BFL v GDFL: WILL STARS ALIGN?
FOR as long as Reece Holwell can remember, a BFL and GDFL interleague clash has been on everyone’s wishlist.
Since that game has been locked in, the Thomson premiership coach’s phone has been going wild, with players putting their hands up to be involved.
However, doubt hovers over whether the Bellarine’s best will make themselves available for the defining clash.
Veterans Josh Finch and Mitch Herbison would have no hesitation in putting their hands up, but Finch said players would have to buy in to defeat the GDFL.
“The thing that I’ve noticed over the last 10 years, it’s one thing to pick a squad but then you’ve got to get the guys to buy in as well,” he said.
“Obviously the best side on paper is very luxurious; it’s an elite team, but it’s a matter of getting them to buy in.”
In Holwell’s words, “if you talk to anyone around the area, they’ll say they (the BFL) will go into it as favourites”, but he knows there will be buy in from GDFL players.
“It won’t be an issue with guys putting their hand up this year; it (a BFL v GDFL clash) is something that’s been talked about since I can remember and it’s finally happening,” he said.
“Usually this time of the year you don’t get too excited about it, but I’ve had heaps and heaps of messages and it’s got everyone really excited, I reckon.
“This time of the year, you get sent who you’re going to play in interleague and usually you have to Google what area you’re playing against. Now, there’s no hiding; there won’t be too many secrets leading into the game.”
On paper, the BFL simply looks too strong.
With former AFL big man John Meesen in the ruck and the likes of Jordan Erskine and Mitch Day as key posts up forward, you could argue they would challenge the GFL in terms of quality talls.
In fact, you could easily pick another quality 22 for the BFL side outside of the players listed in this team.
“I think a few of the younger guys in Zac Walter and Kyle Polley will be putting their name forward — they were probably a bit stiff not to play this year given the seasons they had,” Herbison said of his Barwon Heads youngsters, while Finch listed Jeremy Ollis and Jacob Clark as Warriors who would justify interleague honours.
“I think there’s a lot of depth in the BFL nowadays, so picking the best 22 wouldn’t be an easy job,” Herbison said.
“I think it seems to be getting stronger each year with the players the clubs are recruiting; guys like Jarrod Garth and Tim McIntyre who have come into the league this year.”
Finch said: “Naturally we feel like our league is a few cogs better than the GDFL, but that’s yet to be seen and we’ll see how we go next year.
“I think being a home game will be naturally enticing for people to play and have a swing of bragging rights.
“I think the Bellarine will think they’re a better competition and will want to beat the GDFL and the GDFL will want to prove otherwise as well.”
But Howell said the GDFL would take a “win at all costs” approach into selection.
“We’ve only got one chance at it,” he said.
“We’ll be playing the best side with the best players who are in form at the time to beat the Bellarine side.
“It’s all about getting that win and hopefully moving up the ranks.
“It will be a massive challenge . . . but I think the district side, we’ll definitely find comfort in being the underdog and we’re going in with nothing to lose and everything to gain.”