2023 BFNL CLUB PREVIEWS

By Todd Whelan

CLUB: Bacchus Marsh
COACH: Jason Williams (new)

ON THE RECORD:
(Todd): Well Jason, your first-year assignment as coach of the Cobras has been made tougher with a number of key player exits in the off season. What type of play can we expect from the new group under your tutelage?
(Jason): We’re setting up to be a side that is hard to move the ball against with an emphasis on pressuring the ball carrier. Offence looms an exciting prospect for us on the back of youth promotion and potential ‘ins’.
(Todd): Talented duo in tall Luke Goetz and small Jake McCreery are welcomed additions. What can you tell us about these two?
(Jason): Luke is a quality person with a big heart who thrives with interaction. He will be a highly valued and popular clubman. Jake’s highlights reel suggests he’s capable of anything. He takes pride in his performance and is very excited about wearing the Cobras jumper for the first time.
(Todd): Is the club willing to concede this year a redevelopment phase without focus on win/loss or are you confident overcoming who many predict a challenging road ahead?
(Jason): No, I’m not willing to concede anything until the matter of facts are done. I don’t deal in probability, rather certainty.
(Todd): Two part question – Are you familiar with the BFNL and secondly what has been your first impressions of your new club?
(Jason): I live in Sunbury and was a junior at the club. I coached a lot of Sunday games last year and was able to see a number of their games. And given my history with the Calder Cannons I’m quite familiar with a few names. As for my first impressions of Bacchus Marsh? – See identified strengths!
(Todd): What are 3 non-negotiables you’d have written on the white board for your players on match day to adhere to?
(Jason): Pride in the jumper, pride in yourself and show that you care.

IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS:
(Jason): Off field infrastructure is in a good space with access to medicos, physios etc. I’ve been blown away by the quality of people at this club who just want to help and be a part of something they believe in. Also, our junior program is very strong with a number of players vying for NAB league selection.

PROJECTED IMPROVEMENT:
(Jason): To facilitate a level of enjoyment, club unity and general wellbeing of the club.

PRE-SEASON TRAINING:
(Jason): Really good. Feedback has been positive and the buy-in great. Boys have welcomed the change and sensing a complete cultural shift around the place for the better.

PLAYER INS:
L.Goetz (Bell Park), J.McReery (Cove SA), J.Long (Collingwood VFL), Roy George (see U-Tube clips), M.Smith-Bye (Ballan).

PLAYER OUTS:
D.Burton (Pt 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 (work), J.Robinson, M.Culliver

VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS:
L.Goetz (Carlton), J.Long (Collingwood).

IMPROVERS: (OUTSIDE OF B/MARSH)
(Jason): Darley – Dan Jordan is a high-quality coach, I’ve enormous respect for him.

FLAG TIP: (OUTSIDE OF B/MARSH)
(Jason): Darley

Todd’s Bacchus Marsh prediction – 9th – 11th

Part 2 with more club previews in the 28 March edition.