Bendigo Bombers chairman David Joss today said the 2010 model for the Bendigo Bombers is already proving a success - on and off-field - and is benefiting the local football league.

 
""The new alignment model is unique to the VFL and it is working very well,” Joss said.
 
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“It allows for the Bendigo Bombers to remain aligned to Essendon, field a VFL senior side only and release those players not selected to play with their aligned local club which has been great for the Bendigo football.”
 
Joss made his comments following a media report questioning the Bendigo partnership with Essendon.
 
""The license required to play in the VFL is still held between AFL-Vic and the Bendigo Bombers. We also remain an aligned club but, because we no longer have a reserves team, AFL-Vic has fit us under the same player-rule structure as applies to Geelong and Collingwood. However, it does not mean that we are any less aligned or that we are ‘Essendon in disguise’.

 

""The Bendigo Bombers still has its own board of directors, sponsors, volunteers, players, supporters and remains based in Bendigo.

 

“We were surprised to read recent media reports that we are the Essendon reserves and not the Bendigo Bombers.

 

""It was disappointing that a representative from another club resorted to taking cheap, anonymous pot shots at us in the press. I guess if we weren’t winning games then they would not be complaining.”

 
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Joss said the fact the Bendigo side has had a stronger Essendon player presence recently than in past years has more to do with there being fewer Essendon injuries than the alignment model.

 

“The turn-around in our form this season has been the result of a number of things: Shannon is doing a great job with the playing group, the new model has allowed us to recruit greater depth on the Bendigo list, Essendon has recruited quality rookies and there have been very few injuries this season,” he said.

 

""The new model is really well suited to a regional area where the players get the benefit of a VFL program and then help raise the standard of local footy if they don’t get selected for Bendigo.

 

""The new model means that we are the fourth club in the VFL without a reserves team which I agree is a logistical inconvenience to other VFL clubs, however, in terms of the senior player mix, it only impacts on the stand alone clubs, Port Melbourne and Frankston where the 12/10 rule used to apply.

 

“The Bombers are serious about representing Bendigo football and I believe that we are doing more to link local community footy to VFL and to AFL level than any other club.”

 
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Essendon general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said the club’s alignment with Bendigo was working well for both clubs.

 

“The two clubs have worked hard to ensure that the Bendigo team in 2010 is a lot more competitive than last year. Bendigo is a very professional outfit and is a great club for our developing players - like Anthony Long and Jake Carlisle - to learn the game,” Hamilton said.

 

“We are happy with the current model and the strong relationship that both clubs share - 2010 has been a positive year for the Bendigo Bombers and it is encouraging that our support for them has been mirrored by the support received from the local football community and Football Victoria.”