CLUB NEWS

A new look Marong were just too strong at home against YCW with a classy 72 point win. Marong led by 38 points at half time and lead by 56 points at the last break. Sam Milner kicked 5 goals for the panthers.

The Bears won by 26 points against a determined Mitiamo. Alex Chapman starred for the Roos with 11 goals and Maxted had 4 for the Bears. The Bears led by 10 at quater time and 12 at half time.

Newbridge were way too strong for Bridgewater with a 122 point victory. Holland kicked nine for the maroons and Bridgewater battled all day but just couldnt match the power and skill of Newbridge.

A rebuilding Inglewood were absolutely murdered by Pyramid Hill by 268 points. I think they will be replacing Dunolly at the bottom this season as this is the first of many thrashings this season for the Blues. Gilchrist kicket 10 and Morris kicked 9 for the Bulldogs. Cant judge the Bulldogs until they play quality opposition.

Dunolly will be having a meeting with the LVFL, the MCDFL and the VCFL tonight to hopefully get the clubbed transferred to the MCDFL. Due to the travel Dunolly only have 12 players who will play in the LVFL compared to at least 30 if the club was in the MCDFL. The LVFL are more than happy for Dunolly to go to the MCDFL to ensure the clubs survival because if the club goes into recess it will be hard to come back from.

The LVFL will now be down to 9 teams and will have a bye. I must congratulate the way the LVFL have handled this as they are disadvantaged but they realise the bigger picture and the better option for football in general.

I dont know what happened to the Co-Coaches in the last message but Inglewood have signed Mark Hayes as their coach for 2004. Mark played for Golden Square and is looking forward to helping rebuild the club which had a mass exodus of players in the off season. Mark thinks it will take a couple of years to rebuild the club.

After nearly making the LVFL 2003 grand final Inglewood have faced a mass exodus of players over the off season and are struggling to get the numbers to fill their quota of sides. Anyone interested in playing please contact the Inglewood Football Club as I would hate to see any clubs fold or merge.

All Loddon Valley Football League coaching positions for this season have been filled following the appointment of Denis Grinton and Deon Marks as co-coaches of Inglewood. Grinton and Marks were both members of last seasons Inglewood team that bowed out in the preliminary final and take over from Kieran Byrne.

Grinton 30, is a former Northern United premiership player while Marks 30, played in South Bendigos back to back premierships in 1993-94. "Weve gone with the co-coaches to share the load," Grinton said.

"In the past, dual coaches havent worked well anywhere, although Mitiamo won a premiership with them, but Deon and I have the same thoughts on a lot of things and we get along well."

The LVFL has released its draft fixture for this season. The draft fixture is expected to be ratified at the league meeting on January 19. The LVFL won the VCFL award for the best district league football program for its El-Vee publication last year.

Loddon Valley Football League secretary Russell McGibbon says the leagues search for a president and treasurer is not becoming desperate. The league is on the hunt for a president following the resignation of Bill Higgs at the annual general meeting in mid November last year, while Ken Hynes has resigned from the secretary's role after 10 years in the job.

The LVFL clubs were asked to nominate candidates for the presidency. However, no suggestions were put forward to the board. "Were looking for someone with a passion for football and they dont have to be associated with the LVFL, it can be someone from completely outside," McGibbon said.

To apply for the positions, address an application to: Loddon Valley Football League secretary, 3 Orana Court, Bendigo.

The Bridgewater Football-Netball Club will have three local products in charge of its football teams this season. Andrew Ferguson (Seniors), Adam Harrison (Reserves) and Graeme Fishlock (Under 17's) are all locals to Bridgewater and will be at the helm of the Mean Machine's three football teams in the Loddon Valley Football League this season.

Ferguson returns to Bridgewater after a two year stint as coach of Lucindale in the Kowree-Naracoorte-Tatiara Football League in South Australia. He led Lucindale to finals appearences in his two years at the club and was named the leagues coach of the year in 2002. "I grew up in Bridgewater, my mates are still there and I had the opportunity to coach, so I took it," Ferguson said.

Bridgewater finished second last on the LVFL ladder last season, winning two games and losing 16. "Getting our young, local players back will play a big part in ressurecting the side," Ferguson said. The club will start pre season training on January 18 at 11am at the Bridgewater recreation Reserve. "It will be fairly intense, we've got to get the players a bit more fit than perhaps they were last year." Bridgewater will hold a meet the coach this Sunday at the Crook St park in Strathdale.

Reappointed Newbridge coach Tony Graham believes the key to improving on his side's fifth position in season 2003 is bolstering it's midfield stocks. Graham will again be in charge of Newbridge in the Loddon Valley Football League in 2004.

Newbridge was bundled out of last years finals series in the elimination final when beaten by Bears-Lagoon Serpentine by 45 points. "We've kept the majority of our players, which was our first aim, and we're working on recruiting," Graham said yesterday.

Newbridge has signed former Castlemaine premiership player Scott Baxter as an assistant coach. "We'll be looking to bolster our midfield because we have plenty of talls. Scott is a midfielder and will be vitally important," Graham said.

Baxter will be a handy acquisition to Newbridge. He won the North Central Football League best and fairest with Birchip in 2001. Newbridge has also lured ruckman Adam Doyle, midfielder Jamie Allan and Luke Dyer back to the club. Newbridges last senior premiership was in 2000.

1. What were your reasons for coming to coach YCW in the LVFL after a great season with Eaglehawk in the BFL?

I thoroughly enjoy coaching and was on the lookout for an opportunity tocoach in the local area, but not against EFC. This ruled out the BFL,and Eaglehawk had already reappointed Derrick Filo, so the LVFL and the

HDFL were the obvious choices. I also feel I still have a lot to offer as a player but realised that EFC had pigeon-holed me as a full backand I have always been either a half back or on-baller but due to my age was

3. After a some what disappointing season last year for YCW, what are your expectations for season 2004?

I just hope that each player at YCW wants to lift the seniors. I will do all I can to build on the success of the reserves side and the existing player base from 2003, hopefully presenting each individual with the chance to get the most out of themselves as a player. If I can do this, the team results will take care of themselves.

4. Over the next few months it will be a busy time for all clubs in the recruiting area, what kind of players will you be looking to bring to the club.

Players who are at YCW for the right reasons. We are still in the hunt for a playing assistant coach and skills coach. These two positions offer two footballers the chance to gain some coaching experience, perhaps with the aim of coaching senior football in the future. YCW will target taller players, but ultimately will consider any footballer interested in having a crack for the club. Our door is always open.

5. Is it hard to attract bigger name players to YCW considering you have Golden Square and Kangaroo Flat within 5 minutes either way.

I don't believe that it is the locality of the Bendigo League clubs that draw away players. On the contrary, footballers who find the LVFL more suited to their football careers, such as players with nothing to prove

in the Bendigo League, or those looking for a family orientated club, will be drawn to YCW because of its Golden Square location and fantastic facilities/atmosphere.

6. With having experience with various country football leagues, do you see yourself as hopefully a long term coach at YCW? What are your own personal ambitions for the future?

Being a playing coach is very rewarding (and sometimes frustrating) but also time consuming. I am able to coach YCW in 2004 because family life currently allows it. Future years and future decisions will be made

taking into account job and home commitments. Obviously, family and work come first but I would like to continue to build a coaching career.

1. After the disappointment of last season, do you feel the club has to bring in some key position players and if so have you found anyone that fits the bill?

Even though last season was the first in ten years that our seniors didn't make the finals i wouldn't say it was a disappointment. To have 4 sides (3 netball and 1 football) represent our club on Grand Final day and the C

grade netballers winning the grand final was something to be proud of. Our coaches Scott (seniors) and Leigh (reserves) along with the committee are actively out there recruiting and whilst to early to name names are hopeful of topping up our playing list with some quality recruits.

Scott has an impressive football and coaching resume' with, coaching a premiership at Shepparton in '93, GVFL representative in'93/'94, premiership player at Ainslie in '96, Bendigo Diggers in '98 and senior player at EagleHawk '99-'03.

3. YCW had big problems fielding an Under 17's team last season. Do you think the club will have the numbers next season?

With the appointment of Daryl Green as U17's coach we are confident of retaining players from last year and adding to those numbers this year. Daryl played in our reserves side last year and has coached in the BJFL for

4. As a supporter I find the finals great but annoying with the rotation of grounds for each final? What are your thoughts on that?

With the LVFL taking in such a big area it is difficult to find a central and neutral ground to stage finals at. It is an issue that has been raised at the delegates meeting and one that doesn't have an easy solution. The current system is about as equitable to all clubs as you could get.

5. As the only LVFL club in Bendigo, how hard is it to recruit players considering there is the BFL and HDFL?

Marong are another LVFL club in Bendigo and like all clubs trying to field sides year after year out of the Bendigo and surrounding districts it's hard work.

6. After last season, where do you expect the seniors to finish next season?

It would be nice to think that we will find ourselves playing finals football again this year and come the end of the season have a shot at the premiership.

7. In these tough times with insurance and public liability, how hard is it to keep a local sports club going?

Insurance and public liability are but a few of the external factors that present sporting clubs with a challenge to keep going, but in the end the challenge is what draws people and volunteers to have a go.

YCW president Greg Murley has agreed to send up to date information on info relating to YCW. They are the first club to contact me relating to the website. This is great news for LVFL fans in general and especially YCW supporters. I hope to have an interview with Greg Murley in the next couple of days to post here in CLUB NEWS!