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BFL Players make Pioneers All Star team in 2000

A NUMBER of BFL players were named in the first Bendigo Pioneers All-Star team released to the public in winter, 2000.

The All-Star 22 with three emergencies was selected to mark the Pioneers’ first seven seasons --- 1993 to 1999 -– in the TAC Cup competition.
Amazingly four players are still representing BFL clubs more than eight years after the stellar side was picked.

South Bendigo skipper John Hardinge and Golden Square assistant coach Nick Carter continue to pull on their club jumpers each weekend.

Rowan Warfe, originally a Square man but now the assistant coach at Kangaroo Flat, was also in the All-Star line-up.

Midfielder Damien Lock who is so important to Eaglehawk’s chances in 2008 was picked on a half-back flank.

And the All-Star full-forward Steven Reaper put the jumper and the boots back in the cupboard just a few, short seasons ago.

A lot has happened in football in eight seasons. Nathan Brown is now at Richmond but he was a Western Bulldogs’ player in 2000, Brent Guerra slips on the Hawthorn colours on match days after stints at both Port Adelaide and St Kilda while Corey Jones (only just in the All-Star list as one of three emergencies) is a star goalsneak for North Melbourne.

THE late Neville Strauch, then the Pioneers general manager, said his club staff took great pride in selecting the All-Star side.

“Nine staff members of the Pioneers organization who had overseen the club’s development over the first seven seasons voted on the final line-up,” he said.

“We looked at the players’ performances with the Pioneers and then we looked at their achievements as their football continued to unfold,” Strauch said.

The general manager said there were a number of household names in the 22. Apart from Nathan Brown players such as Dean Solomon, Nathan Thompson, Warfe, Chris Tarrant and Mark Alvey were in the line-up.

Solomon, then with Essendon but now a Freo Docker, said he was honoured to be named in the All-Star 22,

“It’s a real achievement. It’s a feather in my cap. There are some very good footballers named,” he said.

“To be named at centre half-back in that side is a great achievement for me,” said Solomon.

The Dockers’ hard man was originally recruited from North Broken Hill --- not the most fertile ground for potential AFL players, you wouldn’t think.

When the 2000 All-Stars was selected Solomon was going great guns in defence for the Windy Hill Bombers in the AFL, but of course currently he’s with the Fremantle Dockers and out suspended for eight matches for striking Geelong’s Cameron Ling.

Centreman Michael Braun has only recently retired after a brilliant career with the West Coast Eagles. Half-forward Kane Munro returned from the west some time back and is currently coaching in the north-west corner of Victoria --- his old stamping ground.

Like Solomon, centre half-forward Chris Tarrant is with the Eagles’ fierce rivals in the west …. the Fremantle Dockers.

Nathan Thompson moved on from Hawthorn to North Melbourne and is presently battling to retain a spot on the Shinboners’ list while Arden Street teammate Daniel Harris is a proven midfield hard nut.

Michael O’Brien returned after his stint with the Eagles to play for his home club Kyneton in the BFL.

Jordan Doering became a key member of the Bendigo Bombers leadership group in the VFL when his AFL playing days were over.

Nathan Brown is arguably the most celebrated and highest profile player in the entire All Star line-up.

He’s a frequent panellist on Channel Nine’s Footy Show and is regularly featured in metropolitan newspapers’ picture spreads.

The 2000 All-Star team (with Pioneers total games and years played in TAC Cup, club or place of recruitment and club played for in 2000 --- all in brackets):
Backs: Rowan Warfe (13 games, 1993, Golden Square, Sydney Swans); Luke Livingston (20 games, 1998-2000, Kerang Rovers, still with the Pioneers); Ryan O’Callaghan (33 games, 1994-96, Ouyen United, Bendigo Diggers in VFL).

Half-backs: Damien Lock (42 games, 1994-96, Eaglehawk, and playing with Eaglehawk in 2000); Dean Solomon (18 games, 1997, North Broken Hill, Essendon); Donato De Angelis (23 games, 1997-98, Irymple, Williamstown in VFL).

Centres: Jordan Doering (25 games, 1996-97 , Sandhurst, Carlton); Michael Braun (37 games, 1994-96, Echuca United, West Coast); Leigh Gathercole (20 games, 1998-99, South Mildura, Bendigo Diggers in VFL).

Half-forwards: Mark Alvey (23 games, 1996-97, Wentworth, Western Bulldogs); Chris Tarrant (34 games, 1996-97, South Mildura, Collingwood); Kane Munro (31 games, 1998-99, Walpeup/Underbool, West Coast).

Forwards: Nick Carter (27 games, 1994-95, Golden Square, Bendigo Diggers in VFL); Steven Reaper (44 games, 1995-97, Kyneton, playing with Gisborne in season 2000); John Hardinge (45 games, 1995-97, South Bendigo, playing with South Bendigo in the year 2000).

Rucks: Nathan Thompson (19 games, 1995-96, Kyneton, Hawthorn); Brent Guerra (31 games, 1998-99, Koondrook/Barham, Port Adelaide).
Rover: Nathan Brown (34 games, 1995-96, Golden Square, Western Bulldogs).

Interchange: Jim Cail (22 games, 1998-2000, Eaglehawk, still at Pioneers in 2000); Daniel Harris (25 games, 1998-2000, Rushworth, still at Pioneers in 2000); Paul McMahon (34 games, 1995-97, Lockington/Bamawm, North Ballarat Roosters in VFL); Michael O’Brien (21 games, 1997-98, Kyneton, West Coast).

Emergencies: Corey Jones (31 games, 1998-99); Travis Ruyg (16 games, 1994) and Kristian Shevlin (35 games, 1994-96).

Richard’s tips for Round 18: South Bendigo, Maryborough, Eaglehawk, Gisborne. Progress total: 56.

By Richard Jones

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