Central Vic footy chats with John Hardinge

 TA: Great to have you on board with Central Vic Footy for a chat Johnny. We might start by trying to clear up some confusion relating to your age. I have heard people say your 36 and 38 although you try to tell us you’re much younger?

Much younger Chalky, 28. I think they get me confused with Neville he’s 38.

 TA: It’s fair to say at the South Bendigo Football Club you’re the heart and sole of the place. You have been a super player for the Bloods winning 2 Senior Best & Fairests, are the current Captain of the club and have recently joined the Clubs committee. What led to that decision to join the administration of the club and what do you see your role as?

Rick thought it would be a good idea to have some players on the committee, so myself and Roger Byron put our hands up. It’s been interesting getting involved in that side of things and hopefully myself and Rog can be a bit of a link between the committee and players.

 TA: Last year when the club had the opportunity they expressed interest in merging with the newly formed Strathfieldsaye Senior Football Club. What was your stance on matter and where did you think that the proposed merger failed?

I was in favour of the idea. I thought there was a fair bit to gain from it, probably most importantly it gave us a chance to create a locality we could call our own. We were probably a bit slow with forming an opinion on which way we wanted to go. There was also a few points we weren’t prepared to budge on.

 TA: 2004 was a tough season for the Bloods with Coach at the time Peter Tyack forced to step down mid season due to poor health and some heavy defeats. Since then the Club has built its playing stocks nicely and made three consecutive Preliminary Finals without tasting the ultimate success how do you believe the list is placed to step forward in 2008?

We’re probably as well placed as we have been. We’ve lost a couple from last year but picked up some handy players having said that. We’ve added a bit of pace and skill through the middle to go with the hard nuts of Coburn, Childs and Dave Mac up forward which gives us another avenue to take the pressure off Frewy. It’s shaping up well..

 TA: How has you Pre-Season been personally and how is the body holding up these days?

Pre-seasons been good, Ricky likes to change it up a bit so you never get bored. The body’s feeling as good as it has for a long time so I’m looking forward to the season.

TA: Some people might not know that in your younger days you played with the Bendigo Pioneers and actually played with the Geelong Reserves on 3 occasions. How do you look back at that time?

Enjoyed it a lot Chalky. I learnt a fair bit playing at that level and with blokes that have gone on to bigger and better things.

 TA: Having spoken footy with you on numerous occasions it’s clear that you’re a student of the game. Do you harbour any ambitions to take on a Coaching role in the future?

Coaching doesn’t really interest  me that much. I will be focusing more off the field and looking to do some administration in the near future.

 TA: John Hardinge in his spare time what does he enjoy getting up to?

Don’t  seem to have a lot of spare time Chalky with work and the amount of footy training we do. When I do find a moment its usually in front of the telly.

TA: It’s been great to catch up with a South Bendigo and BFL legend all the best for a big 2008 Johnny.

                                                                                   

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