As a player, club coach and inter-league coach, Brett Fitzpatrick has watched some of the greats in Bendigo football over the best part of four decades.
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Fitzpatrick played for Castlemaine from 1980-82 before moving to Melbourne for stints with VFL club Fitzroy and VFA club Port Melbourne.
He returned to the BFNL with Kennington in the early 1990s before going back to Camp Reserve to play out his career.
He later coached the Magpies and Sandhurst and was a successful coach in inter-league football with the BFNL.
"It was a hard task to cut this down to 10. There's been so many great players in Bendigo footy over the years,'' Fitzpatrick said.
"I missed a big chunk of the 1980s, so there's a number of great players from that era that I've left out just because I didn't get to see them enough."
From the time he's spent in the BFNL, here's Fitzpatrick's top 10 players he's played with and/or against and coached.
1980s
GREG WILLIAMS (Golden Square)
Two-time Michelsen Medal winner with Golden Square before becoming one of the VFl/AFL all-time greats. Brownlow Medal winner twice, premiership player and Norm Smith Medal winner headline a plethora of career highlights.
Fitzpatrick says: "He won the footy, controlled where the ball went and gave direction with it.
"As much as he accumulated the ball himself, he made the players around him much better.
"When he put his body over the ball you couldn't move him. His hands were amazing and everyone knows how good his skills were."
MICK LENAGHAN (Sandhurst)
Four premierships and a Michelsen Medal in the BFNL before playing 22 VFL games with Geelong between 1984 and 1986.
Fitzpatrick says: "He was a brilliant running midfielder that could cover ground so well.
"I was a midfielder back then and I'd get sick of chasing him up and down the QEO. I couldn't get near him.
"He could accumulate the ball and he was pretty handy with his disposal of the ball as well."
PETER ROHDE (Sandhurst)
After being recruited from Sandhurst, Rohde went on to play 162 VFL/AFL games with Carlton and Melbourne between 1985 and 1995.
Fitzpatrick says: "He was only a youngster back then playing across half-back.
"He'd just float across packs and take intercept marks and you'd wonder where he'd come from. It wasn't until you played a rep game with him that you realised just how good he was.
"He was such a quality player."
1990s
DERRICK FILO (Castlemaine, Kyneton, Kangaroo Flat, Eaglehawk)
Nothing he didn't achieve in a Bendigo football career spanning more than 400 senior games - premiership player, coach, Michelsen Medal winner and premier inter-league player of his generation.
Fitzpatrick says: "Even when he was older at Eaglehawk, his football was unbelievable and his on-field leadership was brilliant.
"He could have 35 touches, kick goals, take marks overhead, kick brilliantly with both feet. He was a match-winner. He played his best footy at Castlemaine, but probably got more consistent as he got older.
"He had everything and probably should have played league footy."
STEVEN OLIVER (Castlemaine)
More than 1000 career goals, two flags with the Magpies and a stint with Carlton in the AFL. One of the BFNL's all-time greats.
Fitzpatrick says: "Even when he had two or three players on him we'd kick the ball to him.
"Clearly, the best full-forward I've seen in Bendigo footy.
"It didn't matter how far out he was, or what angle he was on, he'd kick the goal.
"He'd take marks on opponents' heads. He was a freak."
JAMIE BOND (Maryborough)
Arguably Maryborough's greatest player since joining the Bendigo league. Michelsen Medal winner and two flags in a brilliant career.
Fitzpatrick says: "He was an old school centre half-forward, but he was more mobile.
"He was very intimidating and a very good footballer to with it.
"Great mark, long kick and he'd always stand up on the big days."
2000-2020
MATT FITZGERALD (Gisborne)
Two-time Michelsen Medal winner and premiership hero of the Bulldogs. Premier rover in the BFNL for much of his career.
Fitzpatrick says: "Such a prolific ball winner and he'd never play bad games.
"You'd think he'd have no chance of winning the ball and all of a sudden he'd burst out of a pack and hit a team-mate on the chest down the ground.
"He'd get plenty of attention (from taggers), but the more attention he got the better he played."
LUKE SAUNDERS (Gisborne)
Pound for pound the best footballer in the BFNL for much of 2002-2012. Fearless, great hands and could play anywhere. Multiple premierships and Michael Medal.
Fitzpatrick says: "Just an unbelievable footballer.
"His courage and attack on the ball was complimented by a fantastic level of skills.
"He was a delight to watch."
TIM MARTIN (Sandhurst)
Back-to-back Michelsen Medal wins, premiership player and widely-regarded as the best ruckman of the past decade.
Fitzpatrick says: "The traditional ruckman is a disappearing act these days, but his ability to give direction, be authoritive and ability to apply himself to whatever was required was a nice addition to his football ability.
"His marking and ruck contests were first-class."
JACK GEARY (Golden Square)
Outstanding midfielder or half-back with five premierships, one Michelsen Medal and Victoria Country captaincy headlining a standout career.
Fitzpatrick says: "You look at his profile and there's nothing he hasn't done.
"He's professional in the way he goes about it, he applies himself, he gets the job done and doesn't look for recognition.
"Each level he's stepped up to he's performed. As an opposing coach he was a pain in the backside. He never went to ground, he'd hurt you with his kicking and he'd run as hard in the last quarter as he did in the first quarter."
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