Pioneers keep eyes on Kyabram
BENDIGO Pioneers talent manager Steve Sharp is confident that Kyabram will host a TAC Cup premiership match next football season.
Plans for Bendigo to play Murray Bushrangers at Kyabram on August 29 have been shelved.
Bendigo had planned to transfer its final-round match of the 2015 campaign from Epsom-Huntly to Kyabram Recreation Reserve.
The Pioneers have never played a match for premiership points in the country’s leading under-18s competition in Kyabram.
Sharp, Murray Bushrangers and AFL Victoria representatives inspected the Kyabram ground on Tuesday.
“There were some major concerns about the centre wicket area,” Sharp said.
“It was decided not to play at Kyabram this time.
“It’s disappointing we will not play in Kyabram on the 29th, but we will be doing all we can to play there next year.”
This season, the Pioneers’ home run has included four matches at Epsom-Huntly and three at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Bendigo’s line-up has criss-crossed the state to play at Craigieburn three times, and has also been in action at Benalla, Box Hill, Oakleigh and Williamstown.
The Pioneers tackled Tasmania in Hobart.
Sharp said a goal for next season was for the Pioneers to play more matches across the region which stretches to the border at Mildura, Swan Hill, Echuca-Moama, and has many pockets in between.
Meanwhile, this Saturday’s clash between Bendigo Pioneers and Northern Knights has been transferred from Epsom-Huntly to Golden Square’s MyJet Oval in Wade Street.
Sharp said some concerns about the surface of the No.1 Oval at Epsom-Huntly had been raised before and after the recent match against Calder Cannons.
“Council staff have been working extremely hard to get the Epsom-Huntly surface up to scratch, but it’s not quite right for this round,” Sharp said.
“A lot of work has been done at Golden Square this week and we are right to play our first TAC Cup match at the ground in six years,” he said of a return to the club’s first home.
Bendigo and Northern do battle from 1pm.
Last Modified on 19/08/2015 13:15
