Page 20 The Moorabool News – 28 March, 2023
Sport
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2023 BFNL CLUB PREVIEWS - PART 2 By Todd Whelan
BALL A R AT
COACH: Chris Maple (new) ON THE RECORD: (Todd): Well Chris, firstly welcome to the BFNL coaching ranks. What were your first impressions of the Swans group? (Chris); There has been a bit of a shift in the age profile. We'll be a lot younger this year. So far I can tell you they're enthusiastic, eager to learn...both very encouraging attributes to work with. (Todd): Is your role primarily to take the group another step beyond a Preliminary Final or is the focus more on development given some 13 players are expected up from the Under 19s this year? How do you see it? (Chris): Well last year we had a much more experienced group, and were able to win something in the vicinity of seven games by 10 points or less – all the close ones essentially. My role, given we've a significantly younger list, is to help set up the club, having the right roles in place for sustained future success. (Todd): Callan Wellings is a welcomed addition from Collingwood VFL. Tell us about him and what we can expect? (Chris): Good ball user, has excellent leadership skills and is a quality person. Unfortunately for Callan he will miss the first month of the season due to a delayed surgery and travel commitment. (Todd): Bailey Van de Heuvel joins Geelong's VFL list but remains a Ballarat player. His presence will be a major boost for the group if/when available. What's your preference (position) for Bailey given he can play a key role for you across any line - the ideal swingman at this level. (Chris): Defence. You want him where he plays his best footy. (Todd): You've lost a few impact players from last year, they're never easy to replace. What's a realistic ask for 2023? 12 wins was huge last year given Melton (14 in 2022) and East Point (13 in
MELTON
COACH: Aaron Tymms
ON THE RECORD: (Todd): Tymmsy, with the monkey of expectation off your back winning last year – how have you gone about restoring the motivation of the group for a new season? (Aaron): The boys are very keen with the opportunity to go back-to-back. I expect we'll look a little different this year so those who weren't a part of it are hungry for a taste of it. So there's plenty to be excited about. (Todd): You get key bigman Benny Archard back which is a major boost but as many as four Premiership players from last year are gone. How did you weigh up your off-season on the player movement front? (Aaron): It's a bit of a shame we lost a few, it's the biggest turnover of the list I’ve had since joining the club in 2018. It will be a good test for us. (Todd): Can we expect you to introduce some more youngsters this season? From the outside there seems to be a fair queue wanting a crack, namely the twos given they lost just 3 games last year (R/U). (Aaron): Definitely. I'm tipping we'll see a bit more of our emerging talent. Max Scoble, Nathan Dowdy, Conrad Farrugia and Zac Russell are a few of our boys on the up. (Todd): You’re now a Premiership coach with the Bloods – what are you better at now than you were when you joined the club in 2018? What have you learned? (Aaron): I'm more relaxed, patient and better organised. I used to be all about win, win, win and prone to make more changes than I needed to chasing the result. (Todd): You're such an even team, who in your opinion brings the X-factor? (Aaron): We don't have outright matchwinners if that's what you're alluding to. We're an honest, even bunch. Full team buy-in.
2019) are the only other two sides to win 12 or more games in a season over the last 5 years. (Chris): As I alluded to earlier, I’m not sure we win as many games last year without the older heads. It's all about getting more games into the younger players - that alone is an improvement wins and losses aside. IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS: (Chris): Quality youth, fit, skilled with healthy blend of experience. PROJECTED IMPROVEMENT: (Chris): Getting more games into younger players. PRE-SEASON TRAINING: (Chris): Early signs have been encouraging. Enthusiastic bunch all eager to learn. PLAYER INS: C.Wellings (Collingwood VFL), M.Bishop (returning). PLAYER OUTS: S.James (Perth), L.Dawson (Brisbane), A.Domic (Buninyong), J.Dunne (CHFL), J.Blackburn (Barwon Heads), A.McPherson, T.Sutton. *C.Prendergast, J.Gibson, N.Weightman, N.Swain are all doubtful / yet to commit VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS: B.Van de Heuvel (Geelong), T.Maple (Footscray), A.Bade (Footscray) IMPROVERS: (OUTSIDE OF BALLARAT) (Chris): Sunbury / Darley FLAG TIP: (OUTSIDE OF BALLARAT) (Chris): Melton / Sebastopol clear benchmarks Todd's Ballarat prediction: 5th - 7th
IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS: (Aaron): Hard working. We're a defence first group across all lines - to be #1 in this area is a real focus. PROJECTED IMPROVEMENT: (Aaron): Defensive 50 stoppages - we're leaking too many goals. Also, our midfield connection, again around stoppage - needs work. PRE-SEASON TRAINING: (Aaron): Really good. The boys completed the 90km running program asked of them over the break. We didn't do much before Xmas given we went so deep last year but have returned to three nights a week from Jan 30. PLAYER INS: B.Archard (returns), J.O'Brien Ballarat), Br.Sullivan (Melton J.Watkins (North Melbourne VFL)
(North South),
PLAYER OUTS: J.Hickey (Diggers Rest), L.Hickey (Diggers Rest), M.Orr (Diggers Rest), B.Crofts (Caroline Springs), *D.O'Leary (work/doubtful), *B.Payne (Port Melbourne Assistant Coach may still play handful) VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS: Ben Archard (Essendon), J.Watkins (North Melbourne), K.Borg (training with Port Melbourne), B.Payne (coaching at Port Melbourne). IMPROVERS: (OUTSIDE OF MELTON) (Aaron): Darley into a second year under Dan Jordan, and North Ballarat. FLAG TIP: (OUTSIDE OF MELTON) (Aaron): Sebastopol will go very close. Todd's Melton prediction: 1st - 2nd
M ELTON SOU T H
COACH: Jason Hamilton (new) CO-COACH: Ryan Hoy ON THE RECORD: (Todd): Jason, welcome to the BFNL. Tough gig the Panthers, given the club has won just 9/58 games since 2018. I think it would be unfair to define your coming season with win/ loss. In that case what is you and Ryan's idea of 'season defining' for your young group? (Jason): Progressive improvement from week to week. Continue to put time into those young blokes as 'Pilch' did before me promoting organic growth and development. (Todd): In our brief conversations ahead of today you come across quite the 'straight shooter'. Win/ loss aside what will you and Ryan be looking for on a weekly basis to ensure the confidence you're on the right track? (Jason): Our ability to compete deeper and games. We're confident having three full teams representing our club each week. (Todd): Losing three big guns especially – namely Dylan Conway, Shaun Wyatt and Billy Lloyd would impact any club – what has been the intentions of the club to replace them? What player type have you and Ryan targeted in the off-season? (Jason): Bigger body inside mids. A key back and key forward. We're not the finished product yet, still in the marketplace. (Todd): There’s some progressive talent among the youngsters at the club who are starting to notch up considerable game time – can we expect any in particular to graduate into the midfield or have a significant impact on games? Who has taken you and Ryan's eye on the track for example? (Jason): Mitch Fino, Cody Chapman, Jarrod Bibby and Riley Theo are a promising quartet you can expect to see playing minutes in the midfield. They're fit, strong and showing enough to give every indication they're ready to take their game to another level. (Todd): Do you know much about your BFNL opposition given your short time? What are your observations/expectations on what you know al-
REDA N
COACH: Gary Learmonth (new) ON THE RECORD: (Todd): Good luck in your new role leading the Lions this year – you've seen plenty of vision – how do you go about bridging the gap between the club’s best and worst on game day? (Gary): I don't think we're far away. A bit of luck on the injury front, natural progression and healthy competition for spots should hold us in good stead. (Todd): Your returns in the 'East' last year beating 4/5 sides tells me the group isn't far away from finals calculations (finished 8th in 2022) – your first impressions on where the club’s at? (Gary): I've been pleased with the group. The boys train with intent and want to learn. It's still early but so far, so good. (Todd): Losing virtually no-one in the off season tells me the buy-in from the playing group is as good as any. What have you been able to add? (Gary): Nick Kelston is a versatile utility who can play anywhere, while Will Madden gives us some much needed height. We were asking too much of players to fill key positions last year. (Todd): Reigning Club Best and Fairest Isaac Grant and influential midfielder Cooper Craig-Peters have been training at VFL clubs Williamstown and Footscray over the pre-season. It's no secret they're crucial to your finals chances – what's their situation at the moment? (Gary): Hard to know. (VFL lists not finalised at time of interview). Of course we hope they're listed but selfishly we want to have them and they’ll be welcomed with open arms if/when available.
ready via vision, word of mouth, etc.? (Jason): Quality competition with accomplished players and coaches. The vision indicates a skilful brand of footy - I’m really looking forward to the opportunity coaching at the highest level of my career. I just love the footy! IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS: (Jason): Youth who are eager to learn and improve. Also we hope our level of fitness can be an advantage. PROJECTED IMPROVEMENT: (Jason): Tinker game plan to suit us specifically. We don't want to try and play some other team’s game. Focusing on our plan maximising our own strengths can only help us, I think. I also think a new voice, something new if you like, will invigorate the group, and hopefully we can have a few more wins. PRE-SEASON TRAINING: (Jason): Going great, I’m very happy with our fitness levels. PLAYER INS: P.Moi-moi (Geelong West), C.White (Hillside), T.Halley-Tualli (St Kilda City), P.Hoyland (Rockbank), T.Laifituani (St Kilda City), A.Reilly (St Kilda City), One or two more to come? PLAYER OUTS: S.Wyatt (Pt Cook), Br Sullivan (Melton), B.Sullivan (Darley), B.Lloyd (Horsham), D.Conway (retired) D.Jones (doubtful) VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS: T.Halley-Tualli (Sandringham). P.Moi-moi (Sandringham) IMPROVERS: (OUTSIDE OF M/SOUTH) (Jason): Sunbury FLAG TIP: (OUTSIDE OF M/SOUTH) (Jason): Melton Todd's Melton South prediction: 9th-11th
(Todd): Give us an insight into what type of Coach you are Gary – name three non-negotiables you'll ask of your players on game day… (Gary): 1. Be ready to play. 2. Be hard to play against. 3. Take the game on. IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS: (Gary): Talented mix of youth experience.
and
PROJECTED IMPROVEMENT: (Gary): Ruck options Nathan Dunstan (4 games last year) and Will Madden are big ins for us - we will structure up much better. PRE-SEASON TRAINING: (Gary): Isn't everyone flying at this time of year! PLAYER INS: W.Madden (Tiwi Islands), (Murtoa), R.Jerrera (Point Cook).
N.Kelston
PLAYER OUTS: C.Atchison (Albion), S.Aberdeen (travel) VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS: C.Craig-Peters (Footscray), I.Grant (Williamstown), J.Richards (Port Melbourne), W.Madden (Essendon VFL) - *note all four players were training at respective VFL clubs at time of writing – VFL lists were not yet finalised. IMPROVERS: (OUTSIDE OF REDAN) (Gary): North Ballarat FLAG TIP: (OUTSIDE OF REDAN) (Gary): Sebastopol with their recruiting or Melton. Both hard to beat. Todd's Redan prediction: 6th - 8th