BFNL interleague side to clash with VAFA at QEO

BENDIGO Football Netball League senior interleague coach Simon Rosa has praised the talent, commitment and buy-in of his players ahead of their clash against the Victorian Amateur Football Association at the QEO this Sunday.

The BFNL will be aiming to avenge last year’s 13-point loss to the VAFA, which had the advantage of playing on home turf at Elsternwick Park.

Hosting rights this year belong to the BFNL.

A 26-player squad, to be trimmed to 23 with three emergencies ahead of Sunday’s clash, contains a strong blend of youth and experience, with Rosa and his band of six assistant coaches having had 11 rounds of matches and two training sessions before this week to settle on a hopefully winning combination.

It features representation from all eight BFNL clubs and includes 10 players who represented the blue and gold in last year’s clash against the VAFA, including 2024 BFNL captain and defensive pillar Jack Reaper, from Gisborne.

Coach Rosa praised the squad’s professionalism and dedication to the interleague concept.

“We’ve had strong buy-in from across the competition, and we thank the players and their clubs for being so open and accepting of our rep football ambitions,” he said.

“I couldn’t be more impressed with the way the group has trained and connected through the first two training sessions.

“We’re expecting a high-quality match against the VAFA and the boys are excited to represent the league with pride at the QEO.”

Excitement surrounds the inclusion of Eaglehawk teenager Jack O’Shannessy, whose stellar form has seen him elevated into the senior squad from the under-19s.

“Jack has been super impressive with his form so far in 2025,” Rosa said.

“To be playing the level of senior footy he is as a teenager is a credit to him and he deserves his opportunity in the senior team.”

O’Shannessy is currently fourth on the league’s goalkicking table, behind only South Bendigo’s Brock Harvey and Kaiden Antonowicz, both named in the team, and Sandhurst’s Tom Campbell.

Ladder leader Sandhurst is the best represented team in the squad with seven players, spearheaded by joint reigning Michelsen medallist Lachlan Tardrew and former AFL forward Fergus Greene.

Gisborne and South Bendigo both have five players in the squad.

The senior team will confirm its leadership group in the lead-up to Sunday’s match.

A vastly experienced assistant coaching group includes Rick Ladson, Wayne Mitrovic, Nick Carter, Tyrone Downie, Troy Coates and Lenny Schmidt.

Downie and Coates currently coach in the BFNL, respectively leading Kangaroo Flat and South Bendigo.

The senior interleague clash will start at 2pm, with the under-19s kicking off at 11.30am.

BFNL senior interleague squad: Michael Hartley (Castlemaine), Ben Thompson, Jack O’Shannessy (Eaglehawk), Shane Clough, Zac Vescovi, Jack Reaper, Harry Luxmoore, Matthew Merrett (Gisborne), Jordan Rosengren, Tom Strauch, Jayden Burke (Golden Square), Ethan Roberts (Kangaroo Flat), Lachie Hood, Cobi Maxted, Fergus Greene, Lachlan Tardrew, Lachlan Wright, Cooper Smith, Matthew Wilkinson (Sandhurst), Jack Fallon, Brock Harvey, Brody Haddow, Callum Crisp, Kaiden Antonowicz (South Bendigo), Cooper Jones, Bode Stevens (Strathfieldsaye).