O&M coaches in favour of official pre-season competition

Jarrod Hodgkin, Luke Norman and Peter German all revealed their support for the proposal when contacted by The Border Mail yesterday.

The last time the league ran a pre-season competition was during the mid 1990s.

Hodgkin said the Wodonga Raiders were behind the proposal which would save clubs the hassle of finding suitable opposition for practice matches.

"I was all for the proposal, mainly because it can be a hassle organising pre-season matches," Hodgkin said.

"Especially if one of the opposition sides pulls out late for whatever reason.

"I was a bit surprised that it didn't go ahead to be honest.

"I know some clubs are hesitant to play rivals from the same league because they don't want to show their hand early in the season.

"But if you are playing six-quarter matches and rotating 30 plus players, it's hard to get an accurate guide on the opposition anyway.

"The league could ensure that the clubs that play each other in the pre-season don't meet in the early rounds to overcome that issue."

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Wodonga Raiders held three practice matches this year including a hit-out against North Albury at Sandy Creek in late February.

They also travelled to Queanbeyan and played Benalla.

Hodgkin said he found it hard to organise practice matches the previous year when he was first appointed coach of Raiders.

"I found it really difficult to arrange practice matches in my first season," he said.

"I thought I was getting in early when I was hunting around in December for clubs to play.

"But it was almost too late by then with most clubs having already finalised their plans."

Newly appointed Corowa-Rutherglen coach Peter German echoed the thoughts of Hodgkin.

"I thought it was a terrific idea," German said.

"It just gives clubs the opportunity to round out their pre-seasons against similar opposition.

"We now have to go and find at least two suitable clubs for a decent hit-out.

"It puts a bit more pressure on clubs."

Myrtleford coach, Jake Sharp, said he would be surprised if the proposal didn't go ahead next season.

"I think it certainly was a sound proposal but there was probably just a lack of information from league officials regarding the format," Sharp said.

"Personally I was in favour of playing a reserves match as well.

"The other issue I had was that the league probably left its run a bit late.

"But I think there is a fair chance that it could happen next season."