Ballarat FNC

With preseason preparations well under way and Round 1 fast approaching, Scoop goes one-on-one with all 11 senior coaches ahead of the 2023 McDonalds BFNL season.

CLUB: Sebastopol

COACH: Luke Kiel & Michael Columbrio (1st season)

2022 Home & Away Record: 3rd (10-6, 115.80%)

Scoop: Congrats on your appointment at Sebastopol, Luke. When did you think coaching was an avenue you would like to pursue?

Luke Kiel: 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 Co-Coach Michael Columbrio.

S: 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?

LK: Keeping the current group together first and foremost. Players who have the ability to cover the ground and not turn the ball over have been on our radar.

S: Your inspirational leader, Tony Locker, has had two surgeries to mend a syndesmosis injury sustained in last year’s finals series – how is he tracking along?

LK: 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.

S: You lose ruck 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 previous runners-up years?

LK: It's hard to tell. I'd like to think we've done everything right so far to give us every chance of success.

S: Can you tell us what will Burras footy look like under Luke Kiel and Michael Columbrio?

LK: We want to be more attacking with our ball movement and hit the scoreboard more.

S: What are some of the identified strengths of the club?

LK: Disciplined and hard working.

S: Where do you expect to see your projected improvement come from?

LK: To start well. Our opening five games are a real focus for us.

S: How has pre-season training looked?

LK: We've never trained harder in my time at the club.

S: Who do you expect to be the biggest improvers this year? (Outside of your club)

LK: Sunbury

S: Who is your flag tip? (Outside of your club)

LK: Melton are still the team to beat, Darley next.

KEY INS:

Jesse Clark (Werribee VFL), Jay Dahlhaus (Werribee VFL), Liam Latch (Maryborough), Nicholas Sanders (St Josephs), Ryan Birthesel (St Josephs), Cameron Jackson (Bungaree)

PLAYER OUTS:

J.Richards (Overseas), B.Trew (Injury)

VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS:

J.Clark (Werribee), J.Dahlhaus (Werribee)

Scoop's Sebastopol prediction: 1st - 2nd

With preseason preparations well under way and Round 1 fast approaching, Scoop goes one-on-one with all 11 senior coaches ahead of the 2023 McDonalds BFNL season.

CLUB: Sunbury

COACH: Travis Hodgson (5th Season)

2022 Home & Away Record: 9th (5-11, 100.78%)

Scoop: Trav, after 1-4 starts your previous two seasons at the Lions, what gives you the confidence we won't see a repeat?

Travis Hodgson: 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.

S: Tell us about the newbies and their roles – Josiah Garisto, Rivva Karpany and Cody Brand. What can they add to the group?

TH: Josiah and Rivva are both 27 years old and we felt we needed to add some experience to the age profile of our group. Josiah is a strong bodied, rebounding defender with standout leadership qualities while Rivva is a versatile, extremely talented X-factor small forward. Cody 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.

S: Despite being only one of two 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?

TH: 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. Lack of experience I thought played a role.

S: 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?

TH: Having Mitch, Josh and Jack full-time is a great starting point when it comes to selection. We played 44 players last year - 30 odd would be more conducive to the continuity we believe is required to succeed.

S: While you're an experienced coach at this level, after a 21 win and 22 loss record at Sunbury since 2019, what have you learned during this time in charge?

TH: It's a good reminder it takes time with kids. I had a side in the Ovens and Murray a while ago who went at a 50 per cent 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.

S: What are some of the identified strengths of the club?

TH: Solid back six, good behind the ball. Tyson Lever and Harry Minton-Connell ran first and second in our Best and Fairest off half back. That speaks for itself.

S: Where do you expect to see your projected improvement come from?

TH: Better balanced up forward with Cody Brand as a tall option and Rivva Karpany as a dangerous goalkicking small forward. Also having Josh Guthrie and Mitch Lewis full time should see progressive improvement in the group.

S: How has pre-season training looked?

TH: Been solid. We're more advanced and fitter, having brought everything forward with an aim to start well.

S: Who do you expect to be the biggest improvers this year? (Outside of your club)

TH: North Ballarat to resemble more of 2021.

S: Who is your flag tip? (Outside of your club)

Sebastopol.

KEY INS:

J. Garisto (Aberfeldie), R. Karpany (Coburg), C. Brand (Essendon)

PLAYER OUTS:

J. Eales (Kyneton), D. Toman (Woodend), H. Ross (Riddell)

VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS:

J. Sutton (Essendon), H. Minton-Connell (Essendon), C. Bramble (Box Hill).

Scoop's Sunbury prediction: 4th - 6th

We continue the countdown to the senior season with Scoop's club-by-club predictions for Ballarat. The Swans have a superstar new signing in three-time Hawthorn Premiership player Josh Gibson who, along with 2019 league leading goalkicker Andrew Hooper, will cause plenty of headaches for opposition teams. But coach Joe Carmody insists there's more to the Swans than Hoops and Gibbo.

Ballarat

Scoop's 2021 prediction: 8th - 10th

EXPECT Ballarat to play their part in the overall improvement of BFNL action in 2021 given the club’s marquee signing of former Hawthorn champion Josh Gibson.

According to coach Joe Carmody, Gibson could not have been more impressive in the lead up to round one.

"Gibbo hasn't missed a session," he said.

"He's been excellent."

While the equation for opposition sides to overcome Ballarat this year appears problematic enough in its simplest form (stop Hooper, avoid Gibson = win), Carmody is adamant there are more strings to the Swans bow.

Despite a lowly 2019 performance that yielded just three wins and a draw, the Swans are confident they can turn the tables on some results that didn't go their way. The Swans lost five and a half games by 18 points or less and were in the hunt despite the final score against Sebastopol (Rd 1 - 21 points) and Darley (Rd 18 - 51 points). But outside a few near misses and three wins, the Swans were belted for the most part of the last season played, struggling with a growing injury list to key players.

Mitch Martin, Sam James, Nick Weightman, Lachie Dawson and Keenan Mellington missed 52 games between them, exposing the Swans youth and (lack of) experience. Even Andrew Hooper, who was the BFNL leading goalkicker in 2019 (41 goals) played with debilitating injuries (ribs, calf) but somehow managed to play every game deep in the forward line.

Swans coach Joe Carmody's philosophy in 2021 is simple.

"We just want to be able to turn up and compete for longer, regardless of the opposition," he said.

"Last season (2019) we were good for 15 minutes a quarter, but leaked goals too easily thereafter.

"Thankfully, all of our boys are over their injuries and haven't missed a beat over the summer.

"And Hoops (Andrew) is going around again for us, which is terrific, and we're hopeful he can thrive with an injury-free run and more support (forward)."

The Swans welcome key forward Jake Dunne (Buninyong) to bolster their options in the air inside 50, while Mitch Bishop (key back) returns from a lay off and is likely to play an important role in aiding Gibson and Bailey Van de Heuvel who was the 'go to' man in defence last season. Nathan Patrikeos (Waubra) will add some body strength through the midfield in the absence of Keegan Mellington (who remains doubtful) and Lachie Dawson (likely to be call up for Footscray VFL duties). Former Ballarat Rebel and (then) TAC Cup leading tap ruckman Pat Glandford (6’2 - solid build) will play the relief role for 2019 Club Best and Fairest winner Marcus Powling.

"It's pretty exciting for us," Carmody said.

"Our group has plenty in the 21- to 22-year-old range, and with 40 to 50 games under their belts and four or five pre-seasons, they look like men now and are ready to have a significant impact."

Keegan Mellington (doubtful), Jesse Nicholls and Jed Hill are the notable absentees for 2021.

*Affiliated players: Lachie Dawson (Footscray VFL)

Carmody's Tips

Ballarat takes on Bacchus Marsh on Saturday at 2.15pm at Maddingley Park

 CLUB: BALLARAT

COACH: Joe Carmody

FOR THE RECORD

(Scoop):There's a bit of hype around Ballarat's chances in 2022 - how do you think you're shaping up?

(Joe): Our midfield depth is as good as it's ever been - Domic, Kennedy, James, Powling. Our back six are also strong. The focus is on developing more avenues to goal (other than Hooper). Achieve this and it would be fair to say we'll be dangerous.

(Scoop):I have to ask how Josh Gibson, Andrew Hooper, and exciting newcomer Aiden Domic are travelling?

(Joe): Gibson has had a considered build-up and is moving well. We'll start to ramp up his work over the coming weeks - he'll be right to go Round One against the Cobras. Hooper is the fittest I’ve seen this time of year. He’s injury-free (from) post wrist surgery (last year). Domic’s looking good; an aerobic beast strong both inside and out and extremely versatile.

(Scoop):Since 2018 the Swans have won just once (1-8) on the road outside of Ballarat. You have Bacchus Marsh (Rd1), Darley (Rd7) and Sunbury (Rd11) down the highway this year. How do you go about changing the narrative? These games could make or break you, given your tough rated draw....

(Joe): The players have more experience on the road now so we're hopeful a growing belief, confidence level and developed mindset will hold us in good stead. There'll be no excuses.

IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS

(Joe): Leg speed, ball movement and our ability to change angles. Also, our team defence held up really well last year and we're expecting more of the same again in 2022.

IMPROVEMENTS

(Joe): Depth. Our younger guys have just scratched the surface with 20-plus games under their belts. We're confident there's plenty of upside with this group.

PRE-SEASON TRAINING

(Joe): Good. We've done a lot, especially over the last five weeks with match simulation. Jack Dunne (calf) and Inji Fyfe (hamstring) are our only injury concerns ahead of Round One.

DRAW COMMENTS

(Joe): Tough one first up on the road as we tend to struggle down there (Bacchus Marsh). Otherwise, it's pretty even across the board for us.

PLAYER INS:

Aiden Domic (Werribee) - gun mid, has the bulk of Lachie George, runs like Alik Magin. James Clark (GWV Rebels) - half forward/wing, will play mostly Rebels. Nick Swain (Anglesea) - half back, Mitch Martin like-for-like replacement. Tom Mooney (Glenroy EDFL) - third tall forward option, good competitor. Jesse Nicholls (SMW Rovers) - relief ruck, key back. Angus Bade (GWV Rebels) - key back/mid at 194cm, will play mostly Rebels. Inji Fyfe (Bendigo Pioneers/Old Scotch VAFA) - wing/flanker, pacy two-way runner.

PLAYER OUTS:

Mitch Martin (work-WA), Pat Glandford (Springbank)

VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS:

Bailey Van de Heuvel (Footscray), Angus Bade (Footscray)

BALLARAT PASS MARK

(Joe): Finals

IMPROVERS (OUTSIDE OF BALLARAT):

(Joe): Darley

FLAG TIP (OUTSIDE OF BALLARAT):

(Joe): Melton

BFNL media writer 'Scoop' has crunched the numbers on the proposed 2021 season draw, revealing who are the winners and who has drawn the wrath of the footy gods. Over the next few weeks, Scoop will deliver a deep dive into the season ahead for your club.

Redan can savour a second successive #1 rated draw, while Bacchus Marsh (#2) and Darley (#3) can breathe a sigh of relief having fared well according to the formulated study.

Melton (#11) appear to have copped the wrath of the footy gods with five 'away' highway trips to Ballarat, not to mention double-up meetings with four finalists from 2019, including Grand Final duo East Point and Sebastopol.

While Melton South's (#6) Ballarat travel diary mirrors the Bloods, the draw around that looks far more favourable for a team expected to rise. As for the reigning dual Premiers East Point (#8), they copped a draw worthy of a team aiming for a three-peat. Sebastopol (#4) will enjoy a dream run in the final third of their season, while North Ballarat (#5) fared next best out of brick city. With scope for improvement both on and off field, the Rooster’s draw sees them in the mix for a sneaky finals berth.

Lake Wendouree (#7) and more-so Ballarat (#10) appear to have the job ahead of them according to the formula, despite their marquee signings. Flag challengers, Sunbury (#9), finished mid-to-low table with the draw after a difficult rating in 2019. Tough luck for the Lions who’s 2020 draw (#4) was looking bright but, alas, COVID...

Analytics aside for a brief moment, how good is it - footy's back (well nearly)!

EASIEST TO HARDEST 2021 DRAW

1. Redan - 94

2. Bacchus Marsh - 97

3. Darley - 98

4. Sebastopol- 100

5. North Ballarat - 101

6. Melton South - 103

7. Lake Wendouree - 104

8. East Point - 105

9. Sunbury - 107

10. Ballarat - 109

11. Melton - 110

SEASON 2019 Ladder

1. East Point

2. Sebastopol

3. Melton

4. Redan

5. Darley

6. Sunbury

7. North Ballarat

8. Bacchus Marsh

9. Lake Wendouree

10. Ballarat

11. Melton South

(Draw ranking points are determined by 2018 & 2019 numbers, projected improvement, this year's travel and who your team plays twice.)

The McDonalds Ballarat FNL, in partnership with Ballarat Toyota is proud to promote the Toyota Good for Footy program to support community clubs in our league.

Toyota Good for Footy is Toyota's grassroots footy program. Toyota has helped clubs raise over $7 million since 2008 through the program and helped over 500 local clubs from every state and territory.

To buy tickets and support your local community club, follow this link here.

There has been plenty of movement around the league ahead of a blockbuster 2023 season. Find all the additions to your club below thanks to Quest Ballarat.

Bacchus Marsh

N/A

Ballarat

Carisbrook

N/A

Darley

East Point

Lake Wendouree

N/A

Melton

N/A

Melton South

North Ballarat

N/A

Redan

N/A

Sebastopol

N/A

Sunbury

N/A

The League in conjunction with the City of Ballarat has made a venue change for this Saturday’s Junior Football & Netball Qualifying Finals.

As a result of the current condition of Wendouree Reserve, the decision has been made to move Saturday’s games to Northern Oval 2, ensuring the ground does not deteriorate further ahead of Sunday’s Elimination Finals. The venue change includes all netball matches which will now be played on the North Ballarat netball courts.

The schedule for matches on Sunday will remain as originally fixtured. Please see below this weekend’s match schedules.

Entry Details

Saturday 20^th August

• North Ballarat Sports Club Gate
• Note: STRICTLY NO PARKING IN NORTH BALLARAT SPORTS CLUB CAR PARKS
• Wendouree Reserve / Northern Oval 2 Gate
• The double gate between the Wendouree Reserve and Northern Oval 2 will be open to allow attendees the ability to utilise parking around Wendouree Reserve and for those that may enter off Dowling Street.

Sunday 21^st August

• North Ballarat Sports Club Gate
• Note: STRICTLY NO PARKING IN NORTH BALLARAT SPORTS CLUB CAR PARKS
• Wendouree Reserve – Enter via Dowling Street.

Admission Fees

Admission fees now come into effect for all BFNL Junior Finals matches. Fees are as follows:

BFNL Junior Finals 2022

• Adults - $10
• Family (2 adults & 2 children) - $25
• Age Pensioner - $5
• 8 - 16yo - $5
• U/8 – Free

Admission fees provide entry to ALL BFLW and JUNIOR games on the same day. Please ensure you obtain a passout when leaving to obtain entry at another venue.

Following a successful return to senior finals after a three-year wait, the McDonald's Ballarat FNL is pleased to announce details of Week Two of the Carlton Draught Senior Finals series. 

In football, Semi Final Two, and the chance to progress directly to the 2022 Carlton Draught Grand Final will be held at Macpherson Park, Melton on Saturday 3rdSeptember 2022 following the success of the debut at this venue. Semi Final One will be held at City Oval, Ballarat on Sunday 4thSeptember 2022. 

Netball will see a slight variation with Semi Final One to be held at Macpherson Park, Melton Saturday 3rdSeptember and Semi Final Two, and the chance for Grand Final progression to be held Sunday 4thSeptember. 

Melton will have the chance to grab a Grand Final berth should they win Saturday; however, Sebastopol will be a formidable opponent standing in their way. In the other semi-final, Darley will travel to Ballarat and take on the Swans at City Oval, the scene of their nail-biting one-point win over the reigning premiers last week. 

With a full card of netball across both days and record crowds in Week One, the excitement continues to build as we head towards the 2022 Carlton Draught Grand Final on Saturday 17thSeptember. 

You can see the path to the Grand Final below and find the full schedule for Week Two of the 2022 Carlton Draught Finals Series below. Want to download the schedule? Hit the button at the end of the article or do what we do and make an easy link on our phone by selecting Add to Home Screen under the web address.