BFL 2021 season preview: Eastern Bloc party

WITH the McDonalds Ballarat Football League set to get underway in just over two weeks, we take a look at what to expect from the five out of town sides.

 

Bacchus Marsh

2021 Coach: Tom German

2019: Finished 8th (H&A) P16 W6 L10

Key Ins: Ryan Bartlett (Mansfield), Jayden Owen (Gisborne), Lachie Christopher (Mansfield)

Key Outs: Liam Mullen (South Warrambool), Matt Chisari (WRFL), Jake Chisari (Retired)

After missing the finals in season 2019, expect to see the Cobras once again in the mix. New playing coach Tom German has added a host of new charges to his squad from his former side Mansfield with Ryan Bartlett (playing assistant coach), Lachlan Christopher, Jackson Kirley and Josh Martin all joining German in making the jump from the Goulburn Valley Football League.

Dangerous forward duo Jake Owen and Aaron Willitts can eye similar goal returns of 2018 with this skill injection into the midfield with Owen’s brother, Jayden, making the jump across from Gisborne to provide another option inside forward 50.

Expect Cobra games to be almost like a shootout most weeks with a lot of emphasis on playing an exciting and attacking brand of footy.

Prediction: Sixth.

 

 

Darley

2021 Coach: Dan Roy

2019: Finished 3rd (H&A) – P16 W11 L5

Key Ins: Mitch Banner (VAFA), Ben Said (St Albans), Matthew Brett (Werribee)

Key Outs: Heath Scotland (Sunshine), Brain Graham (Sunshine), Nick Graham (North Footscary)

Premiership playing coach Heath Scotland and the infamous Graham brothers headline eight absentees from the Devils 2019 side, raising doubts over the club extending on its proud run of finals appearances (since 2012 including two flags 2015,2017).

Dan Roy returns in a coaching capacity and has brought ex-AFL footballer Mitch Banner with him as the club looks to reset. Ex-Sunbury forward Ben Said is back in the Ballarat Football Netball League and looks to be the Devils primary avenue to goal, while the club is hopeful ex-AFL footballer and now reality star Jake Edwards will run around again in the black and white.

The loss of class in the midfield is the obvious concerning point for the devils with a new generation in Luther Baker, Leigh Spiteri and Jake Ancrum to fill the void their premiership superstars have left behind.

Prediction: Eighth.

 

Melton

2021 Coach: Aaron Tymms

2019: Finished 5th (H&A) – P16 W10 L6

Key Ins: Lachlan Watkins (Melton South), Kevin Klix (Deer Park), Lachlan Phillips (Melton Centrals)

Key Outs: Mark Orr (NZ Travel), Daniel Walker (Melton South), Shaun Campbell (Parkside)

After coming so close the last couple of seasons, Aaron Tymms’ men are determined to go that one step further in season 2021.

The Bloods will be a part of the business end conversation for a third successive season after rising to prominence in 2018 with a runner-up finish that exceeded everyone’s 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.

Big Man Mark Orr will be loss up forward, but an injury free Braden Kight might be the spark Melton needs to be once again contenders.

However, a fixture that includes playing premiers East Point and grand finalist Sebastopol twice might be the catalyst in whether the Bloods make or break in season 2021.

Prediction: Fifth.

 

Melton South

2021 Coach: Heath Pritchard

2019: Finished 11th (H&A) – P16 W2 L14

Key Ins: Ryan Pendlebury (Port Melbourne), Billy Lloyd (Port Melbourne VFL/St Kevins), Aaron Clarke (Coburg VFL)

Key Outs: Paul Bower (WAFL), Lachlan Watkins (Melton), Shannen Lange (Sale)

All the buzz up the Eastern Bloc is once again around the Panthers who have brought in some seriously good talent in a recruitment drive similar to the one the club had in 2017, which had AFL-Legend Brendan Fevola brought in as a playing coach.

That didn’t quite work out how the Panthers planned, but this 2021 recruitment boom still has pundits seeing the Panthers as a viable candidate to rise up the ladder.

Experienced heads have been added, however a young midfield and defence will still be up against various quality sides week after week which could stifle any rapid improvement.

Prediction: 10th.

 

Sunbury

2021 Coach: Travis Hodgson

2019: Finished 4th (H&A) – P16 W11 L5

Key Ins: Ben Toman (Port Melbourne), Aaron Christenson (NEAFL Sydney), Tyson Lever (Coburg)

Key Outs: Lachlan Bramble (Hawthorn), Cody Brand (Essendon), Grant Valles (Old Xaviers)

With an inevitable good record at home, it’s hard to not see Sunbury repeat 2019 with a finals appearance this year.

The Lions have made Clarke Oval a nightmare for visitors over the past two seasons, having won 15 of their last 16 games.

Reigning Henderson Medalist, Alik Magin, may have lost partner in crime Lachie Bramble who was rookie drafted by Hawthorn, but has regained former Bendigo Gold teammate, Ben Toman, as measure of midfield support.

Sunbury’s forward stocks are looking depleted at best, given four of their leading five goal kickers from 2019 have moved on. Lachie Bramble (leader – 21 goals), Jack Landt (20), Jack Sheehan (13) and Jarrah Maksymow (13) have also left the building with only half forward, Alec Goodsen (19) remaining.

Home ground advantage and the leadership of coach Travis Hodgson should be enough to see them through to a finals campaign, however if they are unable to find a new avenue to goal, it might be a repeat of 2019 and no finals wins.

Prediction: Fourth.