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: Melton South
COACH: Jason Hamilton & Ryan Hoy (1st Season)
2022 Home & Away Record: 10th (3-13, 53.49%)
Scoop: Jason, welcome to the BFNL. Tough gig, the Panthers, given the club has won just 9/58 games since 2018. I think it would be unfair to define your coming season with win/loss. In that case what is you and Ryan's idea of 'season defining' for your young group?
Jason Hamilton: Progressive improvement from week-to-week. Continue to put time into those young blokes as 'Pilch' did before me promoting organic growth and development.
S: In our brief conversations ahead of today you come across quite the 'straight shooter'. Win/loss aside what will you and Ryan be looking for on a weekly basis to ensure the confidence you're on the right track?
JH: Our ability to compete deeper and deeper into games. We're confident of having three full teams representing our club each week.
S: Dylan Conway, Shaun Wyatt and Billy Lloyd all depart the club. Losing three big guns would impact any team - what has been the intentions of the club to replace them - what player type have you and Ryan targeted in the off season?
JH: We’re after bigger body inside mids. A key back and key forward. We're not the finished product yet, still in the marketplace.
S: There's some progressive talent among the youngsters at the club who are starting to notch up considerable game time - can we expect any in particular to graduate into the midfield or have a significant impact on games? Who has taken your and Ryan's eye on the track?
JH: Mitch Fino, Cody Chapman, Jarrod Bibby and Riley Theo are a promising quartet you can expect to see playing minutes in the midfield. They're fit, strong and showing enough to give every indication they're ready to take their game to another level.
S: Do you know much about your BFNL opposition given your short time? What are your observations and expectations on what you know already via vision, word of mouth, etc?
JH: It’s a quality competition with accomplished players and coaches. The vision indicates a skillful brand of footy - I’m really looking forward to the opportunity coaching at the highest level of my career. I just love the footy!
S: What are some of the identified strengths of the club?
JH: Youth who are eager to learn and improve. Also, we hope our level of fitness can be an advantage.
S: Where do you expect to see your projected improvement come from?
JH: Tinker the game plan to suit us specifically. We don't want to try and play some other team’s game. Focusing on our plan maximising our own strengths can only help us, I think. I also think a new voice, something fresh if you like, will invigorate the group and hopefully we can have a few more wins.
S: How has pre-season training looked?
JH: Going great, I’m very happy with our fitness levels.
S: Who do you expect to be the biggest improvers this year? (Outside of your club)
JH: Sunbury.
S: Who is your flag tip? (Outside of your club)
J: Melton
KEY INS:
Phillip Moimoi (Geelong West), Cassius White (Hillside), Tevita Hallett-Tauali'I (St Kilda City), Phil Hoyland (Rockbank), Tyrell Lafituanai (St Kilda City), Aydin Reilly (St Kilda City)
PLAYER OUTS:
S.Wyatt (Point Cook), Br Sullivan (Melton), B.Sullivan (Darley), B.Lloyd (Horsham), D.Conway (Retired)
VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS:
Tevita Hallett-Tauali'I (Sandringham). Phillip Moimoi (Sandringham)
