August 08, 2007
From Bendigo Advertiser
FOOTY fans have been denied the chance to see Collingwood star Nathan Buckley make his long-awaited comeback in this Sunday's VFL clash in Bendigo.
FOOTY fans have been denied the chance to see Collingwood star Nathan Buckley make his long-awaited comeback in this Sunday's VFL clash in Bendigo.
Earlier this week, the Collingwood skipper and joint Brownlow medallist in 2003 declared he would comeback after long-term hamstring injuries at Bendigo's Queen Elizabeth Oval.
It's not another injury setback that has derailed Buckley's run, but a decision by the Metricon Bendigo Bombers board to switch the game.
The battle between Bendigo and Williamstown will now be played at the home of the Bombers' affiliate, Essendon's Windy Hill.
Bendigo Bombers general manager Peter Lodewijks said on-going concerns about the condition of the QEO led to the round 18 clash being switched.
"In our opinion, the ground is in a bad state," Lodewijks said.
There were six matches contested by All Seasons Bendigo Football-Netball League clubs on the QEO last weekend.
"With council permitting training on the QEO this week it will suffer from at least two more sessions," Lodewijks said.
"There will then be three BFL matches on Saturday, a VFL reserves game on Sunday, and then the senior clash.
"We believe the ground will not recover from such extensive use to be at the required VFL standard for Sunday's game."
Lodewijks said the Bombers voiced concerns about the QEO surface in the lead-up to the previous home game against Northern Bullants.
"We have been in constant contact with the council regarding the playing surface of the QEO for most of the 2007 season," Lodewijks said.
"It is hard to believe that this week, training is allowed when the ground is in worse condition."
The Bombers must win their last three home-and-away games to play finals.
