Page 20 The Moorabool News – 21 March, 2023
Sport
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2023 BFNL CLUB PREVIEWS - PART 1 By Todd Whelan
BACC H US M A R SH
COACH: Jason Williams (new)
ON THE RECORD: (Todd): Well Jason, your firstyear assignment as coach of the Cobras has been made tougher with a number of key player exits in the off season. What type of play can we expect from the new group under your tutelage? (Jason): We're setting up to be a side that is hard to move the ball against with an emphasis on pressuring the ball carrier. Offence looms an exciting prospect for us on the back of youth promotion and potential 'ins'. (Todd): Talented duo in tall Luke Goetz and small Jake McCreery are welcomed additions. What can you tell us about these two? (Jason): Luke is a quality person with a big heart who thrives with interaction. He will be a highly valued and popular clubman. Jake's highlights reel suggests he's capable of anything. He takes pride in his performance and is very excited about wearing the Cobras jumper for the first time. (Todd): Is the club willing to concede this year a redevelopment phase without focus on win/loss or are you confident overcoming who many predict a challenging road ahead? (Jason): No, I’m not willing to concede anything until the matter of facts are done. I don't deal in probability, rather certainty. (Todd): Two part question - Are you familiar with the BFNL and secondly what has been your first impressions of your new club? (Jason): I live in Sunbury and was a junior at the club. I coached a lot of Sunday games last year and was able to see a number of their games. And given my history with the Calder Cannons I’m quite familiar with a few names. As for my first impressions of Bacchus Marsh? - See identified strengths! (Todd): What are 3 non-negotiables you'd have written on the white board for your
L A K E W EN DOU REE COACH: Jack Fitzpatrick
FOR THE RECORD: (Todd): Well Jack, clean slate, year two, here we go! While it wasn't the best season for the club in 2022 what were your impressions of the wider competition (on-field) in your first year? (Jack): Standard was good. I think we're starting to regain momentum out of the covid period. The Ballarat Football Netball League would be more than competitive against most other country leagues if not all. (Todd): It's encouraging to see the club has attracted a handful of new talent over the off season - tell us about them.... (Jack): Well they all come from different areas with different ideas which is exciting. We've added a blend of youth and experience we're confident will add to our ball use depth. (Todd): Near all of your progressive young talent has remained at the club - how do you, given your experience, ensure they continue to get better? (Jack): It doesn't happen automatically, it really is up to them. I can only guide them. They will get their rewards as a player more often, from what they put in. (Todd): There's a wrap around on new 200cm ruckman Tom Zampatti (St Josephs, GFL) - do you plan on spending considerable time with him on the teaching front given your skillset or will you just let him do his thing? (Jack): While he's moving well, I won't be overburdening him - he's come off a couple of serious knee injuries. We just want to see him enjoying his footy and see what he can do first - let him find his feet. We'll go from there. (Todd): One win seasons are tough. What did you learn in your first year at the Lakers about coaching for one and secondly the club? (Jack): As a coach - finding ways to stay in games for longer - we really took it up to Sebastopol (2nd) and Ballarat (3rd) but could
players on match day to adhere to? (Jason): Pride in the jumper, pride in yourself and show that you care. IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS: (Jason): Off field infrastructure is in a good space with access to medicos, physios etc. I've been blown away by the quality of people at this club who just want to help and be a part of something they believe in. Also, our junior program is very strong with a number of players vying for NAB league selection. PROJECTED IMPROVEMENT: (Jason): To facilitate a level of enjoyment, club unity and general wellbeing of the club. PRE-SEASON TRAINING: (Jason): Really good. Feedback has been positive and the buy-in great. Boys have welcomed the change and sensing a complete cultural shift around the place for the better. PLAYER INS: L.Goetz (Bell Park), J.McReery (Cove SA), J.Long (Collingwood VFL), Roy George (see U-Tube clips), M.Smith-Bye (Ballan). PLAYER OUTS: D.Burton (Pt Cook), H.King (Barwon Heads), N.Stuhldrier (Greenvale), R.Stuhldrier (Barwon Heads), T.German (Spotswood), M.Eastmure (Spotswood), S.Meagher (Spotswood), S.Crea (Ballan), Q.Butt (CHFL), A.Willetts, J.Williams (work), J.Robinson, M.Culliver VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS: L.Goetz (Carlton), J.Long (Collingwood). IMPROVERS: (OUTSIDE OF B/MARSH) (Jason): Darley - Dan Jordan is a high-quality coach, I’ve enormous respect for him. FLAG TIP: (OUTSIDE OF B/MARSH) (Jason): Darley Todd's Bacchus Marsh prediction - 9th - 11th not sustain it for the entire four quarters. On the club front - you wouldn't have known at training we were a one-win team - the feeling around the group was always positive. We're not defined by win/loss, rather identify something out of each game to improve on the following week. IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS: (Jack): Solid around the ball (inside). PROJECTED IMPROVEMENT: (Jack): Minimising errors that impact scores against. Better ball use. Being in games for longer. PRE-SEASON TRAINING: (Jack): Cold, wet nights in the middle of summer was a strange experience! That aside it was pleasing to see the boys had done the work over the break. That can only improve our progress. PLAYER INS: M.Foster (Donald), T.Zampatti (St Josephs), F.Loader (GWV Rebels), L.Holmes (South Barwon), M.McCullogh (Taylors Lakes), A.Daffy (Horsham Demons), T.Davis (North Ballarat) PLAYER OUTS: F.Greene (Hawthorn), R.Emerson-Jones (Bungaree), C.Brennan (overseas), M.Phillips (moved to Melbourne) VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS: None. IMPROVERS: (OUTSIDE OF LAKERS) (Jack): Sunbury FLAG TIP: (OUTSIDE OF LAKERS) (Jack): Melton - defending champs, impressive outfit. Todd's Lake Wendouree prediction - 9th - 11th
SEBASTOPOL
COACHES: Luke Kiel & Michael Columbrio
ON THE RECORD: (Todd): Congrats on your appointment at Sebastopol Luke, when did you think coaching was an avenue you would like to pursue? (Luke) To be honest, I never really thought about coaching until I had a stint 'in the box' last year nursing an injury. I guess that sparked the motivation and genuine interest. I'm looking forward to the challenge with my Joint Coach Michael Columbrio. (Todd): Runners Up in 2019 and 2022 suggests you're not far away from securing a first flag since 1974. You've been busy in the marketplace – what player type was deemed a priority to add to an already solid group? (Luke): Keeping the current group together first and foremost. Players who have an ability to cover the ground and not turn the ball over have been on our radar. (Todd): Your inspirational leader Tony Locker has had two surgeries to mend a syndesmosis injury sustained in last year’s finals series - how's he tracking along? (Luke): Ankle movement for Tony has finally freed up which is positive. He's already back in the gym and not far off running at full capacity. (Todd): You lose ruckman James Richards and shutdown defender Ben Trew but appear to have added some quality personnel over the break. Given the small sample size, are you better placed at this time than your
SU N BU RY
COACH: Travis Hodgson
ON THE RECORD: (Todd): Trav, you've another opportunity with the Lions to start better than your previous two years of W1-L4. What gives you the confidence we won't see a repeat? (Travis): When you only play 16 games and start slowly it’s very hard to catch up. We've made a conscious effort to adjust our preparation to get better results early. Time will if we get the desired outcome. (Todd): Tell us about the newbies and their roles - Garisto, Karpany and Brand and what they can add to the group? (Travis): (Josiah) Garisto and (Riva) Karpany are both 27 and we felt we needed to add some experience to the age profile of our group. Garisto is a strong bodied, rebounding defender with standout leadership qualities while Karpany is a versatile, extremely talented X-factor small forward. Brand can play at either end at 6'5", and straight off an AFL list - his type is rare in this competition. His competitive nature at training has been a feature. (Todd): Despite being only 1 of 2 sides to beat reigning Premiers Melton throughout last year’s home and away season, you lost more than your fair share of close ones. Have you put the line through looking back or is it something you have worked on at training with match simulation for example? (Travis): Yep, that was extremely frustrating and shaped our season. The short answer is we have focused on it (arresting the close losses) and I didn't see it as bad luck, rather an inability to convert strong positions in games, into wins. Experience (lack of) I thought played a role. (Todd): Having Josh Guthrie, Mitch Lewis and Jack Newitt full time gives you some security at the selection table - with the twos winning the flag last year and thirds winning a final can we expect a return to finals for your proud club? (Travis): Having (Mitch) Lewis, (Josh) Guthrie and (Jack) Newitt full time is a great starting point (selection). We played 44 players last year - 30 odd would be more conducive to the continuity we believe is required to succeed.
previous Runners up years? (Luke): It's hard to tell. I'd like to think we've done everything right so far to give us every chance of success. (Todd): And finally mate, what will Burras footy look like under Luke Kiel and Michael Columbrio? (Luke): We want to be more attacking with our ball movement and hit the scoreboard more – (Comp rank #6 for attack in 2022) IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS: (Luke): Disciplined, hard working. PROJECTED IMPROVEMENT: (Luke): To start well. Our opening five games are a real focus for us. PRE-SEASON TRAINING: (Luke): We've never trained harder in my time at the club. PLAYER INS: J.Clark (Werribee VFL), J.Dalhaus (Werribee), L.Latch (Maryborough), N.Sanders (St Josephs), R.Birthesel (St Josephs), C.Jackson (Bungaree) PLAYER OUTS: J.Richards (overseas), B.Trew (shoulder reco) VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS: J.Clark (Werribee), J.Dalhaus (Werribee) IMPROVERS: (Outside of Sebastopol) (Luke): Sunbury FLAG TIP: (Outside of Sebastopol) (Luke): Melton are still the team to beat, Darley next. Todd’s Sebastopol prediction - 1st - 2nd (Todd): While you're an experienced coach at this level, what have you learned during your time in charge of Sunbury - W21/L22 @ 49% (2019-) (Travis): It's a good reminder it takes time with kids. I had a side in the Ovens and Nurray a while ago who went at 50% win rate for two seasons before becoming a real force in the third. There's a big difference between 0-10 game players and 30-40 game players. We have a large number entering the latter phase so I’m expecting measurable improvement from our younger brigade. IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS: (Travis): Solid back six, good behind the ball. Tyson Lever and Harry Minton-Connell ran 1st and 2nd in our Best and Fairest off half back. That speaks for itself. PROJECTED IMPROVEMENT: (Travis): Better balanced up forward with Cody Brand (6'5") and Rivva Karpany (dangerous goalkicking small forward). Also having Josh Guthrie and Mitch Lewis full time should see progressive improvement in the group. PRE-SEASON TRAINING: (Travis): Been solid. We're more advanced and fitter having brought everything forward with an aim to start well. PLAYER INS: J.Garisto (Aberfeldie), R.Karpany (Coburg), C.Brand (Essendon VFL) PLAYER OUTS: J.Eales (Kyneton), D.Toman (Woodend), H.Ross (Riddell) VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS: (training) J.Sutton (Essendon), H.Minton-Connell (Essendon), J.Newitt (Northern Blues), M.Gook (Williamstown), C.Bramble (Box Hill). IMPROVERS: (OUTSIDE OF SUNBURY) (Travis): North Ballarat to resemble more of 2021. FLAG TIP: (OUTSIDE OF SUNBURY) (Travis): Sebastopol Todd's Sunbury prediction - 4th - 6th