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 Bloods came close in both 2018 and 2019 but BFNL Media’s ‘Scoop’ has Melton facing the toughest season draw on the table in 2021. Keep checking in as Scoop serves up the pros and cons of the rest of fixture for every BFNL club next week.

Melton

Draw rating points: 110
2021 draw ranking: #11

PROS: Not many. FOUR of FIRST SIX games at home although the opposition line-up is a worry with Melton South in Round 1, Sebastopol in Round 3, East Point in Round 5 and Redan in Round 6

CONS: FIVE trips to Ballarat, including FOUR in SIX weeks from Round 8 to Round 13, up against North Ballarat Round 8, Lake Wendouree in Round 9, Ballarat in Round 11 and East Point in Round 13

-  Tough draw in the first SIX rounds despite having FOUR at HOME – (Melton South HOME, Sunbury AWAY, Sebastopol HOME, Darley AWAY, East Point HOME, Redan HOME)

- Play FOUR of 2019 Finalists TWICE, including Grand Final duo East Point and Sebastopol, as well as Sunbury and Darley

Comment: They came close in 2018 and 2019 but have lost some key personnel. With (in my opinion) an unfavourable 2021 draw, the Bloods will need to do plenty right to guarantee a finals berth in what is shaping up to be an improving season across the board despite the salary cap reduction.

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Next up in Scoop's club-by-club predictions is Melton. The Bloods will be feeling the loss of big forward Mark Orr, but with a more settled pre-season and an injury-free start, coach Aaron Tymms is hopeful the club can take the next step in 2021. 

Melton

Scoop’s 2021 prediction: 4th - 8th

EXPECT Melton to tinker with their forward line set up in 2021 in the absence of key big man Mark Orr who has left the club who left the club due to travel.

While Orr's return on the goal front was modest (19) last season in 2019, the structural advantages and flexibility he brings to the line-up will be sorely missed. Not only will the Bloods look a little smaller going forward they will also need to find a pinch-hitting relief option for Ben Archard in the ruck.

Bloods coach Aaron Tymms acknowledged replacing the club’s 2019 Runner Up Best and Fairest won't be easy. You can also add gun midfielders Shaun Campbell (to Parkside) and more recently Connor Griffiths (to Yarrawonga) into the mix of star exits.

"That trio especially will leave a big hole that's for sure," he said.

"We've been throwing the magnets around a bit over pre-season, trying to find the right mix forward with Orry leaving, and [now] how the midfield group will look for us come Round One.

"I expect we'll see players in different roles this year. We could play Ryan Carter forward, but in my opinion, he's one of the best shut down defenders in the comp."

Bloods fans will expect to be a part of the business end conversation for a third successive season after rising to prominence in 2018 with a runners-up result that exceeded expectation. The writing was on the wall for another tilt at a flag in 2019, but their form by their own standards was patchy at best before falling short to Sebastopol in the penultimate week of finals.

Tymms hopes an uninterrupted pre-season and injury-free list will hold them in good stead early for a tough opening month of footy.

"In 2019, we couldn't even get on our ground until Round One, which wasn't ideal," he said.

"And with Archard and Denham going down early with hamstring injuries, it had us on the back foot a little."

While the Bloods had just five players play every game in 2019, they were matched only by East Point for the fewest number of players used (34), mounting the argument that attrition rate is one thing, and who gets injured is another.

Tymms is hopeful there is enough improvement within the club to take the next step in 2021.

Kevin Klix (Deer Park - small forward), Lachlan Watkins (Coburg, Melton South) and youngster Lachlan Phillips (Western Jets/Melton Centrals - midfield) have been welcoming additions for the Bloods in testing times for all clubs post-COVID, while dangerous forward Jordyn Cotter returns after a lengthy lay off with an injury.

"I know we have a young list, most of the guys are still 21-22 years old, but we think there is enough talent here to give it a shake."

Proven match-winning forward, Braedan Kight, is said to be flying on the track, while experienced trio Ben Archard, Matt Denham and runaway 2019 B&F winner Dyson Stevens are moving freely ahead of the shouldering duties that await them in the new season.     

Shaun Campbell (to Parkside), Daniel Walker (to Melton South), Darren Haby (WRFL), Michael Hibbert (work), Mitch Brockwell (to Diggers Rest) join Orr, Campbell and Griffiths as the other notable absentees for 2021.

Who knows what influence the departed and a difficult draw will have on the Bloods in 2021?

I'm on the fence.

*Affilliated players: Jake Greiser (Williamstown VFL)

Tymms' Tips

At The Bar

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INSIDER: What did you manage to get done during COVID?

JAKE: Sleep and more sleep!

INSIDER: Did you miss footy as much as you thought you would?

JAKE: Not so much game day, but definitely the boys around the club mid-week.

INSIDER: Who would you have at the club kicking for goal to win you a game after the siren?

JAKE: Dylan Conway, the big dog!

INSIDER: Who is more likely to give a goal away to a team-mate, you or your brother Will?

JAKE: Me, no doubt whatsoever!

INSIDER: If you had to cook for the whole club what would be your signature dish of approval?

JAKE: Chicken Parmigiana

INSIDER: What is the hardest trip in BFNL?

JAKE: Eastern Oval (East Point)

INSIDER: Who is your favorite footy person at the club?

JAKE: Matt Sullivan

INSIDER: What other sport could you play at a high level if there was no footy?

JAKE: Cricket (played subbies)

INSIDER: Who is the quickest at the club over 30m?

JAKE: Probably me

INSIDER: Who is the last person you would want to share a room with on a footy trip?

JAKE: Jayden Smoors

INSIDER: Which ground is your favorite surface to play on in the BFNL?

JAKE: Melton South, of course

INSIDER: Who is the most underrated player at Melton South?

JAKE: Brad Olsson, no-one knows how good he is yet

INSIDER: if you could have any of the following Jakes on your team who would pick: Edwards, McQueen, or Owen?

JAKE: McQueen (East Point)

INSIDER: Flag tip outside of Melton South?

JAKE: Sebastopol

At The Bar

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INSIDER: What were you guilty of binge watching through Covid?

JED: Friends, Peaky Blinders

INSIDER: Who would win the brother Olympics at Sebastopol? The Lockyers or the Hutts?

JED: The Hutts - they're pretty good - they would back themselves 100%

INSIDER: Tell us in a nutshell about your new coach Michael Searle?

JED: Really understanding and relates to everyone well.

INSIDER: In a freakish sense which player at the club can do things on-field that others can't?

JED: Jayden 'Sevolution' Severino

INSIDER: Who would you have at the club kicking for goal to win you a game after the siren?

JED: Toby Hutt

INSIDER: What do you think a pass mark for the club is this year?

JED: Everyone getting the best out of themselves, staying healthy

INSIDER: With which BFNL club do you share your greatest rivalry?

JED: East Point

INSIDER: Who is the best side you've played in 2021?

JED: North Ballarat City

INSIDER: Who is your favorite footy person at Sebastopol?

JED: James Keeble

INSIDER: What other sport could you play at a high level if there were no footy?

JED: Professional NBA2K player

INSIDER: Who is the quickest at the club over 30m?

JED: Simon Butler

INSIDER: Who is the last person you would want to share a room with on a footy trip?

JED: Simon Butler - guaranteed would lose the keys!

INSIDER: If you had to cook for the whole club what would be your signature dish of approval?

JED: Hot Chips and nuggets fresh from the oven!

INSIDER: If you couldn't live in Australia, which country would you move to?

JED: USA, closer to the NBA

INSIDER: Favorite AFL club and player?

JED: Hawthorn, Toby Greene

INSIDER: If you could add three players from other clubs to your list, who would you pick?

JED: Jordan Johnston (East Point), Josh Chatfield (North Ballarat City), Liam Hoy (Redan)

INSIDER: Henderson Medal outside of Sebastopol?

JED: Matt Johnston (East Point)

At The Bar

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INSIDER: Tell us about your coach Joe Carmody - his influence on your footy?

WILL: Great connection with the whole group

INSIDER: In a freakish sense which player at the club can do things on-field that others can't? 

WILL: Daniel Kennedy 

INSIDER: Name three reasons that justify the team's overall improvement...

WILL: Hard work, commitment, buy-in

INSIDER: Who would you have at the club kicking for goal to win you a game after the siren?

WILL: Andrew Hooper

INSIDER: What do you associate with the rise of Bailey Van de Heuvel?

WILL: Plenty of hard work, surprised he hadn't been picked up earlier

INSIDER: What do you think a pass mark for the club is this year?

WILL: Playing finals

INSIDER: With which BFNL club do you share your greatest rivalry?

WILL: North Ballarat City

INSIDER: What non-playing assets has Josh Gibson brought to the club? 

WILL: A lot of time for everyone, guidance, and has brought belief

INSIDER: Who is your favorite footy person at the club?

WILL: Grant Baldwin

INSIDER: Who at the club is most likely to take Mark of the Year?

WILL: Carter Prendergast

INSIDER: What other sport could you play at a high level if there were no footy? 

WILL: Probably nothing..lol!

INSIDER: Who is the quickest at the club over 30m?

WILL: Andrew Hooper

INSIDER: Who is the last person you would want to share a room with on a footy trip?

WILL: Daniel Kennedy, just doesn't shut up!

INSIDER: If you had to cook for the whole club what would be your signature dish of approval?

WILL: Big batch of tacos (shop-bought!)

INSIDER: Who at the club would most likely win a million dollars on a quiz show?

WILL: Luke Wynd

INSIDER: Favorite AFL club and player?

WILL: Geelong, Gary Ablett Jr

INSIDER: If you could add three players from other clubs to your list, who would you pick?

WILL: Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol - back), Lachie George (Redan - midfield), James Keeble (Sebastopol - forward)

Photo Credit: The Courier 

At The Bar

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INSIDER: Congratulations on your 17 goals at the weekend, when did you lose count?

JOEL: A little stage before 3/4 time lol

INSIDER: Which quarter did you do the most damage?

JOEL: I think it was five (first quarter), four (second quarter), four (third quarter), four (final quarter), so pretty even spread

INSIDER: Which teammate, in particular, do you owe a beer for his unselfishness around goal?

JOEL: NOT Jake McQueen

INSIDER: Do you expect to be available come finals given your affiliation with Williamstown?

JOEL: Depends on games played at Williamstown - I think 11 is the maximum

INSIDER: Tell us in a nutshell about your coach Jake Bridges at East Point?

JOEL: Very good man, goes about in a different way - very team-oriented

INSIDER: Jake said your effort at the weekend was just reward for all of your hard work over the last few months - what have you been up to? 

JOEL: I train Mon, Tues, Thurs and weights Wednesdays so there's been a bit of work put in

INSIDER: How is everything going at Williamstown?

JOEL: Good. We're in the eight aiming for a top-four spot.

INSIDER: Why do you think some local clubs get more access to their VFL-affiliated players than others?

JOEL: It depends on club and coach. Also the player type / dynamic and his history in the VFL

INSIDER: In a freakish sense which player at the club can do things on-field that others can't? 

JOEL: I hate saying this...Jordy Johnston!

INSIDER: Who would you have at the club kicking for goal to win you a game after the siren?

JOEL: Brad Whittacker 

INSIDER: With which BFNL club do you share your greatest rivalry?

JOEL: North Ballarat City

INSIDER: Who is your favorite footy person at East Point?

JOEL: Neil Lardner 

INSIDER: What other sport could you play at a high level if there were no footy? 

JOEL: I'd love to say Basketball but I'm no good at it!

INSIDER: Who is the quickest at the club over 30m?

JOEL: Jake McQueen

INSIDER: Who is the last person you would want to share a room with on a footy trip?

JOEL: Jacob Brown

INSIDER: Favorite AFL club and player?

JOEL: Richmond, Dustin Martin

At The Bar

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INSIDER: Great year for you personally in a covid impacted season - how have you managed to stay on top of your game?

JACK: Keep fit over the breaks, avoid alcohol, work on strength and conditioning in own time.

INSIDER: In a freakish sense which player at the club can do things on-field that others can't? 

JACK: Kyle Borg

INSIDER: Who would you have at the club kicking for goal to win you a game after the siren?

JACK: Braedan Kight or Ryan Carter

INSIDER: What do you think a pass mark for the club is this year?

JACK: Play in a Grand Final

INSIDER: Which Bloods family would win a mini Olympics - Walker, Carter, Hickey?

JACK: the Walkers - there's 4 of us - numbers win out

INSIDER: Who would you rather on your Trivia team - President Brian McNabb or Coach Aaron Tymms?

JACK: Brian

INSIDER: Who is the best player you've seen play in Bloods colors?

JACK: Matt Nottman at his peak

INSIDER: Who is your favorite footy person at the club?

JACK: Jake Buttigieg

INSIDER: What other sport could you play at a high level if there were no footy? 

JACK: Basketball

INSIDER: Who is the quickest at the club over 30m?

JACK: Billy Crofts

INSIDER: Who is the last person you would want to share a room with on a footy trip?

JACK: Tommy Button

INSIDER: If you had to cook for the whole club what would be your signature dish of approval?

JACK: Chickpea Curry, they would love it 

INSIDER: Who at Melton is not as funny as he thinks he is?

JACK: Aaron Tymms

INSIDER: Favorite AFL club and player?

JACK: Western Bulldogs, Marcus Bontempelli

INSIDER: If you could add three players from other clubs to your list, who would you pick?

JACK: Jake Owen (Bacchus Marsh), Mickitja Rottumah-Onus (East Point), Tony Lockyer (Sebastopol)

INSIDER: If Melton don't win the flag, who would you rather?

JACK: Any team other than East Point - share the joy!