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
