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: Gary Learmonth
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE/ACCOLADES: Former Darley Senior Coach (2007-11)
ON THE RECORD
SCOOP: Let's start by addressing the elephant in the room. What hole did losing arguably your best player and Captain Isaac Grant, who is still in his early 20s, to Hepburn?
GARY LEARMONTH: It's not ideal. You can't replace him with one player. Darley proved last year they were able to cope / find a way without (Nick) Rodda and (Dylan) Landt. We're hopeful he'll be back sometime in the future.
SCOOP: There was a lot to like about the next generation of Lions coming through - are they far off impacting games on a week in, week out basis?
GL: We hope so, they're about to blossom with 20+ games in but they're still under 19. (Rory) Gunsen and (Marty) Boyer especially are exciting prospects. So too Kye Jess (back from the GWV Rebels) who will add to our midfield with (Liam) Farnsworth and (Harry) Lawson to continue to take further steps to being top line senior players.
SCOOP: Redan have beaten Darley twice in consecutive seasons on the road - what's the secret downing the reigning premiers who are on a 10-0 run going into a new season...
GL: Taking your opportunities.
SCOOP: There's some spruik around new recruit Lachie Bond. Tell us a little bit about him, what to expect and where he fits into the side?
GL: Good size 190cm, athletic, key forward, pinch mid, exciting, impressive highlights reel. Won Newton& Chilwell’s goalkicking the last three seasons.
SCOOP: Lachie George has been a mainstay quality mid/forward for the club over the last few seasons. In the absence of Grant do you expect him to return as a high minute mid or will you blood another youngster through there with George the support role given his latter years?
GL: Expect more midfield time for Lachie but we'll endeavour to share the load in the absence of (Isaac) Grant.
IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS
GL: Speed, kicking ability.
PROJECTED IMPROVEMENT
GL: Defensive focus aiming for more stability down back. Also (Brandon) Green, (Lachie) Bond and (Marty) Boyer will provide us with genuine aerial targets forward.
MOST UNDER AND OVERRATED STAT IN TODAY'S BFNL FOOTY
GL: Final Score – Underrated, Free kick count - Overrated
PRE-SEASON TRAINING
GL: Pre Xmas bit of fun getting together / bonding with some focus on pressure. Returned January 23.
PLAYER INS
Lachie Bond (Newton & Chilwell), Joe Black (De La Salle), Brandon Green (Waubra), Zac Mortlock (Natte Bealiba)
PLAYER OUTS
Isaac Grant (Hepburn), Liam Hoy (Newlyn), Jarret Giampaolo (Newlyn), Tom Lamb (Rokewood).
VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS
Cooper Craig Peters (Footscray), Wil Madden (Essendon), Lachie Bond (Geelong)
THE DRAW
SCOOP: While the Lions’ draw ranks 3rd easiest there are no guarantees. Double ups with the bottom three sides from 2023 (Melton South, Lake Wendouree, Ballarat) helps and avoiding Melton and Darley twice won't harm the mission. Other double ups include North Ballarat, Sebastopol and Sunbury. Three evenly spread trips to the east with Darley, where the Lions have won last two fixtures at Darley Park, Bacchus Marsh and Sunbury. Should, again, be in the middle four range (5th-8th) at the business end.
PRACTICE MATCH SCHEDULE:
March 16 v Cohuna (A)
March 23 v Drysdale (H)
IMPROVERS TIP (OUTSIDE OF REDAN)
GL: Melton South and Lake Wendouree
FLAG TIP (OUTSIDE OF REDAN)
GL: Melton
