I've just got this into my email inbox about 25 minutes ago.
Is this the final nail in the coffin for the Bendigo alignment????
MEDIA RELEASE FROM AFL VICTORIA:
AFL Victoria wishes to advise that no Victorian Football League (VFL) matches will be played at Bendigo’s Queen Elizabeth Oval (QEO) for the remainder of the 2009 VFL season.
The Bendigo Bombers remaining four QEO matches – starting with this Sunday’s match against Geelong – will now be played at Windy Hill in Essendon.
Today, an independent ground inspection concluded the QEO was still unsuitable for VFL matches.
AFL Victoria Operations Manager John Hook said parts of the turf had improved since the QEO was closed for VFL matches on June 2 but the ground remained uneven in grass cover and firmness.
“We appreciate the work the City of Greater Bendigo has done to keep traffic off the QEO to help the ground recover,†Hook said.
“The turf has improved in areas such as the wings and the flanks but the risk factor remains in the centre square and the centre corridor.
“It is disappointing for the Bendigo Bombers and the people of Bendigo that no more VFL matches will be played at the QEO this year. But we have to consider the welfare of players and we had to eliminate that risk of injury, particularly as the VFL has so many AFL players.
“The ground will not improve markedly before the season ends so it is prudent to allow the ground to recover for the 2010 season.â€
The following match venues have been changed from the QEO:
Round 13
Sunday, July 12
Bendigo Bombers v Geelong @ Windy Hill
Round 15
Saturday, July 25
Bendigo Bombers v Northern Bullants @ Windy Hill
Round 16
Sunday, August 2
Bendigo Bombers v Sandringham @ Windy Hill
Round 13
Sunday, August 23
Bendigo Bombers v North Ballarat @ Windy Hill
