Swans see light on the horizon

FORGET the 0-2 win-loss record, Ballarat is showing significant positive signs in the early part of the 2026 BFNL season, marked by the development of their promising youth.

Following a winless campaign last year and only two wins in 2024, the new-look Swans are eyeing plenty of improvement this season.

While A-grade mentors Jane Keating and Lisa Palmer insist it won’t be measured in wins and losses, they are adamant early progress is being made following bright spots in their 28-47 loss to Sebastopol last Saturday.

“Even though it was a loss, it felt like a bit of a win for us. We have so many new players coming in that haven’t played together and we are trying to work out our combinations and connections,” Keating said.

“I felt we turned over so much ball – it was just trying to convert it into goals and getting the ball into the ring.

“We were without our tall goaler Dakota Blade, so I think next time we play them, it will be a different game.

“She will make a big difference.”

Blade was a standout in the Swans’ 30-goal loss to powerhouse North Ballarat, scoring 28 of the team’s 30 goals.

A welcome addition against the Burra was Western Warriors VNL player Fionnuala Mceagney-Stubbs, who effected close to 20 turnovers in defence.

Ella Shannon, the sister of Melbourne Mavericks training partner and new Sunbury recruit Ruby, made her presence felt at wing attack and goal attack, as did young gun Ava Richardson.

Keating said an early goal for the Swans was to build connections and momentum every single week.

“I reckon teams will be surprised in the second half of the year because I think that’s when we will be at the top of our game,” she said.

“We’ll try and build every week … this week was better than last week, although the scores didn’t reflect that.

“The mood is still positive, the club culture here is amazing and all the talk is positive.”

Keating is hoping to see more signs of development on Anzac Day against Lake Wendouree, which moved to 2-0 with a convincing 84-29 win over Melton, in which young guns Ebony Porter and Addy Funcke both finished with 30-plus goals and Demi Thompson chimed in with 20.

In other games, reigning premier Darley joined Lake Wendouree, Sebastopol and North Ballarat on 2-0 with a win over East Point.

Led by Sarah Mason with 30 goals, the Devils won 55-30.

In a thriller at Maddingley Park, North Ballarat – without two-time league medallist Maddy Selmon – hung on to defeat Bacchus Marsh by two goals.

The Cobras overcame a nine-goal quarter-time deficit to be almost on even terms at half-time and level at three-quarter-time.

But the steadiness of the Roosters prevailed in the end, with midcourter Brydi Hutchinson instrumental in a 49-47 win.

Sunbury, with a host of inclusions, bounced back from a round 1 loss to Darley to defeat Redan 62-37.

Caitlin Hill led the Lions with 35 goals at 86 per cent, well complemented by Amalani Fauonuku (21 at 84 per cent).