North Ballarat take on Sunbury on Saturday at 2.15pm at Mars Stadium
CLUB: North Ballarat City
COACH: Brendan McCartney
FOR THE RECORD
(Scoop): Macca, you finished 9-1 and on top of the ladder in 2021 before COVID ended a very promising season for North Ballarat City. How has the club processed or weighted the season in flag terms?
(Brendan): There was still so much more to play out, but looking back, we were proud of our effort, our consistency and our connection. We will be doing our best to keep improving again in all areas through 2022. Our depth is very good and the morale around the club remains positive.
(Scoop): The club was 10-0 in first quarters last year, a fine achievement for a relatively young group. What advice, given your experience, could you suggest for players across the region who naturally want to start well on game day?
(Brendan): It's all about training - train as you play. Our training gets straight into contested situations after warm-up. We don't do slow drills, cone-to-cone for example and that is obviously having an impact on game day.
(Scoop): Josh Chatfield (Footscray VFL) and Riley Polkinghorne (Geelong VFL) have been invited for a crack at the higher level in the VFL. How are they tracking, and do you expect to see them much in City colours in 2022?
(Brendan): Both have had good summer programs at their respective VFL clubs. Naturally, we want them to play as much footy as they can at a higher level. Alternatively, we'll be more than happy to have them if/when the opportunity presents.
IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS
(Brendan): High running capacity. We have a high number of natural runners who respond well to training.
IMPROVEMENTS
(Brendan): Maximising scores from turnover and fine tuning our work around stoppage.
PRE-SEASON TRAINING
(Brendan): They've been great - very easy to coach. They bring the intensity we're after - fitness guru, Andrew Ferguson, is doing an excellent job with the boys.
DRAW COMMENTS
(Brendan): We're happy to play anyone. The home and away season is all about building behaviours and ultimately playing finals.
PLAYER INS:
Isaac Carey (WA) - excellent ball user and runner. Clearly in their best side.
PLAYER OUTS:
Daniel Jones (Beaufort), Jai Lockett (Qld), Darcy McEldrew (Qld), Josh Bromley-Lynch (Southern Mallee)
VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS:
Josh Chatfield (Footscray), Riley Polkinghorne (Geelong), Sam Glover (Collingwood)
NBC PASS MARK:
(Brendan): To maintain a happy, engaged and well-supported club.
IMPROVERS: (OUTSIDE OF NBC)
(Brendan): Ballarat. I think there's plenty of upside for the Swans ahead of 2022.
FLAG TIP (OUTSIDE OF NBC)
(Brendan): Melton. Their intensity at the contest and work rate to win the ball back is impressive.
