With Round 1 fast approaching, Scoop has caught up with all ten senior footy coaches as they prepare for season 2026!
Following a heartbreaking preliminary final exit in season 2025, the Bloods are expected to be one of the big contenders once again this year.
Scoop: Not much went right for you in the back half of last season and you still went mighty close teaching a Grand Final. Is that a motivating factor for the group ahead of 2026 knowing you’re right in the mix?
Troy Scoble: You do get motivated year to year by the previous year’s success or failures to meet your goals. 2025 was quite unique, we faced challenges all year and still with a minute to go in a prelim had an opportunity to play in the grand final. Disappointed to not play in another GF, proud of the year we had and confident our program and finals record are strong.
S: You talk about the importance having a plan B - have we seen it yet? Will you have to go about it differently this campaign to get the results you want?
TS: We have rolled out plan A, B, C and D in the last two years. I think all clubs have a style of footy they wish to play but acknowledge this competition is so even and your style is challenged in game all game. We have been working on our scenario planning, modes of footy we will play against certain teams in certain situations and what levers we pull when momentum shifts a certain way. You need to evolve your game style year in year out to keep improving.
S: Your defence went from conceding a ridiculous average of 42 points per game in your Premiership year of 2024 to 66 ppg last year. Anything to see here Scobes, or is it merely an inevitable adjustment and levelling out of the numbers?
TS: It’s a fair point and there was a shift in our ability to defend. Some of that was personal, we had four of our back 7 and three of our forward 6 out for the first seven weeks of the season and lost a bit of connection through our divisions. We were unable to defend as high as we would have liked, we tried to get a bit more aggressive in our ball movement also and got exposed defensively at times. It has definitely been a focus through the pre-season.
S: What’s the likelihood of Billy Crofts and Adam Kennedy playing a role this season?
TS: Billy was available to play finals last season pending Footscray’s performance. Fortunately for Billy he won a VFL grand final and the Bulldogs' best and fairest. We expect to see Billy earlier in the season then later in the season. Finals is dependent on the Bulldogs again. Adam we will definitely see throughout the year when fixtures align with Sydney and his Melbourne trips which is exciting for the club.
S: Tell us in a few words about the new arrivals at the Bloods..
TS: Riley Walker returns after a year off. Made an immediate impact as we expect with his speed competitiveness and kicking.
Caleb Burquest: young highly talented running player. Decision making and ball use a highlight through the preseason.
Mitch Brockwell: more experienced player, key defender, returns home after a few years at Diggers Rest. Tough uncompromising.
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT
TS: Conversion (we hope), we had as many scoring shots as anyone last year but ranked 8th for conversion. Ball movement a preseason focus.
INS & OUTS
In: A. Kennedy (ex Melton junior/GWS AFL), C. Burquest (St Bernard’s VAFA), M. Brockwell (Diggers Rest), R. Walker (back from a year off).
Out: B. Souter (Melton South), B. Mawson (Melton South), J. Cooper (Melton South), L. Heaney (Springbank)
VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS
VFL: Adrian Monitto (Williamstown) Billy Crofts (Footscray)
PRACTICE MATCH SCHEDULE
March 21 - Echuca vs Melton
CLUB IMPROVERS TIP
TS: North Ballarat
FLAG TIP
Darley Devils
SCOOP SAYS
The challenge for coach Troy Scoble will be to recapture the ‘Brotherhood’ connection that led them to a 19-1 Premiership win in 2024.
Despite losing a few soldiers, the return of Riley Walker, Jaycob Hickey (ankle) and a free moving Jordy Cotter will only strengthen their credentials.
The club should hold no fears for healthy rivals Darley having won four of their last five meets.
It’s all ‘above the shoulders’ for mine that will determine the Bloods’ fate in 2026 - their best is certainly good enough with strong representation across all lines.
Projected finish: 2nd
