Who will challenge the Roosters rule? – Ballarat Football League season preview

THE Ballarat Football Netball League returns to action from Saturday, 9 April.

After two years of interrupted seasons, hopes are high for a full suite of home and away games followed by a meaningful finals series.

With the 2021 senior football flag awarded to North Ballarat by virtue of their minor premiership when time was called on the season, who will challenge the Roosters for supremacy this year.

Ballarat Swans

Coach – Joe Carmody

Key ins – Aiden Domic (Werribee), Jesse Nicholls (SMW Rovers), Inji Fyffe (Bendigo Pioneers/Old Scotch VAFA)

Key outs – Mitch Martin (work), Pat Glandford (Springbank)

VFL affiliated players – Bailey Van De heuvel (Footscray), Angus Bade (Footscray)

 

The fairytale story of what was season 2021, the Ballarat Swans looked firmly poised to take the next step this season. Last year’s marquee signing Josh Gibson and 2019 Tony Lockett Medallist, Andrew Hooper, are fit and firing ahead of round one. The addition of Aiden Domic and Inji Fyffe will support the ever reliable Sam James and Daniel Kennedy in centre, with only a calf compliant to spearhead Jake Dunne the only major injury concern at this stage. The addition of this depth, plus the graduation of players like Angus Bade and James Clark from the Western Victoria Rebels has Carmody’s men one of the sides to watch this year.

Prediction – forth

Bacchus Marsh

Coach – Tom German

Key ins – Jack Williams (Camperdown), Jason Robinson (Camperdown), Michael Colliver (VAFA)

Key outs – Jayden Owen (Gisborne), Billy Griffiths (Gordon), Tom Wardell (Dunnstown)

VFL affiliated players – Nick Stuhldrier (Port Melbourne)

It is the unknown that would worry Cobra’s fans with their best and worst football far in-between. The addition of speed is something German’s side missed last and Jack Williams will play an important role down back that fans can remember former captain Liam Mullen playing in black, red and gold. However, there is still no doubt a heavy reliance on dynamic duo Aaron Willitts and Jake Owens, to win them games off their own boots. Throw in a host of players moving down the highway to switch to clubs in the CHFL and it could be a worrying year for the Marsh.

Prediction – eighth

Darley

Coach – Dan Jordan

Key ins – Brett Bewely (Fremantle AFL), Nick Rodds (Williamstown VFL), Dylan Landt (Glenelg SANFL)

Key outs – Jake Edwards (Qld), Ryan Kemp (WA), Kirk Fenton (Melton Centrals)

VFL affiliated players – Dylan Landt (Essendon), Bailey Young (Footscray)

 

Last year’s cellar dwellers have made some huge moves in the off season to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself. Appointing BFL Legend and ex-Essendon VFL coach Dan Jordan has rejuvenated the club on and off the field. Add a sprinkle in the signings and the Devils have a side capable of doing some serious damage. Expect a flamboyant game style that should be fun to watch.

Prediction – seventh

East Point

Coach – Jake Bridges

Key ins – Jackson Merrett (WAFL), Tom Brown (Hepburn), Billy Watkins (returning)

Key Outs – Joel Ottavi (Buninyong), Jake McQueen (Wangaratta), Billy Jones (travel)

VFL affiliated players – none

 

With the 2021 season not coming to its full closure, now is the time for the Kangas to prove they are the competition’s juggernaut. The 2019 and 2020 premiers have added ex-AFL player Jackson Merrett to what is already an impressive midfield. As all great club’s experience, some departures in the off-season should impact their ability to hit the scoreboard at the same level fans have become accustomed to. However, Tom Browne jumping across from Hepburn to join brother Jacob, creates another x-factor matchup opposition coaches will be scratching their heads over. Expect a more patience, methodical and mature East Point outfit this year as they try and add some more silverware to their trophy cabinet.

Prediction – second

Lake Wendouree

Coach – Jack Fitzpatrick

Key ins – Scott Carlin (Warrnambool), Bailey Thompson (Camperdown), Tom Hunt (Daylesford)

Key outs – Kai Lohmann (Brisbane AFL), Sam Butler (Hawthorn AFL), Jake Lohmann (Maryborough)

VFL affiliated players – Scott Carlin (Geelong), Fergus Greene (Box Hill)

 

Former AFL footballer Jack Fitzpatrick has been given the reins at the Lakers for season 2022. The club has had a couple youngsters drafted in the off-season which is a credit to the talent coming out of the C. E. Brown Reserve. Like 2021 it will be a year of constant improvement with Fitzpatrick and club focused on identifying that talent within and have topped up with players who complement that group. The Lakers won’t be world beaters, but will challenge any side one there day, especially in treacherous conditions.

Prediction – 10th

Melton

Coach – Aaron Tymms

Key ins – Marr Orr (returning), Brendan Payne (Hoppers Crossing)

Key outs – Kevin Klix (Airport West), Ben Archard (Swan Hill), Matt Denham (retired)

VFL affiliated players – Billy Crofts (Geelong), Jake Greisier (Williamstown)

 

Does it almost feel like now or never for Bloods Fans? After being so close over the past couple seasons Melton, and Tymms, would begin to feel the premiership window closing. Former captain Ben Archard departure is a huge loss not only for his on-field leadership but ruck craft. Tymms however is still backing in the ‘1 point players’ and the addition of ex-Cobra, Brendan Payne, should give livewire Braedan Kight a partner in crime inside forward 50.

Prediction – sixth

Melton South

Coach – Heath Pritchard

Key ins – Dylan Jones (Williamstown CYMS), Ben Casley (Northern Blues),

Key Outs – Ryan Pendlebury (Sale), Issac Conway (Oakleigh District), Brad Olsson (Old Xavier)

VFL affiliated players – Anthony Anastasio (Port Melbourne)

 

Once again the Panthers have failed in terms of player retention. Pendlebury, Conway and Olsson are A-Graders who have all walked out the door and have left a massive hole down the spine. One big improvement the Panthers and Pritchard have made in is recruiting experienced ruckman Ben Calsey. It’s an area they were depleted in last season. They have got a long way to go if they want to climb up the ladder and will need to everyone to stay healthy to make up for their lack of midfield depth.

Prediction – 11th

North Ballarat

Coach – Brendan Macartney

Key ins – Issac Carey (WA)

Key outs – Daniel Jones (Beaufort), Jai Lockett (Qld), Josh Bromerly-Lynch (Mallee)

VFL affiliated players – Josh Chatfield (Footscray), Riley Polkinghorne (Geelong), Sam Glover (Collingwood)

 

Undefeated in the ten games last season, North are no doubt this year’s premiership favourites. There Hollywood style is a staple of Macartney’s coaching philosophy with risk verses reward always a talking point. Veteran and club favourite Daniel Jones has depurated in the off season but is systematically replaced by Issac Carey who has the same capacity to gut run but also is an elite user by foot. There VFL-listed talent also boasts more than any other side in the competition, with anyone of the names a match winner when they get the opportunity to pull on the black and white.

Prediction – first

Redan

Jarrett Giampaolo

Key ins – Linclon Barnes (Waubra), Nathan Dunstan (Hepburn), Jacob Werts (Bungaree)

Key outs – Zac Jenkins (Rokewood), Dean Chester (Cairsbook), Pat Britt (Dunnstown)

VFL affiliated players – Craig Cooper-Peters (Footscray)

 

Expect an indifferent year, Lions fans, with the old cliché of ‘write Redan off at your own peril’ set to go into overdrive in season 2022. The club’s standout from last year was the development of Cooper-Peters, with the youngster earning a VFL contract and finishing second in last season’s Henderson Medal. In his VFL absence, expect ball magnet Lincoln Barnes to pick up the workload after coming across form CHFL juggernaut Waubra. However, plenty of experience has departed in the off-season and ex-AFL footballer Orren Stephenson retired. All that has pundits to believing this season for the Lions is a bit of rebuild.

Prediction – ninth

Sebastopol

Coach – Michael Searl

Key Ins – Dean Robertson (Waubra), Bailey Veale (Bungaree), Will Lovett (Bungaree)

Key outs – Nick Haulser (Qld)

VFL affiliated players – None.

 

2019 is all but a distant memory for Burra faithful with the focus now firmly on the present and finally getting some silverware in the trophy cabinet. The club has brought back a couple of former juniors in Bailey Veale and Will Lovett from Bungaree and added Dean Robertson to boaster the clubs ruck stocks. Player retention was excellent again for Sebas with a real feeling around the group that this year could be the year. Yet, what last season showed with injuries to star players like Tony Lockyer, Matt Austin and Luke Kiel is there’s potentially a lack of depth in the squad. Once again Henderson Medallist, Lachlan Cassidy, will be one of the key factors but don’t be surprised to see him closer to goal at times.

Prediction – fifth

Sunbury

Coach – Travis Hodgson

Key ins – Matt Medcraft (Port Douglas), Mitch Lewis (Port Melbourne VFL), Blake Graham (Ballan)

Key outs – Mitch Conn (Sydney), Alik Magin (Qld), Mick Edwards (Riddells Creek)

VFL affiliated players – Mitch Lewis (Port Melbourne), Jake Sutton (Essendon), Cooper Anderson (Essendon), Jaydn Eales (Box Hill), Josh Guthrie (North Melbourne)

 

Two tough games to start the season for Sunbury should give fans a good indication if Hodgson’s chargers are capable of going the next step this year. Playing both Melton and North Ballarat away is a tough initiation to any season, but one win out of two could be enough to convince pundits. Matt Medcraft has returned to the club and is the like for like replacement of 2019 Henderson Medallist Alik Magin, but a better sharpshooter around the goals. Tyson Lever had a breakout season in defence last year and if he is given as much free reign this season it is hard to see sides kicking a big enough score to get over Sunbury.

Prediction – third