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: North Ballarat
COACH: Brendan McCartney (3rd Season)
2022 Home & Away Record: 6th (8-8, 130.08%)
Scoop: Macca, great to see you going around again at North Ballarat. Have you reassessed your approach to this season given your boys fell away at the back end of 2022 losing 5 of the last 7 games?
Brendan McCartney: We had a tough draw and played four teams coming off the bye I reckon. We were in all games bar a couple into the last quarter but if I had to pinpoint, it was more our polish than anything.
S: Stewart Crameri is a better than handy pick-up. How's he travelling and what role have you earmarked for him in his first year at the Roosters?
BM: 'Stewie' is a very good footy person and positive role model for our young group. His role will be forward/mid as well as a bit of forward coaching. With 100 games under his belt at the top level, 'Stewie' has lots to offer.
S: Your Under 19s won the flag last year. Can we expect those boys to fill the void left by the exit of a handful of depth players in the off-season?
BM: Definitely. They're fit, strong young men who have been training with us for the last two seasons. We're hopeful of seeing the benefits of the club’s (youth) plan this year.
S: The group didn't have much luck with injury last year – how are Josh Chatfield (knee), Tom Hotchin (acl), Joey Symonds (concussion) and Elliot lamb (shoulder) progressing?
BM: Josh (Chatfield) is with us at the moment but will return to Footscray VFL at some point. Travis (Hotchin) is coming off a 12 month ACL - expect early season return, won't be rushed. Elliot (Lamb) is on track for Round 1. Joey (Symonds) is being monitored - he's still having up and down days but we're hopeful - again, won't be rushed.
S: On a broader scale, what are you enjoying most in your time in the BFNL? To the eye, is footy in the region in a good place?
BM: Seems to be. I'm loving the competitive nature and evenness of our competition primarily but I’m confused by the number of players who are willing to leave clubs for a lower standard of footy. Some of these blokes are being lost too early to good standard local footy. Go later I say, I don't understand it.
S: What are some of the identified strengths of the club?
BM: We’re a young group who embrace training. We're quicker and have 'more legs' than last year.
S: Where do you expect to see your projected improvement come from?
BM: More run and aggressive ball movement going forward. The Crameri correction will straighten us up providing a target. We were a bit slow moving the footy last year.
S: How has pre-season training looked?
BM: Going pretty well mate. Like most clubs you have your up and down nights but on the whole definitely a tick I’d say.
S: Who do you expect to be the biggest improvers this year? (Outside of your club)
BM: Sunbury.
S: Who is your flag tip? (Outside of your club)
BM: Sebastopol, they’ll be hard to beat.
KEY INS:
Stewart Crameri (Maryborough)
PLAYER OUTS:
R.Hobbs (work), T.Spiers (Caroline Springs), J.O'Brien (Melton), C.Perks (Barwon Heads), R.Luke (Beaufort), F.Toose (Springbank), M.Tate (moved to Melbourne), M.Wilson (Beaufort)
VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS:
J.Chatfield (Footscray), J.Riding (Werribee), S.Glover (Collingwood), R.Polkinghorne & J.Quick (Geelong training)
