It's been a busy early transfer window as clubs across the region look to shore up their lists heading into the new year.

Not including the usual exodus of players heading to compete in the Northern Territory FL competition, there has been a steady flow of ins and outs for the McDonald's Ballarat FNL.

Five clubs were active during the November transfer period with reigning premiers East Point signing three players, as did Redan and Melton. North Ballarat added two players and Melton South kicked things off with the one transfer.

Its been a busy period for Central Highlands FL with Creswick leading all clubs, having gained six players from the BFNL.

Ballarat league players have spread themselves far and wide heading to various leagues from the Wimmera to metro competitions.

With the early transfer window now closed, clubs will look to consolidate their lists as pre season training steps up before Christmas. The main clearance period will reopen on February 1^st 2021 through to 30^th June 2021.

BFNL media writer 'Scoop' has crunched the numbers on the proposed 2021 season draw, revealing who are the winners and who has drawn the wrath of the footy gods. Over the next few weeks, Scoop will deliver a deep dive into the season ahead for your club.

Redan can savour a second successive #1 rated draw, while Bacchus Marsh (#2) and Darley (#3) can breathe a sigh of relief having fared well according to the formulated study.

Melton (#11) appear to have copped the wrath of the footy gods with five 'away' highway trips to Ballarat, not to mention double-up meetings with four finalists from 2019, including Grand Final duo East Point and Sebastopol.

While Melton South's (#6) Ballarat travel diary mirrors the Bloods, the draw around that looks far more favourable for a team expected to rise. As for the reigning dual Premiers East Point (#8), they copped a draw worthy of a team aiming for a three-peat. Sebastopol (#4) will enjoy a dream run in the final third of their season, while North Ballarat (#5) fared next best out of brick city. With scope for improvement both on and off field, the Rooster’s draw sees them in the mix for a sneaky finals berth.

Lake Wendouree (#7) and more-so Ballarat (#10) appear to have the job ahead of them according to the formula, despite their marquee signings. Flag challengers, Sunbury (#9), finished mid-to-low table with the draw after a difficult rating in 2019. Tough luck for the Lions who’s 2020 draw (#4) was looking bright but, alas, COVID...

Analytics aside for a brief moment, how good is it - footy's back (well nearly)!

EASIEST TO HARDEST 2021 DRAW

1. Redan - 94

2. Bacchus Marsh - 97

3. Darley - 98

4. Sebastopol- 100

5. North Ballarat - 101

6. Melton South - 103

7. Lake Wendouree - 104

8. East Point - 105

9. Sunbury - 107

10. Ballarat - 109

11. Melton - 110

SEASON 2019 Ladder

1. East Point

2. Sebastopol

3. Melton

4. Redan

5. Darley

6. Sunbury

7. North Ballarat

8. Bacchus Marsh

9. Lake Wendouree

10. Ballarat

11. Melton South

(Draw ranking points are determined by 2018 & 2019 numbers, projected improvement, this year's travel and who your team plays twice.)

The Kangas led the comp in the last two seasons played, and while their draw for 2021 won’t be easy, East Point fans may yet get their ‘three-peat’. Scoop will keep serving up the pros and cons of the fixture for every BFNL club over the next few weeks.

East Point

Draw rating points: 105
2021 draw ranking: #8

PROS: Leave Ballarat just ONCE after round NINE - (Sunbury in Round 14)

CONS:  Back-to-back highway travel with AWAY games against Bacchus Marsh in Round 4 and Melton in Round 5

- Play FOUR of 2019 Finalists TWICE: Sebastopol, Sunbury, Melton, Redan

Comment: The Kangas were the best team in the comp in 2018 and 2019. They will be hard to beat again after retaining nearly all of the 2018 and 2019 Premiership teams in a bid for an amazing 'three-peat'. Their draw will ask enough of them in 2021 and given their number one standing in the competition so it should.

The McDonalds Ballarat FNL, in partnership with Ballarat Toyota is proud to promote the Toyota Good for Footy program to support community clubs in our league.

Toyota Good for Footy is Toyota's grassroots footy program. Toyota has helped clubs raise over $7 million since 2008 through the program and helped over 500 local clubs from every state and territory.

To buy tickets and support your local community club, follow this link here.

It's very hard to go against the might of East Point this season, as the Kangas chase their third successive flag. Despite all the fanfare and the time away from the game, East coach Jake Bridges says the buy-in from the group has been impressive. This is the final edition of Scoop's Season 2021 Previews because footy is back in the McDonald's Ballarat FNL tomorrow!

East Point

Scoop’s 2021 prediction: 1st

EXPECT East Point to go almighty close to a third successive Premiership in 2021. Needless to say, they will start favourites again after retaining nearly all of their 2019 Grand Final side.

Only Daniel Tung (working away) is expected to miss at this stage, but given the utility’s importance to the side, you can imagine the Kangas will do all they can to qualify him for the business end if the opportunity presents.

Despite the fanfare and pressure that comes with a rare three-peat mission, Kangas coach Jake Bridges has been happy with the buy-in from the players over the summer.

"We've had a core group of 15 to 20 blokes that haven't missed a beat," he said.

"I've been very pleased with their commitment."

'East' have added highly rated utility Aaron Hayes (dual Premiership player 2016/2017 with Kyabram - wing/half back), James Lukich (Waubra - midfielder), ex-Springbank skipper Samuel Cue (small defender/mid) and experienced campaigner Lachlan Barber (Kangaroo Flat) to an already impressive list that is laden with talent.

While the Kangaroos have dined out on a few opposition clubs with their star power, Bridges concedes there's plenty of room for improvement.

"Our offensive and defensive transition especially, has been the focus for us," he said.

Gun forward/mid Jordy Johnston joined Geelong in the VFL pre-COVID for one final roll of the dice at a higher level. For Bridges and the Kangaroos, it's a double-edged sword.

"We're really excited about Jordy and his prospects with Geelong," he said.

"If it doesn't work out, we'll be the beneficiaries at club level, but fingers crossed he can have an impact in the VFL. He's certainly good enough."

The talented Jacob Brown and Joseph Dodd remain on Essendon's VFL list despite expectations of featuring predominantly with 'East' in 2021.

Jesse Palmer (Collingwood VFL, ex-Northern Blues), who was set to join the Kangas in 2020 has since moved on to Western Australia and the WAFL.

Depth player Mitch Tuddenham (AFL Barwon) is the only other confirmed exit from 2019.

*Affiliated players: Jordy Johnston (Geelong VFL), Jacob Brown (Essendon VFL), Joseph Dodd (Essendon VFL), Joel Ottavi (Williamstown).

Bridges' Tips

The strength of the McDonald's Ballarat FNL was on full display at the 2021 NAB AFL Draft, with local talent heading to Richmond, Essendon and North Melbourne.

With five players being drafted - yes, we are clear and proud to claim you too, Paul Curtis - two in the first round, the league congratulates the players, their families and home clubs for the many hours and years of hard work to reach this point. 

BFNL talent drafted and likely to have a long and successful career at the highest level were:

 Pick #9

• Josh Gibcus (East Point FNC)  -  drafted to Richmond FC

Pick #20

• Kai Lohmann (Lake Wendouree FNC)  -  drafted to Brisbane Lions FC

Pick #22

• Josh Goater (Sunbury FNC)  -  drafted to North Melbourne FC

Pick #23

• Sam Butler (Lake Wendouree FNC)  -  drafted to Hawthorn FC

Pick #35

• Paul Curtis (Melton South FNC) - drafted to North Melbourne FC

The initial Victorian Country boys and girls U18 representative squads have been announced and five young guns from across the McDonald's Ballarat FNL and McDelivery BFL Women's have found themselves under the AFL microscope.

In another show of the strength of the BFNL competitions, the initial squads have been released for the Vic U/18 Country and Metro representative sides for 2022.

The Vic Country squads - selected in partnership with AFL recruiters - converged on Essendon's The Hangar last weekend to undergo medical screenings and fitness tests, and set up individual development plans and training programs in preparation for the 2022 season. 

Congratulations to Aaron Cadman (Darley), Felix Fogarty (East Point) and James Van Es (North Ballarat) on their selection to the boy's squad, along with Kalani Scoullar (Ballarat) and Paige Scott (Carisbrook) for their selection in the girl's squad.

The squads will return for a second three-day camp in January to learn about preparation and recovery, GPS and training loads and football/life balance, and will take part in two full training sessions, another craft-based training program and first official interviews with AFL club recruiters.

Read the full story on AFL.com.au and see the full squads: https://bit.ly/2ZTiPhg

The McDonald's Ballarat Football Netball League Senior Fixture for 2022 has been released, with a full fixture of 18 rounds plus finals planned.

Media Release

The board is pleased to announce the final fixture for the upcoming 2022 McDonald's Ballarat FNL Senior season. 

This season is hoped to build on the momentum from the 2021 season that was cut short, with a full fixture of 18 rounds plus finals planned. 

In keeping with tradition, all clubs will play 16 games and have two scheduled byes. 

Round One kicks off on Saturday 9th April, while Round Two is split across the following weekends, with Lake Wendouree to host Redan on Good Friday, being the first Round Two game. 

The Queen's Birthday full competition bye will return after being well received in 2021 with Bacchus Marsh hosting Sunbury this weekend as a Round Nine stand-alone game. 

Details of night and twilight games will be advised after discussions with the clubs as we lead up to the start of the season. 

Get excited local footy fans, starting from this weekend every match from every round of the McDonald’s Ballarat Senior Men’s competition will be streamed live and free via Cluch.tv.

You can find the McDonald's Ballarat FNL page on Cluch here: McDonald's Ballarat FNL live in Cluch

You can watch live and on-demand on all connected devices and screens. Simply go to cluch.tv or find the stream links via BFNL.com.au or the Ballarat FNL Facebook page. Stream it to the big screen, track the scores and action across all five games, and replay the goals. Or catch up on all the action on-demand from your phone, screen or TV.

Get ready by downloading the Cluch app on your device or screen.

The McDonald’s Ballarat FNL’s streaming activity has increased significantly in recent years and the launch of full competition streaming is the next step in that journey.

We will also continue to bring you the Ballarat Toyota Match of the Round live to Facebook.

About Cluch:

Cluch is an OTT video and platform-as-a-service business dedicated to community sport. Cluch delivers premium on-demand streaming services across all connected devices and screens.

Scoop' Reviews Round 2

Round Two had it all... the early contenders flexed in some big wins, there was a one-point thriller in Bacchus Marsh and across the McDonald's Ballarat FNL clubs, players and fans honoured our ANZACs. 

The Cobras needed the last goal of the game to beat cross-town rival Darley to go 2-0 for the first time since 2016. Just single digits separated the two sides at every change as Bacchus Marsh led for the majority, before the Devils surged with back-to-back goals in the final term to lead by as much as 11 points with seven minutes remaining.

Cobras small forward, Tyler Huynh, became the unlikely hero snapping his match-winning fourth goal deep in time on to give Tom German's men the perfect start to the season. Cobra fans will be in for heart checks this week after nail biting two- and one-point wins in their opening two games.

Both coaches conceded the game could have gone either way and whoever was on the wrong side of the ledger would be left lamenting the how and why. Cobras Captain Jake Owen (3 goals) was again the star, the difference if you like. Huynh's four goals were a bonus and took the honours over the Devils’ small forward returns. Midfielders Nick Stuhldrier and Tom German worked hard all day for the winners in a real arm wrestle of sorts between the arcs.

For the Devils, new recruit Nick Rodda kicked five goals and will only get better in his adjustment from the VFL, while Andy Azzopardi (3 goals) provided some much-needed spark and run during some otherwise flat periods from the Back and White. Saturday's game marked the ninth consecutive Anzac Day (weekend) blockbuster between Darley and Bacchus Marsh and the second time a one-point margin has separated the two.

The 'Burras have responded from their disappointing loss to Darley, disposing of Top Four fancy East Point to the tune of 28 points at Eastern Oval. Their 17-goal return was the highest of any across the competition in Round Two and serves a polite reminder to opposition sides: the 'Burras’ best is very good.

To complement the nature of the win even further, it was the only four-quarter win of any team in Round Two. A 19-point advantage at the first change became 24 at the half, 26 at the third before 28 at the final siren.

While the news of the James Frawley signing to East Point reverberated around BFNL clubs on Thursday night, the 'Burra welcomed back one of their favourites under the radar - the reigning Henderson Medallist, Lachie Cassidy, who was named best on ground in his return game from a hamstring complaint. Livewire forward James Keeble finished with four goals and Willy Lovett with three to lead a string of nine goal scorers for the winners despite the Kangas having ten of their own. Twenty-eight scoring shots to twenty-five gives every indication the match was fought evenly, especially after quarter time.

'Burras coach Mick Searle would be a relieved man squaring the win/loss ledger after Round Two and will take plenty of confidence from their recent wins over the 2018 and 2019 Premiers on Eastern Oval. Hugo Papst and Tony Lockyer also featured among the best while Kangas trio Jordy Johnson, Mitch Walsh and Joe Dodd were solid in defeat.

The Swans recorded an emphatic win over a youthful Panthers line-up whose wretched record in Ballarat continues. The visitors were kept goalless in the opening half, while the Swans went about their business to set up a dominant 63-point lead at the half before extending the difference at the final siren.

Midfielders Daniel Kennedy (3 goals) and Aiden Domic (3 goals) were the leading scorers among nine Swans players to hit the scoreboard. Andrew Hooper (2 goals), who booted seven goals in the corresponding fixture last year, left the ground in the second term with hamstring tightness, denying the sharpshooter his deja vu moment.

The Panthers, while disappointed with the result would be happy with the progress of youngsters Mitch Fino, Riley Theo, Rhys Lee and Cody Chapman, who are the future of the club. Dylan Conway split 50/50 game time mid/forward but was denied his usual impact given the sheer weight of the home side's possession. Swans defender Nick Weightman and ruckman Marcus Powling continued their run of good form to start the season.

A seven-goal to three opening quarter blitz from competition yardstick North Ballarat has set up a comfortable 61-point win at CE Brown Reserve. Jack Fitzpatrick's Lakers were unable to contain the North forward pressure despite the speculative memo/warnings heading in. Easier said than done.

Young guns James Quick (5), Thomas Hotchin (4), Jack Riding (3) and Sam Artz (1) combined for 13 of North Ballarat's 17 goals - mission complete. Fitzpatrick's former mentor Brendan McCartney, in charge of North Ballarat was 'chuffed' his boys were able to apply pressure and make it hard for Lake Wendouree to move the ball.

"We were strong in the contest, a lot more like how we want to play," he said. North Ballarat Captain Simon McCartin continues to lead this group of impressive young talent with near another best on ground performance.

There's no doubting the Lakers will learn a lot from the weekend and, despite scoreboard separation, can take solace in denying North Ballarat a blowout on their own terms in the last quarter. A 68-point margin at three-quarter time was reduced to 61 at the final siren to suggest that while there may be a gulf in the depth department (at this early stage), the Lakers are not short on character.

The Bloods booted their highest score against the Lions in more than 15 years to win impressively by 39 points at MacPherson Park. The home side smashed the visitors on the scoreboard with a four-goal breeze in the opening term, booting 7.4 to 0.2 - game over!

Even if Lions Coach Travis Hodgson fancied a likely response in the second term, the 44-point deficit was always going to be a huge ask against genuine flag contenders on their home deck. If that wasn't a bridge too far, consider the Lions had managed more than five goals against the Bloods just twice from their last six meetings.

Bloods forward Ryan Carter (5 goals) proved a thorn in Sunbury's side all day to make it back-to-back bags for the #23. Mark Orr's return has been crucial following the exit of Ben Archard, while Lachie Watkins and Jordyn Cotter give opposition coaches another headache to overcome.

The similarities in the even nature of competition heavyweights Melton and North Ballarat are palpable. Their Round Six meeting on May 26 should be a belter.

For Sunbury, they're 0-2, and while they did get five players back for the Bloods game they still fell well short despite winning two quarters, the same as they did in their 28-point loss to North Ballarat in Round One.

Tyson Lever and Daniel Toman were among the Lions' best again and are likely to feature for the most part. North Ballarat (away), Melton (away) – no one had a tougher start than the Lions in '22. The draw opens up for them after their bye in Round Three ... time to get cracking.