Representative football: Joe Richards’ rise to AFL level proof interleague footy has its place

Pressure is building for the return of the Big V country football jumper after a country star made a big impression on debut for Collingwood.

A starring role on debut for Collingwood from Wangaratta’s Joe Richards has sparked calls for the Victorian Country Big V representative jumper to be resurrected.

Richards was drafted after a standout season in the Ovens & Murray league in 2022 that included a starring for the O&M interleague team that ignited interest from multiple AFL clubs.

Former VCFL coaches, including former Hawthorn champion Peter Knights, and league chiefs believe the Big V’s absence since 2019 is robbing other similarly talented country players from also impressing AFL recruiters.

Other states are back playing after Covid with Western Australia and South Australia country teams playing in Perth last year.

The Victorian Amateurs, a long-time opponent of the VCFL, will travel to Perth in July to play for the second year in a row.

Former Victorian Country coach Peter Knights.

“No representative footy is such a loss and so disappointing,” Knights said.

“It was a huge honour and thrill for those selected to firstly represent their club at interleague, then the chance to possibly represent Victoria Country the ultimate.

“For most it was the highest level of representative footy they got a chance to experience especially when the Australian Country Football Championships were held.

“To represent their club, league and state, wear the Big V country guernsey with pride against the best country footballers around the nation was a huge accolade.”

The O&M has been a major advocate for representative matches for decades and chairman David Sinclair said there was “no doubt” that Richards’ interleague exposure two years ago played a part in him getting drafted.

“Big V representation would provide another level of exposure and opportunity for these players who may otherwise slip through the cracks,” he said.

“Interleague and Big V footy all assist in shining a light on community football in an era that’s dominated by talent programs.

“It would be wonderful to see AFL Victoria get back on board and support a structured format.”

Former Wangaratta and O&M star Joe Richards made an impressive debut for Collingwood. Picture: Michael Willson

An obvious opponent for Victorian Country was Victorian Metro and to add further interest, the match-up could be played as a curtain-raiser to the AFL Country Match at the MCG.

Bob Craig coached the O&M to three successive country championship wins in the late 1990s with players such as Brett Kirk, who went onto play in a premiership with Sydney and also captain the Swans.

Craig also coached the VCFL for two years and backed the Big V’s return.

“AFL recruiters only take note of good players playing against good opposition,” he said.

“At the moment players are missing out on opportunities that are a step up from what they get Saturday to Saturday at their clubs.

“That chance to shine and test yourself against the best.

“There is also that standing of being a VCFL representative player that is missing presently.

“It certainly carried a bit of kudos.”

AFL Victoria chief Greg Madigan said it was open to a discussion about resurrecting a Big V match for open-age country players.

“Representative footy is a fantastic recognition and experience for anyone who is selected,” he said.

“But it’s important to understand why we would do it.

“We are talking to stakeholders across senior community football to gather views and feedback on the concept.

“From there if the why makes sense we can then discuss how it might come to life.”