Ballarat-Bendigo rivalry to reach fever pitch when local leagues meet in AFL Victoria Country Championships
LOCAL bragging rights will go on the line this weekend when the Ballarat Football League and Bendigo Football League face off.
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LOCAL bragging rights will go on the line this weekend when the Ballarat Football League and Bendigo Football League face off.
The competitions, which are ranked fifth and sixth in the state, will do battle at Eastern Oval on Saturday in the AFL Victoria Country Championships.
Shane Skontra’s Ballarat FL outfit will be out to redeem itself after a 65-point loss to the Goulburn Valley Football League last year.
Skontra said the league’s initial squad had been changed several times due to injuries and unavailabilities.
“With every interleague squad, you’ve got your initial squad then you come up against some injuries,” Skontra said.
“We’ve got to work out a balance where we pick a really competitive side.”
North Ballarat City’s Marcus Darmody and Darley’s Rhys Ellis are among the players who have withdrawn from the initial squad.
Skontra said the Ballarat FL was expecting their opponent, which beat Gippsland in last year’s championships, to bring a fierce intensity.
“My understanding is the Ballarat-Bendigo rivalry is a really good one,” he said.
“That happens with close towns, or close cities.
“It’s a great thing, it should draw a few through the gate and make for a great spectacle.
“They’ve got some quality players and this is what happens, interleague produces the best players.
“It’s going to be a really tight game.”
The winner of Saturday’s match will compete in the third against fourth match next year and move within one win of playing off to be crowned the state’s top country league.
“I think all the boys will be up for the occasion and that will be the same for Bendigo,” Skontra said.
“I expect it to be a good, physical tussle.
“Everyone is aware of the importance of winning the game (and) we’ll certainly be putting every effort into trying to come away with the win.”
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