Ballarat Storm FNC

See all the winners and Best & Fairest leaderboards from the 2022 McDelivery BFLW Awards.

The McDonald’s Ballarat Football Netball League held its 2022 McDelivery BFLW Presentation Night at the North Ballarat Sports Club on Monday night. Around 300 people celebrated the 2022 BFLW home-and-away season at the Awards, with many others joining us via the event live stream.

Congratulations to all of the 2022 Awards winners, which are listed below:

2022 McDelivery Leading Goal Kicker Awards

• Under 14 Junior Girls - Miah Bradbury - Bacchus Marsh - 27 goals
• Under 16 Youth Girls - Jazmine Dalli - Bacchus Marsh – 26 goals
• Under 18 Youth Girls - Kylah Thompson - North Ballarat & Mollie Tigchelaar - North Ballarat – 17 goals
• Women - Kim Bessell - Darley – 51 goals

2022 McDelivery Under 14 Junior Girls Awards

• Best & Fairest - Lara Johnson – Darley – 25 Votes
• Runner-Up – Anika Tran - Bacchus Marsh – 20 Votes
• Rising Star Award - Miah Bradbury - Bacchus Marsh

BFLW McDelivery Under 14 Junior Girls Team of the Year

2022 McDelivery Under 16 Youth Girls Awards

• Best & Fairest - Isabella Davies - North Ballarat – 25 Votes
• Runner-Up – Elise Cook - Bacchus Marsh – 24 Votes
• Rookie of the Year Award - Grace Morton - Lake Wendouree

BFLW McDelivery Under 16 Youth Girls Team of the Year

2022 McDelivery BFLW Coach of the Year Award

• Simone McNeight – East Point Dragons

2022 McDelivery BFLW Coordinator of the Year Award

• Leanne Bassett – Bacchus Marsh

2022 McDelivery Under 18 Youth Girls Awards

• Best & Fairest - Bindi Crabtree – Redan – 19 Votes
• Runner-Up – Lillee Barendsen – Ballarat
• Rookie of the Year Award - Tara McBean - Carisbrook

BFLW McDelivery Under 18 Youth Girls – Team of the Year

2022 McDelivery Women’s Awards

• Best & Fairest - Lori Stepnell – Redan – 21 Votes
• Runner-Up – Zoe Larkins – Redan – 15 Votes

BFLW McDelivery Women’s – Team of the Year

The McDonald's Ballarat FNL is pleased to announce the details of Week Three of the Carlton Draught Finals Series. 

After a thrilling one-point victory at City Oval, Ballarat moves through to the Preliminary Final to play Sebastopol in a blockbuster game. The winner will progress to the 2022 Carlton Draught Senior Men's Grand Final to take on Melton. 

In what has been a thrilling A-Grade Netball finals series, Redan will have Darley to contend with as we wait to see who will face North Ballarat in the 2022 Carlton Draught A-Grade Grand Final.

Preliminary Final day will be held at City Oval, Ballarat with, netball to kick off at 9:00AM and football from 9:55AM. 

The extraordinary talent of our junior footballers and netballers across the McDonald's Ballarat FNL was on show last night at the 2022 Robert Allan Medal Awards presentation.

The McDonald’s Ballarat Football Netball League held its 2022 Robert Allan Medal Presentation Night at the North Ballarat Sports Club last night. With all clubs in attendance, around 300 people celebrated the 2022 BFNL Junior Football & Netball home-and-away season. 

Congratulations to all the winners on the night, which are listed below: 

Buxton Ballarat Junior Football Goal Kicking Awards 

2022 McDonald's Ballarat Under 13 Seniors 

• Winner:Emerton Hooper, Ballarat Storm FNC - 31 Goals 

2022 Harmac Homes Under 15 Seniors 

• Winner:Lincoln Koliba, Lake Wendouree FNC - 40 Goals 

2022 McCafé Under 17 Seniors 

• Winner:Strahan Robinson, East Point JFNC - 47 Goals 

Best & Fairest Awards

 13 & Under Senior Netball Best & Fairest 

• Runner Up:Makayla Wright (Sebastopol) - 25 votes 
• Winner:Jasmine Matthews (Darley) - 30 votes 

Under 13 Football Best & Fairest – The Lloyd Sims Trophy 

• Runners Up:James Sheehan (Storm) - 22 votes 
• Winner:Emerton Hooper (Storm) - 23 votes 

15 & Under Senior Netball Best & Fairest 

• Runners Up:Mia Hayes (Darley) - 20 votes 
• Winners:Charlotte Cross (Ballarat) - 23 votes 

Under 15 Football Best & Fairest – The Keith Rawle Memorial Trophy 

• Runner Up:Harley Hicks (Lake Wendouree) - 25 votes 
• Winner:Baxter Horsburgh (North Ballarat) - 30 votes

17 & Under Senior Netball B & F 

• Runner Up:Jane McKinnis (Redan) - 22 votes 
• Winner:Addison Wright (Darley) - 24 votes 

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

• Runner Up:Jack Kovacevic (Bacchus Marsh) - 16 votes 
• Winner:Joshua Huxtable (Bacchus Marsh) - 20 votes 

Robert Allan Medals and Netball MVP Presentations 

13 & Under Senior Netball – Most Valuable Player Award 

• Winner:Audrey Murnane (North Ballarat) – 8 Votes 

Under 13 Senior Robert Allan Medal 

• Winner:Emerton Hooper (Storm) – 28 Votes 

15 & Under Senior Netball – Most Valuable Player Award 

• Winners:Ella Litras (Redan) & Maggie Harris (East Point) – 9 Votes 

Under 15 Senior Robert Allan Medal 

• Winner:Harley Hicks (Lake Wendouree) – 22 Votes 

17 & Under Senior Netball – Most Valuable Player Award 

• Winner:Laila Lappin (Redan) – 8 Votes 

Under 17 Senior Robert Allan Medal 

• Winner:Khy Jess (Redan) – 14 Votes 

Coordinator of The Year Awards 

Junior Football Coordinator of The Year Award: 

Shannon Closter – Darley Junior FNC 

Junior Netball Coordinator of The Year Award: 

Jill James - Lake Wendouree FNC 

Coach of The Year Awards 

Junior Football Coach of the Year Award: 

Simon Geljon – East Point Junior FNC 

Junior Netball Coach of the Year Award: 

Meg Porter – North Ballarat FNC 

Ballarat FNL Interleague & Representative Coach Recognition 

Football Interleague Coaches 

• U/13 Coach – Scott Petrie & Simon Geljon 
• U/14 Coach – Michael Dwyer 
• U/15 Coach – Tim Beacham 
• U/16 Coach – Simon Remington 

Netball Representative Coaches 

• 13 & Under Coach – Kate McMahon 
• 15 & Under Coach – Di McCormack 
• 17 & Under Coach – Prue Douglass & Damien Mullane 

The Merv & Mary Howard Memorial Junior Club Championship 

• Winner:Redan JFNC 

Special Presentation to Junior Footballers & Netballers 

2022 NAB AFL National Development Championships - U16 Boys 

• Oliver Hannaford - East Point 
• Archie Caldow - East Point 
• Samuel Lalor - Bacchus Marsh 
• Jonty Faull - Redan 
• Lucca Grego - Bacchus Marsh 
• Jack Ough - East Point 

2022 Victorian Under 15 School Sports Team 

• Dylan Hiscock - East Point 

See all the votes for your club from the 2022 McDonald's Ballarat FNL Junior Netball and Football Best & Fairest.

13 & Under Senior Netball Best & Fairest 

• Runner Up:Makayla Wright (Sebastopol) - 25 votes 
• Winner:Jasmine Matthews (Darley) - 30 votes 

Under 13 Football Best & Fairest – The Lloyd Sims Trophy 

• Runners Up:James Sheehan (Storm) - 22 votes 
• Winner:Emerton Hooper (Storm) - 23 votes 

15 & Under Senior Netball Best & Fairest 

• Runners Up:Mia Hayes (Darley) - 20 votes 
• Winners:Charlotte Cross (Ballarat) - 23 votes 

Under 15 Football Best & Fairest – The Keith Rawle Memorial Trophy 

• Runner Up:Harley Hicks (Lake Wendouree) - 25 votes 
• Winner:Baxter Horsburgh (North Ballarat) - 30 votes 

17 & Under Senior Netball Best & Fairest 

• Runner Up:Jane McKinnis (Redan) - 22 votes 
• Winner:Addison Wright (Darley) - 24 votes 

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

• Runner Up:Jack Kovacevic (Bacchus Marsh) - 16 votes 
• Winner:Joshua Huxtable (Bacchus Marsh) - 20 votes 

Photo by Leigh Monk / courtesy AFL Victoria

21 BFNL junior boys and 18 BFLW girls have been named in the GWV Rebels V/Line Cup squad for 2022. Representing the quality and development of the Ballarat FNL as the peak junior competition in the region.

The AFL Commissions of Goldfields, Western District & Wimmera Mallee, in conjunction with the GWV Rebels are delighted to announce the girls and boys squads to be considered to compete in the 2022 VLine Cup in Shepparton.

The VLine Cup will take place between Monday 19^th Sept and Tuesday 20^th Sept 2022 in Shepparton. The GWV Rebels VLine Cup squad was selected from club, representative and trial games held across all 3 regions.

The coaches of both the girls and boys squads are very excited with the assembled talented players that have been selected in the initial squads.

Training sessions will occur Monday 29^th August, Monday 5^th & 12^th September at Alexandra Oval in Ararat.

See the squads:

Please find below important information for supporters and attendees to be aware of for this Sunday’s Ballarat Toyota Junior Grand Final Day at MARS Stadium.

General Information

• MARS Stadium – Creswick Road, Wendouree VIC
• Sunday 11^th September 2022
• The Ballarat Toyota Junior Grand Finals will be an Alcohol-Free event.

Match Schedule

Admission Fees

Junior Grand Final 2022

Adults - $12

Family (2 adults & 2 children) - $26

Age Pensioner - $7

8 - 16yo - $5

U/8 – Free

Footy Record – $4 (Special Edition)

Note: Eftpos is available and encouraged as the preferred payment method.

Gates

Gates open at 6:45am

Grand Final Filming

All matches will be filmed. Matches will be available for purchase following the Grand Finals and further information will be provided around this in the coming weeks.

Live Scores

All matches will be live scored on the day for those that are unable to attend the match. Scores can be accessed through specific competitions on the BFNL public results pages here:

Football - https://bit.ly/3Q4H8gg

Netball - https://bit.ly/3KPteh6

Entry & Parking Information

Please see details and map below for assistance with entry & parking requirements this Sunday.

Entry to MARS Stadium:

• Gate 1 – Located on Creswick Road.
• Gate 2 - Beech Avenue – Located at Northern Oval 2 behind MARS Stadium. This entry is encouraged for those attending the Netball.

NO DOGS are permitted within the precinct this weekend.

Parking is available at the following locations:

General Parking:

• Creswick Road. No parking within concrete barriers stationed outside Gate 1.
• Around Northern Oval 2. MUST enter via Beech Avenue – Cars will NOT be able to move between the North Ballarat Sports Club Car Park & Northern Oval 2.
• STRICTLY NO PARKING IN NORTH BALLARAT SPORTS CLUB.

Disabled Parking:

• Designated disabled parking can be accessed through North Ballarat Sports Club Entry. Patrons must be always a disabled parking permit holder and display permit.

The McDonald’s Ballarat FNL is pleased to announce the fixture for the first week of the 2022 McDelivery BFL Women’s finals series.

The league is excited to have many of our BFLW clubs represented across the finals series, providing a wonderful experience for our clubs and players after missing out on finals over the last two seasons.

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

Admission Prices

BFLW Finals 2022

Adults - $10

Family (2 adults & 2 children) - $25

Age Pensioner - $5

8 - 16yo - $5

U/8 – Free

Grounds Open

Note:Gates will open at 7.30am for all venues during Week One to Week Three.

Scheduled matches across all grades of football for Week One of the finals can be found below.

The McDonald’s Ballarat FNL is pleased to announce the fixture for the second week of the 2022 Federation BFLWomen’s Finals Series.

It was great to see the finals kick off over the weekend with some fantastic games played across all four grades.

Admission prices will continue this weekend and are as follows:

Admission Prices:

BFLW Finals 2022

Adults - $10

Family (2 adults & 2 children) - $25

Age Pensioner - $5

8 - 16yo - $5

U/8 – Free

Grounds Open:

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

Scheduled matches across all grades of football for week two of the finals can be found below.

Player nominations to trial for the McDonald's Ballarat FNL Junior Netball 22/23 Representative Teams are now open on the link below.

Applications close on the 10th of October 2022.

The McDonald's Ballarat FNL Junior Netball Representative program is a great experience for our young netball talent. Nominations are now open to trial for the 2022/2023 representative teams.

All BFNL junior netballers who are keen to try out for our rep teams and who were born between 2006 and 2011 are encouraged to nominate via the online link below.

Dates for trials are yet to be finalised, however, trials will be held in  October/November 2022. 

This year we will have two 15 & Under Teams going to Association Champs. This gives more players an opportunity to be a part of this great program which will assist in developing skills.

BFNL Junior Netball 22/23 Representative Teams and Coaches

13 & Under – Coach: Leah Macdonald

Players born in 2010 and 2011

15 & Under – Coach: Meg Porter & Di McCormack (Championship Team) and Lisa Strudwick (Development Team)

Players born in 2008 and 2009

17 & Under –  Coach: Prue Douglass & Damien Mullane

Players born in 2006 and 2007

You must complete the online nomination form to participate in trials: https://forms.gle/7htXhRcYQhPFwxkh6

Applications for trials will close on the 10^th of October.

The McDonald’s Ballarat FNL is pleased to announce the Junior Coaches and Players for this year’s BFNL Junior Netball Representative Program.

The League is thrilled with the knowledge and experience that these appointed coaches bring, and they are certainly putting this into practice when developing our junior players within the representative program. The players and coaches put their hard work into action at the Association Championships on the 5^th of June 2022.

We are pleased to announce the following coaches and squads for each of our age groups:

13 and Under BFNL Representative Squad

Kate McMahon – Coach

Keira McDonald – Ballarat Swans

Brydee Craig-Peters - Redan

Eliza Ashby – Ballarat Swans

Lyla Sheehan – Lake Wendouree

Emmy Holloway – Lake Wendouree

Gabriella Stanley – Mount Clear

Audrey Murnane – North Ballarat

Allie Kirby – East Point

Hayley Jackson – Ballarat Swans

Ashlee Beseler – North Ballarat

Mia Hayne – Storm

Macy Abrams – North Ballarat

15 and Under BFNL Representative Squad

Di McCormack – Coach

Addison Wright – Darley

Rylee Sheridan – Sebastopol

Penny Follett – North Ballarat

Harriet Hodge – East Point

Madison Dixon – Sebastopol

Scarlett Clayton – Darley

Mackenzie Kopke-Veldhuis - Sebastopol

Amarli Minster - Sebastopol

Maia Murphy – Ballarat Swans

Ebony Porter – North Ballarat

Abby Kinnersly- East Point

Kate Aikman – North Ballarat

Charli Ferguson – North Ballarat

17 and Under Representative Team

Prue Douglass – Coach

Damien Mullane – Coach

Katie Jackson - Redan

Rose Pfitzner – North Ballarat

Annabel Hodge – East Point

Sarah Augustine – East Point

Allanah Trevisan – Mount Clear

Jacinta McKenzie – Ballarat Swans

Georgia Bodey – North Ballarat

Chelsea Oellering – Mount Clear

Rose Murnane – North Ballarat

Isabella McNeill – Lake Wendouree

Emily Davies – Redan

Matilda Myers - Redan

Please find below important information for supporters and attendees to be aware of for this Saturdays Carlton Draught Grand Final Day at MARS Stadium.

General Information

• Mars Stadium, Creswick Rd, Ballarat

• Saturday 17th September 2022

Match Schedule

Admission prices:

• Adults $15.00
• Family (2A / 2C) $35.00
• Pensioners $8.00
• 8 - 16 y/o $6.00
• Under 8y/o Free
• Football Record $5.00

EFTPOS is available at all gates

NO DOGS

Gates:

• Main entry - Gate 1 on Creswick Rd
• Beech Ave, Wendouree (Best entry point for netball and carparking)
• North Ballarat Sports Club from 10am

Catering

Full catering is available throughout the day with bar facilities from 12pm.

Live scores

Live scores of all football and netball games are available throughout the day at:

• Football - https://bit.ly/3Q4H8gg
• Netball - https://bit.ly/3KPteh6

Live Streaming

Can't get to the game? Catch the live stream of the Senior Football and A-Grade Netball. The Senior Men's Grand Final will be live on BallaratFNL Facebook and Cluch.tv. The A-Grade Netball will be live on Cluch.tv - links below.

• Melton v Sebastopol Senior Mens Football: https://bit.ly/2022-GF-Melton-vs-Sebastopol
• North Ballarat v Darley A-Grade Netball: https://bit.ly/2022-GF-A-Grade-NorthBallarat-vs-Darley

General Parking:

• Creswick Road. No parking within concrete barriers stationed outside Gate 1.
• Around Northern Oval 2. MUST enter via Beech Avenue – Cars will NOT be able to move between the North Ballarat Sports Club Car Park & Northern Oval 2.
• STRICTLY NO PARKING IN NORTH BALLARAT SPORTS CLUB.

Disabled Parking:

• Designated disabled parking can be accessed through North Ballarat Sports Club Entry. Patrons must be always a disabled parking permit holder and display permit.

The 2022 Federation BFLW Grand Finals will take over Mars Stadium tomorrow. Find all the Grand Final details below, including match times, parking information, entry details and match vision.

Watch the 2022 Federation BFLW Senior Grand Final LIVE from 1:20pm here: https://bit.ly/3KEBMY2

Federation BFLW Grand Finals – Event Information

Ahead of the first Federation BFLW Grand Final Day at Mars Stadium, please see some important information for supporters and attendees to be aware of:

General Information

• MARS Stadium – Creswick Road, Wendouree VIC
• Saturday 3rd September 2022
• The Federation BFLW Grand Finals will be an Alcohol-Free event.

Match Schedule

Admission Fees

BFLW Grand Final 2022

• Adults - $12
• Family (2 adults & 2 children) - $26
• Age Pensioner - $7
• 8 - 16yo - $5
• U/8 – Free
• Footy Record – $2

Note: Eftpos is available and encouraged as the preferred payment method.

Gates & Parking

• Gates open at 7:00am
• Entry into MARS Stadium via Gate 1 (only) located on Creswick Road.

Parking is available at the following locations:

• General Parking:
  • Creswick Road. No parking within concrete barriers stationed outside Gate 1.
  • Around Northern Oval 2. Entry via Beech Avenue ONLY – Cars will NOT be able to move between the North Ballarat Sports Club Carp Park & Northern Oval 2.
  • STRICTLY NO PARKING IN NORTH BALLARAT SPORTS CLUB.

• Disabled Parking:
  • Designated disabled parking can be accessed through North Ballarat Sports Club Entry.
  • PARKING MUST ONLY OCCUR IN DESIGNATED AREA AND IS FOR DISABLED PARKING ONLY.

Grand Final Filming

• All matches will be filmed with the Senior Women’s match being live streamed - link via Facebook and this website on the day.
• Matches will be available for purchase following the Grand Finals and further information will be provided around this in the coming weeks.

Live Scores

• All matches will be live scored on the day for those that are unable to attend the match. Scores can be accessed through specific competitions on the BFNL public results pages here - https://bit.ly/3Q4H8gg

The BFLW is proud to announce Federation University as the inaugural BFLW Finals Series naming rights partner.

Federation has today been announced as the naming partner of the upcoming BFLWomens finals series and grand finals, commencing this Sunday the 14th of August 2022. 

The partnership will see Federation not only as naming partner of the now Federation BFLW Finals Series and Federation BFLW Grand Finals but will provide valued support to grow female football in Ballarat and regional Victoria. 

Since its inception in 2021, BFLWomens has continued to grow and be the home of female football participation across regional Victoria from Melton, Maryborough and across the wider Ballarat district. 

Support from Federation will ensure the McDonald's Ballarat FNL, as custodians of female football in the region, can continue to build on the current competition with the stated aim of maximising female sports participation. 

Ballarat FNL General Manager, Shane Anwyl 

“The partnership with Federation is an exciting step in the growth of female football, and more broadly participation across Ballarat. The Ballarat FNL is committed to the growth of female sport and an 'access for all' priority”. 

Federation is Victoria’s leading regional university focused on transforming lives and enhancing communities. They have a 152-year history of partnering with community, industry and government to meet the needs of the regions they serve. 

Federation University Vice-Chancellor, Liam Sloan 

“We are proud to be partnering with BFLW in the inaugural finals series for the League and look forward to enjoying the competition during the Federation Finals Series and supporting the growth of women in sport in Ballarat and surrounding areas. This collaboration between Federation and BFLW is driven by our shared value of inclusion and common goal of equality in sport."

The McDonald's Ballarat FNL is pleased to announce the Week 1 match schedule for the McDonald’s BFNL Ballarat Toyota Junior Finals Series.

Matches will kick off with the Qualifying Finals at Northern Oval 2 on Saturday 20th August, followed by Elimination Finals at Wendouree Reserve and the Northern Oval on Sunday 21st August.

Once again, the league thanks the City of Ballarat for their support in hosting finals at the premier football and netball venues across the region and country Victoria.

View or download the scheduled football and netball matches for this weekend below.

Every match from last weekend's Ballarat Toyota Junior Grand Final Day is now available for purchase on BFNL.com.au. And you can find all the match information, teams lists and more in the Digital Record.

All the matches from Sunday's Ballarat Toyota Junior Grand Final Day are available for purchase. 

You can find the links to each match by clicking the button below or go to the BFNL Media tab and select 2022 BFNLJ Grand Finals.

Each match is available for purchase for $15.

To download the match to keep or to watch online when you want, follow these steps:

1. Click on the match you wish to purchase
2. Click on the video screen
3. Create an account, or log in if you already have an account
4. Follow the payment prompts (credit card and PayPal payments available)
5. Watch the video online 
6. To download, refresh the page or log back in and select the download arrow to keep the match forever!
7. Please note: online viewing is available for 24 months

You can also find the Digital Record under the Football tab and select Junior 2022 Grand Final Record or simply click on the cover below.

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

Ballarat

Carisbrook

Darley

East Point

Lake Wendouree

Melton

Melton South

North Ballarat

Redan

Sebastopol

Sunbury

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.)