Body:
Not sure the VFL have done the right thing here.
Firstly, by declaring Bendigo will host a final on the Friday night in Week 1 of finals, their likely opponent - Sandringham or Northern Bullants - will have to back up within five days. Bendigo have a Saturday game in Round 20. That is quite clearly unfair. Given Sandy and the Bullants play each other in Round 20 the VFL should move that match to the Saturday.
Secondly, I don't think QEO is up to scratch surface wise. Just looking at the half time report on the ABC today, the square and the goalsquares are mudbathes. QEO traditionally never improves from its wear and tear of VFL, TAC Cup and Bendigo Football League matches.
Thirdly, it alienates opposition fans and Melbourne based supporters who really will find it inconvenient to be in Bendigo by 7pm on a Friday night.
I want the VFL to thrive as much as everyone else, but the VFL have had a typical narrow and short sighted approach with this early announcement, and it seems are so overjoyed by the fact their little baby is going to make the finals that they have failed to do something about some fairly significant issues.
