THE 2023 BFNL SEASON DRAW

Local footy writer Todd Whelan analyses the fallout of this season’s proposed draw for 2023, ranking them in order from easiest to hardest…

1. Melton – 85 (48,37)

Play TWICE: Bacchus Marsh, East Point, Melton South, Sunbury, Darley, Lake Wendouree

Travel WEST: THREE times – North Ballarat (Rd4), Redan (Rd5), East Point (Rd7).

WEST ‘highway travel’ record last TWO home and away seasons: P6 W4, L2

PROS: Play only TWO of last year’s finalists TWICE East Point, Darley. Just THREE trips to Ballarat all done by Rd7. The Bloods’ SECOND HALF season (37 draw points) is considered to be the EASIEST according to the formula – comfortably – (Ballarat (H), Lake Wendouree (H), Bacchus Marsh (A), East Point (H), Melton South (A), Sunbury (H), Darley (H), Lake Wendouree (A). Play FOUR of bottom FIVE from last year TWICE.

CONS: THREE trips to BALLARAT in FOUR weeks (Rd4-Rd7), Not a lot of footy after AWAY trip to Darley (Rd8) in early June with King’s Birthday, Bye, Ballarat (H), (Interleague) to follow. Essentially play (not inc. Interleague) 1 game in a month.

Comment:
Hard to beat – should reach the magic number 12 wins to guarantee 1,2 finish (W14/L2 last year). While there is one or two prickly parts to their draw (mainly inconvenience), so there should be for the BFNL’s reigning Premiers. Rank the easiest draw in my book.

2. Sebastopol – 87 (44,43)

Play TWICE: Lake Wendouree, Melton South, North Ballarat, East Point, Ballarat, Redan.

Travel EAST: THREE times: Melton (Rd3), Darley (Rd11), Melton South (Rd13).

EAST ‘highway travel’ record (last two home and away seasons): P5 W3, L2

PROS: Play just THREE teams from 2022 Finals TWICE (North Ballarat, East Point, Ballarat), leave BALLARAT only once before Rd11. Play bottom TWO sides from last year TWICE (Lake Wendouree, Melton South).

CONS: Very little. Hat trick of AWAY games Rd11, 12, 13. Even two of those against bottom TWO from last year.

Comment:
I’d be clutching at straws to find reason why the ‘Burra wouldn’t be rapt with their draw. No excuses.

3. Darley – 89 (47,42)

Play TWICE: Bacchus Marsh, Lake Wendouree, North Ballarat, Melton South, Melton, Sunbury.

Travel WEST: FOUR times: Ballarat (Rd1), East Point (Rd3), Lake Wendouree (Rd7), North Ballarat (Rd15)

WEST ‘highway travel’ record (last two home and away seasons): P8 W2, L6

PROS: Play just TWO teams from 2022 finalists TWICE (North Ballarat, Melton). Play FOUR of bottom FIVE sides from last year twice (Bacchus Marsh, Lake Wendouree, Melton South, Sunbury). Leave HOME just TWICE after Rd7 (North Ballarat Rd15, Melton Rd17).

CONS: First SIX games AWAY including THREE in the WEST. Coach Dan Jordan will need the Devils on the ball early to bank crucial Premiership points on the road – (Ballarat, Bacchus Marsh, East Point, Bye, Sunbury, Melton South, Lake Wendouree). Only TWO of the SIX made finals last year (Ballarat, East Point).
Cop bogie side and Premiers Melton TWICE – haven’t beaten the Bloods since April 2017.

Comment:
If the draw is any indication, the Devils should make finals for a second consecutive year under Dan Jordan even though they’ll have to wait til Round 8 for their first home game (exp new facility completion). Similar to Melton and Sebastopol, no excuses here despite a very even competition.

For Todd Whelan’s full report including all 11 teams, view Page 20 the 7 March edition of the Moorabool News here.