Match Preview | Just as Smokie sang “Twenty-four years just waiting for a chance” it’s been even longer for the Bendigo FNL to earn another chance to play Ovens and Murray in inter-league footy.

A patient of 29 years for the blue and gold is rewarded when Bendigo hosts the O & M in this Saturday’s match at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

The Simon Rosa-coached Bendigo will be striving to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat to the powerful league from the border.

When these leagues last met in 1997 it was O & M which won by nine points on its way to claiming the Victoria Country Football League’s division one title once again.

A strong rivalry was built in the country championships semi-finals of ’89 and ’90 when Bendigo beat O & M in Lavington both times.

A star-studded Bendigo FNL line-up in ’89 included Sandhurst greats Brendan Hartney and Chris Greene.

This Saturday it will be Fergus Greene, nephew of Brendan and son of Chris who leads Bendigo.

Click here to read the full article