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: Rohan Brown
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE/ACCOLADES: Beaufort Senior Coach (CHFL)
ON THE RECORD
SCOOP: Congrats Rohan on your coaching appointment with the Lakers. It's been a tough couple of years for the club on the results front - what's the prevailing message or theme you're trying to instill given you're coming from a fair way back?
RB: Positive attitude moving forward. Working hard is a great place to start.
SCOOP: There's some good wraps on newcomer Jayden Wright - can we expect him to have a similar impact as he has shown at Ararat? What are his strengths?
RB: We hope so, ripper kid. He wants to play at a higher level. Jayden's a strong lad, we're really excited about he can bring to our club. Positionally - inside mid, behind the ball (CHB) 6"3, 87kg - utility essentially. Quality person who has bought in to our footy club.
SCOOP: Tall duo Tom Zampatti and Felix Fogarty show plenty of promise - how are they travelling and what roles have you an eye on for them in '24?
RB: Felix Fogarty will be up forward as an aerial target, Tom Zampatti will be our #1 ruckman and rest forward.
SCOOP: What did you know of the BFNL prior to your appointment?
RB: Coached CHFL (Beaufort) and did six months with Shane Skontra at NBC in the covid year (2020 - no footy). I'm excited to be among quality coaches, players and grounds. The whole league is in pretty good shape. Looking forward to the challenge.
SCOOP: What excites you the most about the immediate future of the Lakers ahead of the coming season?
RB: Seeing how our Under 19s come through and general progression of our young list - seeing what they can do with planning and structure. There are some ripping young, talented men at the Lakers ready to thrive, some now in the system for a couple of years.
SCOOP: I so often ask new coaches three non-negotiables you want adhered to on match day by the group. What are yours?
RB: Enjoyment, Effort, Honesty/Trust
IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS
RB: Speed, intensity at the contest.
PROJECTED IMPROVEMENT
RB: Being in games for longer, maintaining momentum. Execution. There's no ceiling - 'we make our own bed'.
PRE SEASON TRAINING
RB: Our group came back in great shape. We did some testing (2km trials) which confirmed that and we're already into match sim. Numbers on the track and support staff have been encouraging. Returned Jan 22nd.
MOST UNDER AND OVERRATED STAT IN TODAY'S LOCAL FOOTY
RB: Team involvements - 1%ers ect – Underrated, Clearance numbers, efficiency is everything - Overrated
PLAYER INS
Jayden Wright (Ararat), Bailey McKimmie (Skipton), Will Clark (Hay - ex Laker junior)
PLAYER OUTS
Flynn Loader (work - Brisbane), Jacob Coxall (Buninyong)
VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS
N/A
THE DRAW
SCOOP: While the Lakers cop 4/6 last year finalists twice (Melton, East Point, Sebastopol, Redan) they avoid double ups with grand finalists Darley and North Ballarat. Challenging year ahead for premiership points in an improving competition. Mini win - Don't leave Ballarat until Round 8 v Melton or after Round 12 v Bacchus Marsh.
PRACTICE MATCH SCHEDULE
March 16 v South Warrnambool (A)
March 23 v Port Fairy (A)
IMPROVERS TIP (OUTSIDE OF LAKE WENDOUREE)
RB: Tough for me to call - Melton South
FLAG TIP (OUTSIDE OF LAKE WENDOUREE)
RB: Darley in an even comp.
