Patience key to Burra recruiting and progress

SEBASTOPOL playing coach Tony Lockyer says sticking to the process will be a key in the Burra’s resurgence up the BFNL ladder next season.

And a big part of that plan will be a patient and measured approach to recruiting.

The Burra have unveiled a small number of new signings to date for 2026, with Lockyer hopeful of a few more enticing names to be rolled out over the coming weeks.

“We are happy with where we are at; we’ve added a couple (of players) and some young kids, so we’re shaping up all right,” he said.

“Recruiting is never done until the season starts, so we’ll play the long game and be patient and get the right people in.

“Looking about, every team just keeps on improving. It’s an excellent comp we have and it’s been improving every year for some time.

“You’ve got to be on your game every week, but I’m excited what the next few weeks might bring.”

Heading the early ins are midfielder Felix Henderson, from Geelong league powerhouse St Joseph’s, and former Lexton captain Lachy Rokebrand.

Henderson, a smooth mover with excellent composure with the ball in hand, arrives in the Ballarat league off the back of a grand final appearance with the Joeys, who fell 13 points shy of St Mary’s in the premiership decider.

Lockyer hailed his big league experience and youthful exuberance as key traits the Burra could capitalise on.

“Coming from what is the state’s premier community competition and playing in a grand final, he’s a promising young, taller midfielder and an excellent ball user,” he said.

“He’s a great young kid and I’m sure he will be a really nice addition.

“Stepping into Ballarat footy, with the nice big grounds, he’ll find plenty of space and we’ll want to get the ball in his hands, as he is an excellent ball user.

“It will be interesting to see what he can do, but I’m sure he can make a good impact.”

Lockyer said Rokebrand, a linchpin of the CHFNL Tigers’ defence for many years, would provide great character and leadership to a young and developing Burra side.

 

“Lachy was captain of Lexton the last five years and is just a really reliable defender and a more senior player,” he said.

“He’s looking to challenge himself; he’s been wanting to have a crack at BFNL for a few years.

“He’s been very loyal to Lexton, but now things have just aligned perfectly and he is coming into town to give it a go.”

The Burra will be further boosted by the return of Liam Mason following a year off to focus on his Premier Cricket commitments.

“He had a year of senior footy before he left, so it will be nice to see him back,” Lockyer said.

On the opposite side of the ledger, the Burra have managed to limit the player losses to a few, with Jed Hill making his way to Learmonth while wingman Mitchell Johnson will play with Hampden league club North Warrnambool following a work transfer.

Lockyer said Johnson was continuing to train at the club in preparation for the move.

“We may lose one or two more. It’s a bit like the recruiting, it’s a work in progress over the next little while,” he said.

“But I’m comfortable where we’re are at.”

Two months on from the end of the Burra’s season, Lockyer has had ample time for reflection on their 2025 season efforts.

He remains proud of the gains made in coming within one win of a finals appearance.

The Burra were only eliminated from contention in round 18 following a 20-point loss to Bacchus Marsh.

“We made some really good progress; 2024 was a bit of a shift for us and a fair rebuild, but we took real steps forward in the back half of 2024 and continued that into 2025,” he said.

“There’s some really good signs there and there were some good performances against top six teams.

“But we are under no illusions that we have some ground to make up and there’s some hard work to be done.

“There’s a lot of improvement to come from our existing list.

“This time of year, everyone just talks about recruits and who’s in and who’s departing, but the improvement comes from within and that group is sticking together.

“I’m excited to see the group kick on.”

The Burra returned to pre-season last week, with upwards of 50 seniors and reserves players on the track or in attendance in the case of those nursing injuries.

“We didn’t have the (under) 18s with us, but there will be times when we will link up with them over the summer,” Lockyer said.

“They actually came back a week earlier; they’re super keen. They train on alternative nights.

“I was very impressed with the shape the boys came back in.”