With pre-season preparations well under way and Round 1 quickly approaching, Scoop has gone one-on-one with all 11 senior football coaches ahead of the 2024 McDonalds BFNL season.
COACH: Brendan McCartney
Previous Experience/Accolades: Western Bulldogs Senior Coach 2012-14
ON THE RECORD
SCOOP: Well Macca, so close last year - your impact at the club with organic development over your three years has ticked all the boxes. When do results start to take precedent (to an extent) over pure development. Should that even be a thing at local level in your opinion?
Brendan McCartney: A good coaching program is developing winners. The learnings and education that comes with loss (while not ideal) are significant. I'm as competitive as anyone but you can't afford to dwell on loss to move forward. When everybody is heading in the right direction, good things will happen.
SCOOP: The club is not shy on talent and were all available (bar Tom Hotchin) for last year’s grand final. Are there any missing pieces (ideally) that would see the club take the next level?
BM: The missing piece is further development and maturity. The boys did an amazing job last year, they dug in and had a crack every week and were in all bar one or two games.
SCOOP: Three years in and heading into a fourth - give us your thoughts on the level of quality in the BFNL - would it stack up against other premier country leagues?
BM: Just below top shelf but definitely I would like to think we're in the top third going around. Our teams have been very competitive against GFL teams for example over recent years (practice matches).
SCOOP: Could the BFNL have a season where every team plays each other twice or do you think that's too long given it's part time nature. What would be your version of ideal?
BM: Anything with a planned strategy is doable. Variables, ie salary cap would need reviewing and naturally the general cost to clubs and operation of the season would be more expensive. Ideally, not beyond the realms of possibility.
SCOOP: I know how highly you rate Tom Hotchin who has had a wretched run with 2 ACL setbacks, can we expect to see him at any stage impacting the forward line?
BM: Unlikely but we're rapt to have added him into the coaching ranks. Tom is a North Ballarat person, and the players love him.
SCOOP: Tell us about exciting young and new additions Noah Cockerill and Mal White...
BM: Both have been in pathway programs. Cockerill (Gold Coast academy) made his senior debut as 15yo up in Cairns and has been playing against men for the last three years down back. He's a big strong kid. White (Geelong Falcons) is a super competitive, tough, athletic midfield type who played finals with the Falcons last year.
IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS
BM: Pressure, fit and strong.
PROJECTED IMPROVEMENT
BM: Offensively more adventurous. Added depth and height in key areas.
MOST UNDER AND OVERRATED STAT IN TODAY'S BFNL FOOTY
BM: Inside 50s – Underrated, Contested ball numbers (differential is the key) - Overrated
PRE-SEASON TRAINING
BM: We're a fit, strong running team. We just had the five sessions before Christmas (given played off in grand final) Returned Feb 1.
PLAYER INS
Noah Cockerill (Cairns), Dakin Morris (Russells Creek), Malachi White (Geelong Falcons), Brendan Howard (Beaufort), Liam Farley (Traralgon), Kayne Lewis (Hastings), Joey Symonds (returning).
PLAYER OUTS
Josh Chatfield (Deer Park), Isaac Lovisson (doubtful - Punting American football)
VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS
Jack Riding (Werribee), Jamie Quick (Werribee), Sam Glover (Collingwood)
THE DRAW
SCOOP: While there's not much in it North Ballarat do have the third hardest draw according to my formula. Double ups with Darley, Melton, East Point and Redan including four trips to the East will challenge McCartney and his young group. Byes in first and last rounds can be interpreted as you see fit (plus or minus). Last year's runners-up H&A season begins in Round 2 v Darley before a road trip in Round 3 to face Melton. Will want to be up and about early. While any bit of luck for North Ballarat will surely be earned this far out, you would assume the Roosters are finals bound again with further improvement under McCartney expected.
PRACTICE MATCH SCHEDULE
March 9 v Barwon Heads (H)
March 23 v St Marys (H)
April 6 v Bell Park (A)
IMPROVERS TIP: (OUTSIDE OF NORTH BALLARAT)
BM: Ballarat
FLAG TIP: (OUTSIDE OF NORTH BALLARAT)
BM: Darley
