Geelong Advertiser | BFL interleague coach Mark Hildebrandt has warned that reputations will count for nothing when the final side is selected to take on the Wimmera next month.
Hildebrandt headlines a six-member panel of BFL identities who have been charged with the responsibility of stopping the BFL’s free fall down the interleague ladder.
They released their initial squad on Wednesday, having collectively watched every BFL match over the first four weeks of the season.
Hildebrandt will take their first training session next Wednesday night at Howard Harmer Oval, where he will outline his expectations of the group.
“I’ll explain why I’m here and how important it is for the Bellarine to get back up there in the Vic Country rankings.
“I’m going to give them an ultimatum — if you don’t want to play, let me know now and I’ll accept that. We don’t want people who don’t want to play, that’s why we’ve named such a big squad.
“You don’t want guys to commit and then pull out at late notice, that’s why I’m giving them three weeks now.”
Hildebrandt and his panel including Glenn Kilpatrick, Simon McCormack, Geoff Miles, Matt Payne and Peter McVilly have picked a squad mixed with youth and experience.
“I’ve picked some junior kids who may not be up to interleague level yet but in the future they’re definitely going to be, and I want them to be involved,” he said.
“They’ll get to train with the VFL side at Simonds Stadium — and that’s one of the best experiences they’ll get. I’m looking at the future, the next few years as well, so that’s why we’ve got these guys in the squad.
“I think in previous years (selectors) have gone on what’s in the paper or rang the coaches and gone on names and reputations, but I’ve made sure myself and the selection panel have gone out to every game and seen the blokes who are in form and are what we’re looking for.”
It’s crunch time for the BFL’s interleague side.
The Bellarine has slipped back to the 15 v 16 playoff match against the Wimmera league in Horsham after losing to Casey Cardinia at Simonds Stadium last year.
If the BFL was to lose, and the GDFL wins its interleague match against North Central at St Albans Reserve, the two local leagues will be on a collision course next year.
Full squad:
Anglesea: Dale Kerr, Josh Bouwman, Peter Hardy, Ryan Dahlhaus, Ben Robbins.
Barwon Heads: Bobby Wallace, Ed Mitchell, Matt Dyer, Dylan Holland, Zach Gubbins, Joel Heil, Dominic Friend, Cameron O’Leary.
Drysdale: Josh Hopgood, Mitchell McGuire, Adrian Robinson, Joshua Rushton, Stephen Bensted, Matthew Baden.
Geelong Amateur: Ben Lavars, Kane Smith, Mitchell Day, Peter Street, Blake Sutterby, Josh Smith, Jacob Sharp.
Modewarre: Brendan Wemyss, Tyler Wemyss, Chad Ovens, Leigh Anderson, Daniel Sturzaker.
Ocean Grove: Tom Roberts, Jahd Anderson, Aaron O’Callaghan, Rowan O’Callaghan, Andrew Higgins, Daniel Maloney, Andrew Jarvis.
Portarlington: Brock Williamson.
Queenscliff: Justin Maher, Tom Limb, Luke Orvis, Nik Orvis, Nathan Pettigrove.
Torquay: Dominic Gleeson, Joshua Gray, Jarrod Mather, Matthew Deledio, Isaac Baker, Troy Bird, Alex Adams, Aaron Gleeson, Matthew Johnston
