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: Bacchus Marsh
COACH: Jason Williams (1st season)
2022 Home & Away Record: 8th (7-9, 84.93%)
Scoop: Well Jason, your first-year assignment as coach of the Cobras has been made tougher with a number of key players exiting over the off-season. What type of play can we expect from the new group under your tutelage?
Jason Williams: We're setting up to be a side that is hard to move the ball against with an emphasis on pressuring the ball carrier. Offence looms as an exciting prospect for us on the back of youth promotion and potential 'ins'.
S: Talented duo in tall Luke Goetz and small Jake McCreery are welcomed additions. What can you tell us about these two?
JW: Luke is a quality person with a big heart who thrives with interaction. He will be a highly valued and popular clubman. Jake's highlights reel suggests he's capable of anything. He takes pride in his performance and is very excited about wearing the Cobras jumper for the first time.
S: Is the club willing to concede this year a redevelopment phase without focus on win/loss or are you confident overcoming what many predict to be a challenging road ahead?
JW: No, I’m not willing to concede anything until the matter of facts are done. I don't deal in probability, rather certainty.
S: Are you familiar with the BFNL and what have been your first impressions of your new club?
JW: I live in Sunbury and was a junior at the club. I coached a lot of Sunday games last year and was able to see a number of their games. And given my history with the Calder Cannons I’m quite familiar with a few names. As for my first impressions of Bacchus Marsh? - See identified strengths!
S: What are 3 non-negotiables you'd have written on the white board for your players on match day to adhere to?
JW: Pride in the jumper, pride in yourself and show that you care.
S: What are some of the identified strengths of the club?
JW: Off-field infrastructure is in a good space with access to medicos, physios etc. I've been blown away by the quality of people at this club who just want to help and be a part of something they believe in. Also, our junior program is very strong with a number of players vying for NAB league selection.
S: Where do you expect to see your projected improvement come from?
JW: To facilitate a level of enjoyment, club unity and general wellbeing of the club.
S: How has pre-season training looked?
JW: Really good. The feedback has been positive and the buy-in great. The boys have welcomed the change and sensing a complete cultural shift around the place for the better.
S: Who do you expect to be the biggest improvers this year? (Outside of your club)
JW: Darley - Dan Jordan is a high-quality coach, I have enormous respect for him.
S: Who is your flag tip? (Outside of your club)
JW: Darley
KEY INS:
Luke Goetz (Bell Park), Jake Long (Collingwood VFL), Jake McCreery (Cove SA), Matt Smith-Bye (Ballan), Roy George (WA)
PLAYER OUTS:
D. Burton (Point Cook), H. King (Barwon Heads), N. Stuhldrier (Greenvale), R. Stuhldrier (Barwon Heads), T. German (Spotswood), M. Eastmure (Spotswood), S. Meagher (Spotswood), S. Crea (Ballan), Q. Butt (CHFL), A. Willetts, J. Williams, J. Robinson, M. Culliver
VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS:
L. Goetz (Carlton), J. Long (Collingwood)
