CLUB v COUNTRY
PLAY for their home club or Vic Country? It’s the dilemma facing 13 of the Geelong Football League’s brightest stars, who remain in contention to wear the Big V.
COACH Danny Frawley says Geelong’s Vic Country hopefuls can control their destiny as they choose between club and state representation.
In a fixture bungle, the GFL will resume next week after a bye, clashing with the annual state match between Vic Country and the Victorian Amateur Football League.
It means up to 13 GFL players must decide whether to line up for their club or state on July 13.
“It’s their call in the end — and I totally understand it,” said Frawley, who will coach Vic Country for a second year.
“I don’t know how it happened. I can’t give you a reason, but I’m led to believe Geelong always has a bye — and rightly so, because it’s the strongest comp — but it’s not on the same weekend as the game.
“I just can’t put my finger on it. I was as surprised as anyone else when that happened. Maybe it was due to ground availability, I don’t know.
“That’s probably one for AFL Victoria (to explain), but it’s a bit disappointing.”
With South Barwon’s Louis Herbert (injury) and Colac’s Lochie Veale (suspension) out of the squad, a further 13 players will press for selection.
St Joseph’s Brenton Rees, Cam Tudor, Curtis McCarthy and Riley Ferguson must weigh up whether to pull on the Big V or play in the anticipated Round 12 clash against Newtown & Chilwell, which has Matt McMahon and Alex Cincotta in state contention.
Star Colac duo Jonathan Simpkin and Jarryn McCormack can line up against Lara or the VAFA, Leopold’s Marcus Thompson and Bell Park’s Nik Rokahr are set to be missing from their team’s encounter at Hamlyn Park, Grovedale’s Cam Delaney and South Barwon’s Andrew Boseley are likely to be out of the match at McDonald Reserve and St Albans ruckman Sam Michael is a good chance not to line up against St Mary’s.
“They’re all pretty keen (to play for Vic Country), but I’ve said to them, ‘It’s your decision’,” Frawley said.
“They’re loyal to their clubs, let’s be brutally honest, but it’s a great opportunity to represent your state.
“I would have thought this game, with what the VAFA are rolling out and with what we’ve been able to put together, would just about beat a VFL team this year.
“That’s the standard. And I’ve said to the guys, you’ve got a great opportunity this year.
“I’ve done a lot of work behind the scenes to get players to play and we’ve got a very strong contingent.”
After the squad’s second training session at Harry Trott Oval in Albert Park on Sunday, Frawley is poised to wield the axe.
“We’re going to start culling guys after the weekend,” said the coach, who has already trimmed the initial squad from 58 to 40.
“There’s no point cutting players now when we’ve got another round of footy on the weekend.
“Because, in the past, we’ve culled a few and then we’ve had to call them up again and I don’t want that to happen.
“We lost six of our best 10 players in the last round last year.”