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They include Jess Kennedy and Hayley Trevean, both signed by Carlton as free agents following the 2016 draft, dual-code sports star Kerryn Peterson, who captained Carlton from 2022-24, two-time AFL premiership defender Ange Foley (Adelaide\/Port Adelaide), Tiahna Cochrane (Carlton), Kodi Jacques (Richmond\/Essendon), Grace Campbell (Richmond, North Melbourne\/Collingwood), Ainslie Kemp (Melbourne\/Hawthorn), Elise Hogan (Melbourne), Cassie Blakeway (Geelong) and Reni Hicks (Melbourne).<\/p>\n
The oldest club in the CVFL women’s competition, the Thunder is due to celebrate its 15th anniversary this season.<\/p>\n
In contrast to their current struggle, the Thunder in 2018 fielded two teams, one in the Northern league, the other in the CVFL.<\/p>\n
Since sending out the SOS for players and volunteers, the club received some good news with coach Mick McInnes recommitting for a third season after initially standing down.<\/p>\n
Maher said it was a ‘massive commitment’ for McInnes, who lives and works in Echuca, to travel down to Bendigo each week.<\/p>\n
“It’s really exciting getting Mick back \u2026 the girls love him and what he brings to the club,” he said.<\/p>\n
“He creates a really good culture with his values, so that’s really good news for us.<\/p>\n
“Now that Mick is back, we just need some more players, and from there, hopefully a few helpers and volunteers jump on board.”<\/p>\n
Maher said the club’s plight was made more difficult as it was a standalone club with one team, unlike its rivals which had multiple teams.<\/p>\n
“The club has been a bit of a pioneer, not only one of the first teams in Central Victoria, but in country Victoria,” he said.<\/p>\n
“There wouldn’t have been too many other clubs around at all when we started out in 2011.<\/p>\n
“There was a lot of success in those early days. It’s probably since the advent of the Central Vic league when we have had more teams created that things have gotten tougher for clubs like us.<\/p>\n
“But we’re proud that we’ve had a lot of ripper footballers come through the doors and go on to bigger things like winning AFLW premierships.”<\/p>\n
Should the Thunder be unable to compete, it would be the second time in as many years the CVFL has lost a team, after Woorinen withdrew its team before the start of last season.<\/p>\n
The competition last month gained a team, with the Wedge-Tailed Eagles, who will play their home games in Woodend, gaining approval to play in 2026.<\/p>\n
The Thunder train each Wednesday at 6pm at Weeroona Oval, with an extra, non-compulsory, session on Monday nights. Prospective players and volunteers are urged to contact the club via its Facebook page or call Jason Maher on 0415 125 674.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A BENDIGO football club that has produced more than a dozen AFLW players is in a fight for short-term survival, battling a shortage of players and volunteers. Bendigo Thunder, which plays in the Central Victoria Football League (CVFL) women’s competition, is desperately seeking more players in a bid to stave off going into recess for […]<\/p>\n