Who will rein in season 2023?

AS the Melton Bloods prepare to defend their McDonalds Ballarat Football League seniors premiership, we take a look at the teams for this season.

Action in the BFL gets underway with a split round this Good Friday, with Redan hosting Lake Wendouree at City Oval.

The remaining games go on Saturday, 15 April.

Bacchus Marsh

Key ins: Luke Goetz (Bell Park), Jake Long (Collingwood VFL), Jake McCreery (Cove SA), Matt Smith-Bye (Ballan), Roy George (WA)

Key outs: D Burton (Point Cook), H King (Barwon Heads), N Stuhldrier (Greenvale), R Stuhldrier (Barwon Heads), T German (Spotswood), M Eastmure (Spotswood), S Meagher (Spotswood), S Crea (Ballan), Q Butt (CHFL), A Willetts, J Williams, J Robinson, M. Culliver

Prediction: 9th

Last season we saw the good, the bad and the downright ugly from Bacchus Marsh, this year expect a bit the same from this Cobras outfit. New coach Jason Williams will bring some x-factor to the competition as his side again backs its home-grown talent. The departure of Henderson Medallist Dan Burton may just be too big of a blow to recover from as they look firmly poised to be one of the competitions cellar dwellers.

Ballarat

Key ins: C Wellings (Collingwood VFL), M Bishop (returning)

Key outs: S James (Perth), L Dawson (Brisbane), A Domic (Buninyong), J Dunne (Learmonth), J Blackburn (Barwon Heads), A McPherson, T Sutton

Prediction: 7th

Huge departures headline the Swans off season after falling in the preliminary final to Sebastopol last year it looks like a certain year of the rebuild at Ballarat. Experienced at AFL level, Chris Maple takes over a now much younger and inexperienced list and don’t be surprised if he has a trick or two up his sleeve for the competition.

Darley

Key ins: Billy Myers (Williamstown VFL), Matt Denham (Melton), Billy Sullivan (Melton South), Riley Matricardi (Trentham), Darcy Matricardi (Trentham)

Key outs: N Rodda (Warrnambool), D Landt (Dimboola)

Prediction: 5th

Semi-finalist last year, the Devils will be eager to go the next step in season 2023 and breakthrough in 2023. Billy Myers returns full time from the VFL to replace the ever-impressive Dylan Landt in the midfield, while the unknown void inside forward 50 has yet to be filled. Nick Rodda won the league goal kicking in season 2022 and his departure, and the Devils inability to find answers the scoresheet besides him, does make them this year biggest question mark.

East Point

Key ins: Richard Dell (VAFA), a host of juniors from Mount Clear

Key outs: no real significance

Prediction: 6th

Any side with the Johnston brothers plays finals right? The Kangas dynamic duo have been the sole difference the last couple of seasons and will once lead the charge from the front this year. The emergence from the likes of Cam Lovig and Joe Dodd in recent seasons hasn’t gone unnoticed with Jackson Merrett’s number one task as new coach to find that next crop of East Point players to get them into the finals.

Lake Wendouree

Key ins: Mick Foster (Donald), Liam Holmes (South Barwon), Matt McCulloch (Taylor’s Lakes), Aiden Laffy (Horsham Demons), Tom Zampatto (St Josephs), Flynn Loader (Western Vic Rebels)

Key outs: Fergus Greene (Hawthorn), Cooper Brennan, Robbie Emmerson Jones (Bungaree), Mitch Phillips (Melbourne)

Prediction: 10th

Only one-win last year for rookie coach Jack Fitzpatrick seems disappointing on paper, but there was signs of gradual improvement as the year went on for the Lakers. The goal in season 2023 is simple… don’t finish on the bottom.

Melton

Key ins: Jonathan O’Brien (North Ballarat), James McVey (WRFL), Nathan Haynes (NFNL), Ben Archard (returning)

Key outs: Brenton Payne (Port Melbourne VFL), Billy Crofts (Caroline Springs), M.Orr, James Hickey, Lachlan Hickey, Dan O’Leary, Brock Kennedy

Prediction: 2nd

From the hunters to now the hunted, the Bloods again look like the pick of the eastern bloc. Their forward line remains out of this world with the Carters and captain Braedan Kight, however a little bit of departure in the off-season does lead many to think they are certainly beatable. Aaron Tymms is a smart operator and Melton’s ability to capitalise on one-point players has been marvelled externally for years now with again the Bloodhood the key ingredient to success.

Melton South

Key ins: Phillip Moimoi (Geelong West), Cassius White (Hillside), Tevita Hallett-Tauali’I (St Kilda City), Phil Hoyland (Rockbank), Tyrell Lafituanai (St Kilda City), Aydin Reilly (St Kilda City)

Key outs: S Wyatt (Point Cook), Br Sullivan (Melton), B Sullivan (Darley), B Lloyd (Horsham), D Conway (retired)

Prediction: 11th

Sorry Panther’s fans it is going to be another long year with again the wooden spoon tag floating around by pundits. With new co-coaches and a new captain in Cody Chapman it has to be said that Melton South are going about another re-build the right way. No Sullivan’s, No Wyatt, No Lloyd and No Conway suggest there is no real chance in the Panthers making finals.

North Ballarat

Key ins: Stewart Crameri (Maryborough)

Key outs: R Hobbs, T Spiers (Caroline Springs), J O’Brien (Melton), C Perks (Barwon Heads), R Luke (Beaufort), F Toose (Springbank), M Tate, M Wilson

Prediction: 3rd

Some huge outs but one massive addition in former AFL player Stewart Crameri, North Ballarat could be one of this seasons big improvers. Last year, Brendan McCartney’s men were crippled with injury inside there forward 50 but adding Crameri to support the returning Tom Hotchin and the ever-dangerous Josh Chatfield, could see the Roosters return to the sparkling form that we saw in the COVID interrupted 2021 season.

Redan

Key ins: Will Madden (Tiwi Bombers), Nicholas Kelson (Minyip Murtoa), Ryan Jerrera (Point Cook)

Key outs: S Aberdeen, Cooper Atchison (Albion)

Prediction: 8th

A young list with a new coach, Redan face an uphill battle to sneak their way back into the finals. The key man again will be the driving force from midfield in captain Lachie George but coach Gary Learmonth will be looking to the graft Isaac Grant to bag goals week after week.

Sebastopol

Key ins: Jesse Clark (Werribee VFL), Jay Dahlhaus (Werribee VFL), Liam Latch (Maryborough), Nicholas Sanders (St Josephs), Ryan Birthesel (St Josephs), Cameron Jackson (Bungaree)

Key outs: J Richards, B Trew (injury)

Prediction: 1st

After falling agonizingly short the last couple of seasons, many pundits do believe the Burras time is now! A massive recruitment haul in the off season bolsters a strong retention list, leading to the premiership favourite tag. An organised backline led by captain Tony Lockyer and the dangerous James Keeble at the other end, Sebas has all the ingredients to recipe needed to win their first BFL flag.

Sunbury

Key ins: J. Garisto (Aberfeldie), R. Karpany (Coburg), C. Brand (Essendon)

Key outs: J. Eales (Kyneton), D. Toman (Woodend), H. Ross (Riddell)

Prediction: 4th

Despite only winning five games in season 2022, the Lions remarkably held a percentage over 100 but finished ninth. The back of end season form and losses when leading at three quarter time cost Travis Hodgson’s men a finals berth last year. Flip that around this year and finals are certainly on the cards. The addition of Lions junior and former AFL Cody Brand gives them a key pillar in defence and maybe he the catalyst needed in hanging on in those tight games.