Bendigo Gold news

The Bombers were scheduled to play Geelong at the QEO this Sunday in their round six clash, but following an inspection of the ground yesterday, the game has been transferred to Skilled Stadium.

Officials from the Bombers, Geelong and VFL don't deem the ground surface to be in a satisfactory condition to host the VFL match this weekend.

"There are a lot of concerns, mainly through the middle of the ground about the unevenness and lack of grass cover," Bombers' general manager Matthew Allan said.

"Through the middle of the ground it gets a bit sandy and there is no grass cover, some bits are very firm and it's patchy in other parts.

The Seagulls prevailed 15.15 (105) to 14.18 (102) to leave the Bombers in 11th position on the ladder.

It's the second time this season the Bombers have lost a game by under 10 points after they were also beaten by reigning premier Sandringham by seven points in round three.

'‘It's very frustrating losing these close games - even last year we couldn't win the close ones, so it's something we need to work on," Bombers' captain Simon Rosa said.

‘‘We played better today as a team, which is something we've been lacking in other weeks, but if we can sneak home in a close game we can probably get our season started." Last year, the Bombers lost four games by under 10 points.

The Bombers started the game well, leading Williamstown by 18 points at the first change, before the Seagulls cut the deficit to 12 points at half-time.

Williamstown then added 8.6 to Bendigo's inaccurate 5.9 in the second half to ensure its fifth win in six encounters with the Bombers.

It was the conversion in front of goal that was the difference.

In what was a dirty day for the Bombers, Skipworth ruptured the patella tendon in his left knee early in the first quarter of Bendigo's 15.14 (104) to 9.10 (64) loss to Port Melbourne at TEAC Oval.

The injury to the 24-year-old occurred when he landed awkwardly after being involved in a marking contest.

Skipworth was operated on last night, and the Bombers will learn more on the extent of the injury to the classy midfielder today.

"I spent an hour with Hayden last night and he is really shattered and distraught about the whole situation," Bombers coach Matthew Knights said yesterday.

"When one of your key players and leaders goes down it certainly takes the sting out of the group a bit.

"You would say with a ruptured patella tendon it's at least going to be a 12 to 16-week injury, but it could be up to six months.

"It looks highly doubtful he will play again this year."

Skipworth joined the Bombers during the pre-season after playing 44 AFL games with the Adelaide Crows.

The Bombers chairman since September 2003, Driscoll's reign as chief of the Victorian Football League club will come to an end on June 30.

Driscoll cited expanding business interests and family commitments as the reasons behind his departure.

"I have a chance to be heavily involved in an exciting business venture and I've been getting busier and coming under more pressure with that in recent weeks," Driscoll said.

"Being chairman of the Bendigo Bombers is a big job with a lot of travel and with my other commitments it's getting harder and harder for me.

"One of the reasons why I want to leave at the end of June is because it will be easier for the new chairman to get used to the job and make life easier for 2008."

Driscoll denied speculation a rift between he and some Essendon officials had played a part in his decision.

"There's no truth in that at all," Driscoll said.

"We all have difference of opinions at time, but I have no problems with anyone at Essendon."

Driscoll said he departs with the club on an upward spiral on and off the field.

The Bombers were beaten 15.12 (102) to 14.11 (95) by reigning VFL premier Sandringham in the round three encounter at Windy Hill.

But it was the long-awaited return of Ramanauskas that will be the talking point out of the game.

It was Ramanauskas' first game since April 10, 2005, with the 26-year-old enduring a recurrence of cancer in his neck and a serious knee injury in the past two years.

A crowd of 2500 people gave Ramanauskas – now on Essendon's rookie list – a stirring ovation as he ran on to the ground.

He started on the bench, but was into the action 14 minutes into the first quarter.

Ramanauskas went on to collect 12 possessions and laid four tackles, and showed all his traits of calmness under pressure in an encouraging return by the 2000 Essendon premiership player.

"It was a huge story of everything he has gone through to come back and play," Bombers general manager Matthew Allan said.

"We will take a lot from it and we're pretty proud of the way Rama went about it.

"A lot of our guys in their first year were pretty lucky to play with Rama today, it's just disappointing we couldn't get a win for him."

After an even first quarter in which scores were level at 3.3 (21) apiece, the Zebras began to take control in the second term to open up an 18-point lead at half-time.