Stupendous call by the Captain and her team of Selectors at Mansfield Shire Council (MSC) for spending ratepayer dollars to reward the most successful Shire sporting club in recent times - the Bonnie Doon Football Netball Club (BDFNC).

What is it you ask?

A much-needed new Netball Court? Nah, the netballers only won four of the five Grand Finals they played in.

Upgraded facilities for the footballers? Nah, the Reserves only played in the O&K Grand Final for the first time in history and the Seniors haven’t won a flag since 2023.

So, let’s do a Mankad and reward them by pouring a 22-yard-long and 10-foot-wide slab of concrete on the football ground while nobody’s watching.

Seriously?

Yep, the Bonnie Doon ratepayer community have been completely bowled over, caught out and stumped by this dubious decision announced recently via an MSC Facebook post!

Does Bonnie Doon have a Cricket Club?

Nah, the original pitch was removed many innings past due to the risk of injury to the footballers.

Let that one go through to the keeper, concussion is not a major concern in Aussie Rules these days.

And, the talented Doon cricketers play for the proud and longstanding MCC at the MCG. The MCG? Yep, that sheep paddock down the road at Merton which could do with some love.

Has Merton been dropped from the squad?

Hopefully it will quieten down the Mansfield Football Netball Club’s continued gripes about having to share their community asset with other community clubs.

Well what was all that drama about the drop-in pitch at the Mansfield Recreation Reserve some years ago?

Surely this will appease that pesky Delatite Cricket Club bemoaning being overcharged to use the Lords Ground which they voluntarily and lovingly maintain?

Nah, let’s banish their C Grade and Under 14’s teams to the Doon.

Howzat to resolve a sticky wicket?

Perhaps this decision should be referred upstairs to the third umpire (Bonnie Doon ratepayers)?

Ah politics, it’s just not cricket.

Over to the Mansfield-centric commentary box for expert comments.

Paul Sladdin

Bonnie Doon