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:Dennis Armfield

Previous Experience/Accolades:145 AFL games (Carlton)

ON THE RECORD

SCOOP: Great news for the Cobras obtaining your services for the coming season Dennis. I've no doubt the BFNL will also be the beneficiary. How did you find your way to Bacchus Marsh?

Dennis Armfield: Long story short, my wife grew up in Bacchus Marsh and has run a business there for 20 years - Dream Entertainment Dance Studios. It was an ideal fit for family and community connection.

SCOOP: There's an encouraging blend of youthful and experienced talent at Cobra land. Have you had a chance to see much given the Coates boys from last year have been training with Port Melbourne and Williamstown? What do you know of them over your short time?

DA: Did my due diligence. Our youth is very exciting and will help lead the Cobras in a positive direction. Not only these players but the whole group are driven to learn and grow, challenging each other for a spot in the team and raising the standards which is encouraging.

SCOOP: Are playing finals on the priority list of goals in 2024 or is further development into the young brigade atop of the list - name three priorities for your tenure...

DA: Improve on 2023 (ladder position and personal growth). To become a stronger united club across men and women's footy and netball. Making Bacchus Marsh a destination club/town and place people want to come to.

SCOOP: What will Andrejs Everitt add to the Cobras list?

DA: Development, patience, wisdom, calm, balance, x-factor.

SCOOP: What is the likelihood we'll see much of Rye Penny (Collingwood VFL listed) and what role will would he play?

DA: Intercepting back. We'll support his VFL journey wholeheartedly and do whatever we can to facilitate his progress. I selfishly hope we see him for a handful of games but for his sake, I hope we don't see him at all.

SCOOP: You won a Jim Stynes Medal during your AFL career at Carlton for your contributions to the wider community. Is that something you've always valued and maintain today? Local footy I guess is another way of giving to the community....

DA: My motto is 'live to give'. I believe we should all do our part together. Connection is an important value to me and doing the journey with others makes life enjoyable. Local footy gives me so much and I hope I can return a little back to those around me.

SCOOP: What are the chances of you playing at all this year - if high - how many games are you planning on?

DA: Definitely playing is on the card but I won't stand in the way of a kid getting a game. I played 14/18 games last year and missed only when the 'bench' coach was away. I've done all this pre-season and will likely play a 'filling' role (similar to Andrejs) wherever deemed necessary by the coaching staff and match committee.

IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS

DA: Leg speed and willingness to take a risk. The internal drive and want to learn / get better. Our forward line looks in good shape, a well-connected defensive structure and an energetic midfield. 

PROJECTED IMPROVEMENT

DA: Forward structure, ball movement, competitive edge staying in games for longer.

MOST UNDER AND OVERRATED STAT IN TODAY'S LOCAL FOOTY

DA: Conversion inside 50 – Underrated, Clearances - Overrated

PRE-SEASON TRAINING

DA: Great. 50 odd numbers on the track each session pre-Christmas is very encouraging for this time of year. The group are fully trusting and invested in the program. Our strength and conditioning coach addition is also having an impact. Our leaders have been driving the standards.

PLAYER INS

Dennis Armfield (Park Orchards), Andrejs Everitt (Park Orchards), Sam Crea (Ballan), Rye Penny (Gisborne), Josh Calvitto (Dunnstown), Baden Cracknell (Dunnstown), Bailey Glascott (GSW Rovers), Cohen LeSeur (Gordon)

PLAYER OUTS

Eamon Ogden (Kyabram), Jake Long (Tullamarine), Joshua Onderwater (Western Districts), Jonathon Bissell (Macedon), Tom Gillies (retired), Dom Miessen (ACT/work)

VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS

Rye Penny (Collingwood). Josh Huxtable (Port Melbourne training), Jack Kovacevic (Port Melbourne training), Cody Gates (Port Melbourne training), Ethan McKercher (Port Melbourne training), Isaac Nixon (Port Melbourne training), Joel Freeman (Williamstown training)

THE DRAW

SCOOP: Double ups against big guns Darley, North Ballarat and Melton will be a great challenge for Armfield's progressive group. Other home and away meets include last year’s bottom two Melton South and Lake Wendouree. Sunbury is their sixth double up in this space who are eyeing some home ground momentum in 2024. Four trips to Ballarat include Lakers (Round 2), Sebastopol (Round 5), East Point (Round 11) and North Ballarat (Round 14). Cobras will hope to be in the mix after Round 13 with North Ballarat (A), bye, Melton (H), Darley (H) and Sunbury (A) to close out their season. Tough run home. 

PRACTICE MATCH SCHEDULE

March 16 v Avondale Heights (A)

March 23 v Pending opposition

IMPROVERS TIP: (OUTSIDE OF BACCHUS MARSH)

DA: East Point and Melton South (more competitive).

FLAG TIP: (OUTSIDE OF BACCHUS MARSH)

DA: North Ballarat

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:Chris Maple

Previous Experience/Accolades:2016 Western Bulldogs AFL Premiership Match Day Assistant Coach, 2014 Footscray VFL Premiership Coach.   

ON THE RECORD:

SCOOP: Well Chris, a year down in charge of the Swans - what did you learn about the group and where they're at and more broadly the BFNL given you've come from an elite program in the AFL with the Western Bulldogs?

CHRIS MAPLE: We're a young team like many across the BFNL which is a positive. I just really hope they stay in the competition (not lured elsewhere). The quality of the grounds have improved a lot too since my playing days.

SCOOP: Callum Wellings (25yo, 181cm) was a great pickup ahead of last season but unfortunately he was unsighted for various reasons. Is he good to go this year after a year off?

CM: Yep, he's back in Oz and we look forward to seeing him go around through the midfield.

SCOOP: You often made reference in your post-match comment last season it was essentially a quarter here and there that was costing you dearly from gaining a result. What's the ingredient to go about rectifying that in the new season?

CM: That's the part of having a young group and clearly an area of growth for us. The new additions bring physicality and experience which will help out the younger boys in that space. Expect some speed humps a long way but I’d like to think we're heading in the right direction.

SCOOP: Tell us about Lachie Dalgleish - he reads a more than handy acquisition and the mail is he's a terrific bloke. Elaborate for us on his role...

CM: Yep your mail is right, good fella. He's arrived with an eye toward high level coaching in the future. Lachie (30yo,185cm) is well credentialled and will play a variety of roles.

SCOOP: Andrew Hooper (32yo) has been an ageless contributor for the club for some time. Apart from his forward craft we're privy seeing when he's up and about, what does he offer the young brigade off field regarding preperation and gameday?

CM: Hoops has great aspirations in the coaching space and has really grown as a leader and positive influence for our young group.

IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS

CM: Backline will be stronger, and our midfield should progress.

PROJECTED IMPROVEMENT

CM: Debuted 16 players last year so we're hopeful the youth will progress with a year of senior footy under their belts.

PRE SEASON TRAINING

CM: It has been been good. We had a month block pre-Christmas before returning on January 23.

MOST UNDER AND OVERRATED STAT IN TODAY'S BFNL FOOTY

CM: Possessions – Overrated, Repeat F50 entries - Underrated

PRACTICE MATCH SCHEDULE

Saturday March 23 v Sebastopol (A)

Thursday April 4 v Dunnstown (H, Night Match).

PLAYER INS

Lachie Dalgleish (Drysdale), Harry Butler (Carisbrook), James Carpenter (Uni Blacks, VAFA), Zak Rinaldi (Carisbrook), Bailey Fraser (Returned) 

PLAYER OUTS

Bailey Vander Heuvel (Leopold), Daniel Kennedy (Retired), Lawson Prendergast (Work - Perth), Mitch McGrath (Newlyn). Sam Fisher (SMW Rovers), Tyler Constable (Work-Bendigo)

VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS

Tristan Maple (Footscray), Angus Bade (Foostscray)

THE DRAW

SCOOP: Even draw for the Swans ranking fourth easiest. Avoid double ups with Darley and Melton who lost just four home and away games between them last year and don't see either of them after Round 5. The Swans have three trips to the east - and just one after Round 5 at Melton South. Maple's young group get 2023 bottom two sides Lake Wendouree and Melton South twice.

IMPROVERS TIP (OUTSIDE OF BALLARAT)

CM: Melton

FLAG TIP (OUTSIDE OF BALLARAT)

CM: North Ballarat

The McDelivery BFLW is pleased to announce its fixtures for the 2024 senior and junior football competitions.

Find full competition dates and fixtures via the downloadable links below:

Applications for the 2024 BFLW Interleague Coaching positions are now open.

There will be coaching opportunities across the Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 age groups.

With a considered approach to expand the BFLW's interleague program fixtures against the Bendigo Female Football League and Western Victoria Female Football League are currently in discussion.

Player nominations for the 2024 BFLW Interleague program are now open.

Nominations are open to all current BFLW players, for U18, U16 and U14 age groups.

Cut off for nominations will be this Sunday 28^th April. 

For more information or further questions e-mail BFLW Football Manager Tayla Banham: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The BFLW celebrated its night of nights for the Under 14 and 16s competitions as we crowned all the amazing achievements of our junior female footballers from the 2024 season.

See below for a full list of winners and recipients from the night.

Under 14 Junior Girls Most Valuable Player

Anika Tran - Bacchus Marsh FNC

Under 16 Junior Girls Most Valuable Player

Milly Shortal - North Ballarat FNC

Under 14 Junior Girls Best & Fairest

Winner: Anika Tran - Bacchus Marsh FNC
Runner-Up: Kailey Lang - Darley FNC

Under 14 Junior Girls Rising Star Award

Taylor Young - North Ballarat FNC

Under 14 Junior Girls Team of the Year

Under 16 Junior Girls Best & Fairest

Winner: Milly Shortal - North Ballarat FNC
Runner-Up: Laura George - Redan FNC

Under 16 Youth Girls Rookie of the Year

Scarlette Guarino - Darley FNC

Under 16 Junior Girls Team of the Year

The BFLW celebrated its night of nights for the Under 19 and Senior Women's competitions as we crowned all the amazing achievements of our female footballers from the 2024 season.

See below for a full list of winners and recipients from the night.

Under 19 Youth Girls Most Valuable Player

Keisha Darroch - East Point Dragons

Under 19 Youth Girls Rookie of the Year

Charli O'Connor - Bacchus Marsh FNC

Under 19 Youth Girls Best & Fairest

Winner: Freya Palmer - Redan FNC
Runner-Up: Keisha Darroch - East Point Dragons

Under 19 Youth Girls Team of the Year

BFLW Senior Women's Leading Goal Kicker

Kim Bessell (54 goals) - Darley FNC

BFLW Senior Women's Best & Fairest

Winner: Lilli Condon - Darley FNC
Runner-Up: Jacinta Reid - Bacchus Marsh FNC

BFLW Senior Women's Team of the Year

2024 BFLW Coordinator of the Year

Ben Skinner - Darley FNC

2024 BFLW Coach of the Year

Mal Howard - East Point Dragons

The McDonald’s Ballarat Football Netball League is pleased to announce the fixture for the first week of the 2024 BFLW Finals series.

The league is excited to have all BFLW clubs represented across the final’s series, providing a wonderful experience for our clubs and players following successful seasons thus far.

Admission prices will come into effect as of this weekend and are as follows.

Admission Prices

Adults - $12
Family (2 adults & 2 children) - $30
Age Pensioner/Concession - $5
8 - 16yo - $5
U/8 – Free

Ground admission

Gates will open at 7.30am for all venues during weeks one to three.

Match Schedule

The McDonald’s Ballarat Football Netball League is pleased to announce the fixture for the second week of the 2024 BFLW Finals series.

Week one saw all clubs feature amongst the BFLW competition, with the sunshine providing an enjoyable atmosphere for both players and spectators.

Admission prices will continue this weekend and are as follows.

Admission Prices

Adults - $12
Family (2 adults & 2 children) - $30
Age Pensioner/Concession - $5
8 - 16yo - $5
U/8 – Free

Ground admission

Gates will open at 7.30am for all venues during weeks one to three.

Match Schedule

The McDonald’s Ballarat Football Netball League is pleased to announce the fixture for the third week of the 2024 BFL Women’s Finals Series.

Congratulations to all those teams that booked their spot into the Grand Final from the weekend’s matches and the best of luck to those looking to do the same this weekend.

Admission prices will continue this weekend and are as follows.

Admission Prices

Adults - $12
Family (2 adults & 2 children) - $30
Age Pensioner/Concession - $5
8 - 16yo - $5
U/8 – Free

Ground Admission

Gates will open at 7.30am for all venues during weeks one to three.

Match Schedule

The McDonalds Ballarat FNL is excited to announce the Grand Final venues for all competitions to complete the 2024 season.

After an outstanding 2023 finals series, which culminated in a nail-biting grand final in brilliant sunshine at the City Oval we look forward to the 2024 series being just as exciting with the same wonderful weather.

The first of our series will commence with BFLW on Sunday 11th August through and culminate with the Grand Final at the Eastern Oval on Saturday 31st August.

Junior football and netball will kick off on Saturday 24th August, with the Junior Grand Final being held at the City Oval on Sunday 15th September.

After a very competitive and exciting football and netball season the senior football and netball finals series will commence on Saturday 31st August with the Grand Final being hosted at the City Oval on Saturday 21st September.

● 21 finals events across seven weeks
● Eight different finals venues encompassing Darley, Ballarat and surrounds
● In excess of 50,000 people to attend across all competitions during the final’s series.

Through the support of major sponsors, McDonalds Ballarat and finals naming partners Ballarat Toyota, Carlton Draught and McDelivery, the Ballarat FNL can showcase a high standard finals series of football and netball from across the region.

Please see below the table that shows the Top 6 Finals Format:

The McDonalds Ballarat FNL is excited to announce finals venues for all competition to complete the 2024 season.

After an outstanding 2023 finals series, excitement is building towards the finals series that will see Junior and Senior grade grand finals being played at the City Oval.

Three finals series will be held over four weeks commencing with BFL Womens from Sunday 11th August through to the grand final on Saturday 31st August.

Junior football and netball finals will kick off on Saturday 24th of August, with the grand final on Sunday 15th September.

A competitive senior football and netball finals series will commence Saturday 31st August and culminate with the grand final on Saturday 21st September.

Highlights of the final’s series include:
● 21 finals events across six weeks
● Eight different finals venues in Ballarat and Darley / Bacchus Marsh
● In excess of 50,000 people to attend across all competitions during the final’s series.

Through the support of McDonalds Ballarat and finals naming partners Ballarat Toyota, Carlton Draught and McDelivery, the Ballarat FNL can present regional football and netball at the highest level across the region.

Please see the attached table that locates the Top 6 Finals Format.

Please see the table below for the 2024 BFNL Finals Ground Allocations.

*The above venues are subject to change should the ground conditions be affected by weather.

2024 BFNL Senior & Junior and BFLW Finals Admission Prices

The Ballarat FNL travel to Warrnambool this weekend as they take on the Hampden Football Netball League in the 2024 edition of interleague football.

Under 23 Mens

Saturday July 6th @ Reid Oval, Warrnambool - 4:15pm

Under 17 Boys

Saturday July 6th @ Reid Oval, Warrnambool - 2:00pm

Under 19 Womens

Saturday July 6th @ Reid Oval, Warrnambool - 12:00pm

The McDonalds Ballarat FNL invites past players, officials and supporters to this year's BFNL Interleague Reunion.

The reunion will be held at Saxon House on Saturday the 17th of August from 1pm as Redan host North Ballarat at City Oval.

Those wishing to attend can RSVP to Brendan Mason at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0403 045 839.

There is also a Facebook group for past players and supporters to keep up to date with any news, share memories and stay in touch with past members.

The McDonalds Ballarat FNL is pleased to announce its fixtures for the 2024 junior football and netball competitions.

Find full competition dates and fixtures via the downloadable links below:

Football & Netball

Football & Netball

Football

The BFNL celebrated its night of nights for its junior competitions as we crowned all the amazing achievements of our junior footballers and netballers from the 2024 season.

Under 13 Senior Netball Best & Fairest

Winner: Pippa Edwards - Redan FNC

Runners-Up: Keisha Momcilovic - Bacchus Marsh FNC & Ruby Westhead - Darley FNC

Under 13 Senior Netball MVP

Amarni Daws - Sepastopol FNC

Under 13 Senior Football Leading Goal Kicker

Jack Ward - North Ballarat FNC - 24 goals

Under 13 Senior Football Best & Fairest - The Lloyd Sims Trophy

Winner: Jack Ward - North Ballarat FNC

Runner-Up: Joseph Knobel - Redan FNC

Under 13 Senior Football Robert Allen Medal

Jack Ward - North Ballarat FNC

Under 15 Senior Netball Best & Fairest

Winner: Lucy Phyland-McClure - Bacchus Marsh FNC

Runners-Up: Mikayla Tito - Darley FNC & Audrey Murnane - North Ballarat FNC

Under 15 Senior Netball MVP

Lucy Phyland-McClure - Bacchus Marsh FNC

Under 15 Senior Football Leading Goal Kicker

Tyler Borg - Bacchus Marsh FNC - 41 goals

Under 15 Senior Football Best & Fairest - The Keith Rawle Memorial Trophy

Winners: Harrison Welsh - Redan FNC & Tyler Borg - Bacchus Marsh FNC

Runner-Up: Billy O'Kelly - Mount Clear FNC

Under 15 Senior Football Robert Allen Medal

Harrison Welsh - Redan FNC

Under 17 Senior Netball Best & Fairest

Winner: Lily Woodland-Boyanton - East Point FNC

Runner-Up: Elizabeth Morrison - Redan FNC

Under 17 Senior Netball MVP

Ebony Porter - North Ballarat FNC

Under 17 Senior Football Leading Goal Kicker

Lachlan Martin - Redan FNC - 45 goals

Under 17 Senior Football Best & Fairest - The Gordon Wise Memorial Trophy

Winner: Ray Glover - Mount Clear FNC

Runners-Up: Armi Wakefield - Bacchus Marsh FNC & Oliver Pittard - Redan FNC

Under 17 Senior Football Robert Allen Medal

Ray Glover - Mount Clear FNC
Jacob Martin - Bacchus Marsh FNC
Jackson McInerney - North Ballarat FNC

Merv and Mary Howard Memorial Shield for Junior Club Champions

North Ballarat FNC

School Sports Victoria Awards

Embley Jenkins - North Ballarat FNC
Xavier Cummins - North Ballarat FNC
Charlie Clarke - Lake Wednouree FNC
Michael Hughes - North Ballarat FNC

Junior Netball Coach of the Year

Damien Mullane - Redan FNC

Junior Football Coach of the Year

Tim McKay - Redan FNC

Junior Netball Coordinator of the Year

Megan Dunster - Darley FNC

Junior Football Coordinator of the Year

Brodie Doolan - Woady Yaloak FNC

The Ballarat Football Netball League would like to wish the following players, coaches and umpires good luck for the upcoming Association Championships which will be played this Sunday the 2^nd of June 2024 at Selkirk Stadium.

The Association Championships provide BFNL the opportunity to compete in a crucial part of the Netball Victoria pathway.

This is a tournament style day where players, coaches and umpires will be involved in many games across the day.

There are talent identification opportunities for athletes, umpires and coaches across the day.

Good luck to the following:

17 & Under BFNL Representative Netball Players

Penny Follett – North Ballarat

Ebony Porter – North Ballarat

Eva Manserra - Redan

Maggie Harris – East Point

Addison Funcke – Lake Wendouree

Ava Richardson - Ballarat

Bridgette O’Brien - Redan

Arna Howard - Redan

Kate Aikman – North Ballarat

Audrey Domaille – Lake Wendouree

Ella Litras – Redan

Maia Murphy – Ballarat

Brooklyn Metcalfe – Storm

Alexandra Harris – Darley

Milly Vallance – North Ballarat

Georgia Hayne – Storm

Grace Jackson – Ballarat

Lily Geddes – North Ballarat

Tess Geljon – East Point

Abby Kinnersly – East Point

Scarlett Clayton – Darley

15 & Under BFNL Representative Netball Players

Gabriella Stanley – Mount Clear

Tessa Wilson – Mount Clear

Keira McDonald – Ballarat

Ashlee Beseler – North Ballarat

Nathalia Jenkins – North Ballarat

Maggie Smith – Lake Wendouree

Emme Moore – Lake Wendouree

Audrey Murnane – North Ballarat

Lucy Phyland-McClure – Bacchus Marsh

Milla Rundell – Lake Wendouree

Lyla Sheehan – Lake Wendouree

Hayley Jackson – Ballarat

Taylor Young – North Ballarat

Lily Constable – North Ballarat

Mackenzie McMahon – Ballarat

Tiarnee Smith – Darley

Leni Svanosio – North Ballarat

Alice Glover – Mount Clear

Scarlett Jones – Mount Clear

13 & Under BFNL Representative Netball Players

Ella Manley – Storm

Embly Jenkins – North Ballarat

Eimear Toye – North Ballarat

Sadie Jones – North Ballarat

Olivia Macdonald – North Ballarat

Freya Loong – Bacchus Marsh

Pippa Edwards – Redan

Evie Martin – East Point

Felicity McGrath – East Point

Sabra Wilkie – Lake Wendouree

Tayla Hiscock – East Point

Lola Roney – East Point

Olive Heagney – North Ballarat

Charlotte Box – Storm

Sienna Goonan – Mount Clear

Mila Kearney – North Ballarat

Julia Justin – East Point

Mia Barclay – Redan

Marley Jose – Redan

Arli Ripper – North Ballarat

Coaches 

Prue Douglass – North Ballarat

Damien Mullane - Redan

Courtney Mclean – Lake Wendouree

Olivia Loader – Lake Wendouree

Katie Keighrey – Lake Wendouree

Lisa James - BFNL

Dakoda Emery – Lake Wendouree

Leah Macdonald - BFNL

Kirsty McLean - BFNL

Umpires 

Hannah Lavin - Redan

Bella Cavallo – North Ballarat

Larissa Kydd - BFNL

Rowie Anderson - Redan

Isabella Thomson - BFNL

Amy Waters - BFNL

The Ballarat Football Netball League is pleased to announce the lineup of 2024 Representative Netball Coaches.

Listed below are the coaches who will be leading each of the teams:

17 & Under

Championship Team: Prue Douglass

Development Team: Courtney Mclean

15 & Under

Championship Team: Katie Keighrey (coach) assisted be Lisa James (Assistant Coach)

Development Team: Dakoda Emery

13 & Under

Championship Team: Leah Macdonald

Trials are set to be held in November with dates to be advised soon, but players can nominate now at the link below. Player nominations closing date is the 7th of November2023.

The Ballarat Football Netball League is proud to announce the BFNL Representative Netball Squads for the 2024 season.

Congratulations to all the athletes selected and good luck for the upcoming year.

Find the full squads below:

17 & Under Champ Team

Coach: Prue Douglass – North Ballarat 

Penny Follett – North Ballarat

Ebony Porter – North Ballarat

Eva Manserra – Redan

Maggie Harris – East Point

Addison Funke – Lake Wendouree

Ava Richardson – Ballarat Swans

Bridgette O’Brien – Redan

Arna Howard – Redan

Kate Aikman – North Ballarat

Audrey Domaille – Lake Wendouree

Ella Litras – Redan

17 & Under Reserve Team

Coach: Courtney Mclean – Lake Wendouree

Alexandra Harris – Darley

Maia Murphy – Ballarat Swans

Milly Vallance – Mount Clear

Lily Geddes – North Ballarat

Grace Jackson – Ballarat Swans

Brooklyn Metcalfe – Storm

Georgia Hayne – Storm

Tess Geljon – East Point

Abby Kinnersly – East Point

Scarlett Clayton – Darley

15 & Under Champ Team

Coach: Katie Keighrey – Lake Wendouree

Assistant Coach: Lisa James – Ballarat Swans

Gabriella Stanley – Mount Clear

Tessa Wilson – Mount Clear

Keira McDonald – Ballarat Swans

Ashlee Beseler – North Ballarat

Nathalia Jenkins – Ballarat Swans

Maggie Smith – Lake Wendouree

Emme Moore – Lake Wendouree

Audrey Murnane – North Ballarat

Lucy Phyland-McClure – Bacchus Marsh

Milla Rundell – Lake Wendouree

15 & Under Reserve Team

Coach: Dakoda Emery – Lake Wendouree

Lyla Sheehan – Lake Wendouree

Hayley Jackson – Ballarat Swans

Taylor Young – North Ballarat

Emmy Holloway – Lake Wendouree

Lily Constable – North Ballarat

Mackenzie McMahon – Ballarat Swans

Tiarnee Smith – Darley

Leni Svanosio – North Ballarat

Alice Glover – Mount Clear

Scarlett Jones – Mount Clear

13 & Under Champ Team

Coach: Leah Macdonald - Redan

Ella Manley – Storm

Embly Jenkins – Ballarat Swans

Eimear Toye – North Ballarat

Sadie Jones – North Ballarat

Olivia Macdonald – Redan

Freya Loong – Bacchus Marsh

Pippa Edwards – Redan

Evie Martin – East Point

Felicity McGrath – East Point

13 & Under Reserve Team

Coach: Kirsty McLean – Ballarat Swans

Tayla Hiscock – East Point

Lola Roney – East Point

Olive Heagney – North Ballarat

Charlotte Box – Storm

Sienna Goonan – Mount Clear

Mila Kearney – North Ballarat

Julia Justin – East Point

Mia Barclay – Redan

Sabra Wilkie – Lake Wendouree

Marley Jose – Redan

Arli Ripper – North Ballarat

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:Dan Jordan

Previous Experience/Accolades: Former Essendon AFL Assistant Coach (Essendon 2020-21), BFNL Hall of Fame Member, Darley 2023 BFNL Premiership Coach

ON THE RECORD

SCOOP: Firstly Dan, congratulations on your flag success just two years in with the Devils. To win virtually out of a pigeon shed with home ground renovations going on suggests the group is pretty tight and able to maintain focus (won last 10 games on the trot). Rate the nature of the group given your 20+ years in footy...

DAN JORDAN: Regarding facilities - It’s what you make of it, the 'home' is essentially the group and the people within it, we think we're well led and endeavouring to be well connected. We try to focus more on the 'what haves' than the 'have nots' and allow people to feel comfortable being themselves. We think they're the key ingredients to being a good club, not the physical facilities.

SCOOP: You said dealing with expectation after two finals in 2022 would ask questions of your relatively young group. Surely defending a flag comes with its own level of raised expectation. How as a coach do you go about restoring motivation and the need to improve? 

DJ: Expectations are more often external. We welcome the challenge being the hunted and are keen to stand up. The group enjoyed the successes of last year but are well aware of the work that is required to achieve. We'll need a bit of luck with injuries etc along the way and are hopeful being in the mix for a top three finish.

SCOOP: You'll have to get it done this year primarily without Mace Cousins (Geelong VFL), ruckman Lucas Impey (Western Jets) and experienced multiple premiership winning trio Shane Page, Darren Leonard and Jacob Zeestraaten. Page is the big out given he's barely 30. Soldier out, soldier in doesn't fit the Page solution. Has he simply had enough?

DJ: Teams are always evolving - it's very rare you have the same side from one year into the next. I'm excited for the opportunity that has opened up for a few of our youngsters. On (Shane) Page, he's reached a time in his footy where he thinks he's got nothing left to give. We'd love to have him around the club in some fashion.

SCOOP: There's no ceiling on what impact a fit and healthy Brady Wright (6'4') can deliver for the group. Where does he fit into the mould given he's a 'rare' tall among your best 22?  

DJ: We're hoping Brady can play a Darren Leonard type role for us but we won't be rushing him given he's coming off a significant injury. While a slow integration is more likely we're excited about Brady's prospects. He's added more size and strength and we know he can certainly play.   

SCOOP: You've had a relatively quiet off-season in the marketplace. Has that been by design, or has it been difficult to find the piece(s) you're after?

DJ: Bit of both. Our priority was re-signing all of our (available) players from last year’s grand final so the focus will be on improvement within.

IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS

DJ: Flexibility, adaptability, connection, pride, avenues to goal.

PROJECTED IMPROVEMENT

DJ: Young guys challenging selection - finals are often won on the back of 'bottom six' contributions.

Progression of our mid-tier players impacting games. Top end is sound. 

MOST UNDER AND OVERRATED STAT IN TODAY'S BFNL FOOTY

Goalkicking accuracy – Underrated, Clearances – Overrated, the 'nature of' is more important.

PRE-SEASON TRAINING

DJ: Came back late due to Grand Final appearance. We'll ramp it up pretty quick - the players are familiar with what is required. In 2022 we worked on building fitness, 2023 teaching and now 2024 will endeavour tinkering with the plan for improvement.

PLAYER INS

Mikey Edwards (Banyule), likely more to come.

PLAYER OUTS

Darren Leonard (Retired), Shane Page (Retired), Jacob Zeestraaten (Retired), Blake Colley (Ballan), Trae Van Leith (Ballan), Billy Sullivan (Melton).

VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS

Mace Cousins (Geelong), Bailey Young (Footscray), Lucas Impey (Williamstown), Joel Cadman (Port Melbourne training), Mitch Ward (Port Melbourne training), Will Johnson (Geelong training), Adam Azzopardi (Geelong training)

THE DRAW

SCOOP: It is a tougher H&A assignment in store for the reigning premiers. Get 4/5 remaining finalists from last year twice - Melton, North Ballarat, Sebastopol and East Point - also likely improvers Sunbury and Bacchus Marsh. A season of two halves really for Dan Jordan's men with just two games (Melton South and Lake Wendouree) in five weeks through the middle stages of the season from June 2^nd to July 12^th. Expect a testing season ahead for the new benchmark premiers who remain unbeaten in their previous 10 BFNL games. The Devils would be happy with a top three finish ahead of finals.

PRACTICE MATCH SCHEDULE

March 23 v Rowville (H)

April 6 v Lara (A)

IMPROVERS TIP (OUTSIDE OF DARLEY)

DJ: East Point and Ballarat

FLAG TIP (OUTSIDE OF DARLEY)

DJ: North Ballarat - more improvement to come.