Bendigo Bombers will field a side made up almost entirely of Bendigo based players for their clash with Werribee this weekend after Cale Hooker was rewarded for an impressive year in the VFL with selection for Essendon.
 
While it ensures Bendigo’s task is going to be a lot tougher it also gives coach Adrian Hickmott the chance to give some local Bendigo boys valuable VFL experience.
 
Danny Chartres and John Williams are the only two Essendon listed players in action for Bendigo this weekend and both will have important roles to play.
 
Chartres has been one of the most consistent performers all season for Bendigo, playing mainly across half-back but also spending time in the ruck and up forward.
 
Williams, who is likely to spend extended time in the middle on Saturday has been developing each week for Bendigo and has progressed from roles as a forward or wingman to now starting in the midfield.
 
Chartres is the only Essendon player to play every game this year for Bendigo and will be looking to finish the season off with a win after a difficult last month.
 
Bendigo Captain James Flaherty, who has also played every game this year, has been one of Bendigo’s best players in his first season in charge and provided great leadership for a young side.
 
Bendigo return to Queen Elizabeth Oval for the last time this season and with 20 of the 22 players being based in the town, locals will get the chance to see a side full of players from the Bendigo region competing at VFL level.
 
Last time Bendigo met Werribee it was a tight contest all day but the Tigers were able to hold off the Bombers’ challenge in the final term.
 
Bendigo Bombers play Werribee at Queen Elizabeth Oval at 2pm on Saturday 23 August.
 

B

Hartigan

Flaherty

Holmes

HB

Crameri

Chartres

Granger

C

Davies

Skipworth

Mathieson

HF

Geary

Coghlan

Fahour

F

Stroobants

Weeks

Ayton

R

Martin

Anderson

Williams

Int

S. Young

Meade

B. Taylor

Gawthorp

Arnott

D. Young

Thomson

Singh