With preseason preparations well under way and Round 1 fast approaching, Scoop goes one-on-one with all 11 senior coaches ahead of the 2023 McDonalds BFNL season.
CLUB: Sunbury
COACH: Travis Hodgson (5th Season)
2022 Home & Away Record: 9th (5-11, 100.78%)
Scoop: Trav, after 1-4 starts your previous two seasons at the Lions, what gives you the confidence we won't see a repeat?
Travis Hodgson: When you only play 16 games and start slowly it’s very
hard to catch up. We've made a conscious effort to adjust our preparation to get better results early. Time will if we get the desired outcome.
S: Tell us about the newbies and their roles – Josiah Garisto, Rivva Karpany and Cody Brand. What can they add to the group?
TH: Josiah and Rivva are both 27 years old and we felt we needed to add some experience to the age profile of our group. Josiah is a strong bodied, rebounding defender with standout leadership qualities while Rivva is a versatile, extremely talented X-factor small forward. Cody can play at either end at 6'5", and straight off an AFL list - his type is rare in this competition. His competitive nature at training has been a feature.
S: Despite being only one of two sides to beat reigning Premiers Melton throughout last year’s home and away season, you lost more than your fair share of close ones. Have you put the line through looking back or is it something you have worked on at training with match simulation for example?
TH: Yep, that was extremely frustrating and shaped our season. The short answer is we have focused on it (arresting the close losses) and I didn't see it as bad luck, rather an inability to convert strong positions in games into wins. Lack of experience I thought played a role.
S: Having Josh Guthrie, Mitch Lewis and Jack Newitt full-time gives you some security at the selection table - with the twos winning the flag last year and thirds winning a final can we expect a return to finals for your proud club?
TH: Having Mitch, Josh and Jack full-time is a great starting point when it comes to selection. We played 44 players last year - 30 odd would be more conducive to the continuity we believe is required to succeed.
S: While you're an experienced coach at this level, after a 21 win and 22 loss record at Sunbury since 2019, what have you learned during this time in charge?
TH: It's a good reminder it takes time with kids. I had a side in the Ovens and Murray a while ago who went at a 50 per cent win rate for two seasons before becoming a real force in the third. There's a big difference between 0-10 game players and 30-40 game players. We have a large number entering the latter phase so I’m expecting measurable improvement from our younger brigade.
S: What are some of the identified strengths of the club?
TH: Solid back six, good behind the ball. Tyson Lever and Harry Minton-Connell ran first and second in our Best and Fairest off half back. That speaks for itself.
S: Where do you expect to see your projected improvement come from?
TH: Better balanced up forward with Cody Brand as a tall option and Rivva Karpany as a dangerous goalkicking small forward. Also having Josh Guthrie and Mitch Lewis full time should see progressive improvement in the group.
S: How has pre-season training looked?
TH: Been solid. We're more advanced and fitter, having brought everything forward with an aim to start well.
S: Who do you expect to be the biggest improvers this year? (Outside of your club)
TH: North Ballarat to resemble more of 2021.
S: Who is your flag tip? (Outside of your club)
Sebastopol.
KEY INS:
J. Garisto (Aberfeldie), R. Karpany (Coburg), C. Brand (Essendon)
PLAYER OUTS:
J. Eales (Kyneton), D. Toman (Woodend), H. Ross (Riddell)
VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS:
J. Sutton (Essendon), H. Minton-Connell (Essendon), C. Bramble (Box Hill).
