunities.”
Crameri, 30, is back at Maryborough following nine seasons in the AFL and 103 games with Essendon (57), the Western Bulldogs (42) and Geelong (4).
As a teenager in his second season of senior football at Maryborough in 2006 Crameri was part of the Bendigo league team coached by Brett Fitzpatrick that won the Pool C Country Championships title at Barooga.
“Without knowing too many details about it, at this stage I’d say I’d definitely think about it and be a chance because I’ll be up and running by then,” Crameri said.
“I’d be happy to have a talk with the coach about it.”
Darryl Wilson has been appointed the BFNL’s inter-league coach.
Wilson – who plans to name an initial squad early in the new year – previously coached Crameri in the reserves at the Bendigo Bombers in 2007.
Bendigo has lost its past two inter-league matches.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.