Good Friday football gets abig thumbs upfrom leagueand supporters

A FULL round of Good Friday matches could become a staple of the Bendigo Football Netball League calendar, following a successful round of Easter weekend matches.

Big attendances at Canterbury Park, Strathfieldsaye, Camp Reserve and Gardiner Reserve continued a strong start to the season in terms of crowds for the BFNL.

BFNL general manager Tom King hailed the Good Friday round as a success.

“We were rapt to see great crowds across the league. At the venues I was at, it was pumping,” said King, who spent parts of the day at Eaglehawk, Castlemaine and Gisborne.

“It was a great opportunity for the clubs to make a bit of money and put on a good show for their communities.

Due to Easter falling earlier in the year in 2024, only one Good Friday game was played last year, with Castlemaine hosting Maryborough, two weeks before the official start of the season.

There were no Good Friday matches in 2023.

King said the BFNL would be keen to support a full round of Good Friday fixtures again next season.

“It just depends on when it falls in terms of the date,” he said.

“Looking at it next year, it (Easter) is the first week of April, so it’s a possibility it could be round one, which is exciting.”

An intriguing set of results were highlighted by Castlemaine’s first senior football victory over Golden Square in nearly 20 years, and South Bendigo’s first win at Gisborne since 2017.

The Bloods’ 27-point win at Gardiner Reserve propelled them to a 2-0 start to the season, ahead of an Anzac Day blockbuster under lights at the QEO against Eaglehawk.

King said the BFNL could not have asked for a better scenario heading into Anzac Day, with Eaglehawk also entering the clash at 2-0 following a big win over Kangaroo Flat.

“Friday is going to be massive – both teams undefeated – and both teams have high hopes for the season,” he said.

“Who knows how that will play out.

“Both clubs are expecting huge crowds.

“If you had an afternoon watching the AFL (Collingwood v Essendon), wandering down to the QEO afterwards is a great idea.

“It’s exciting for South and Eaglehawk, but also the league to have this as a standalone feature match.

“And of course, South is partnering with the RSL to support the day.”

As the host club, the Bloods will join forces with the Bendigo RSL to raise funds in support of veterans and their families with initiatives throughout the day.